How to Segment SSH and RDP for Zero Trust Success 

RDP and SSH remain top targets for attackers because they offer direct access to the systems that matter most. As covered in our earlier post (Why You Should Segment RDP & SSH), segmenting these high-risk protocols is one of the fastest, most effective ways to reduce lateral movement and tighten remote access controls. But how do you get started with microsegmentation? And how do you segment SSH and RDP in a way that balances security, usability, and operational efficiency? 

The answer lies in a phased, pragmatic approach that prioritizes high-impact wins without overcomplicating deployment. 

High-Risk Protocols vs. Complex Workloads 

If you are just getting started with microsegmentation, you might be asking, “Why start with RDP and SSH instead of databases, APIs, or other workloads?” The reality is that while web services and data stores may also require segmentation, they’re usually more specialized, used by fewer people, and often tightly integrated into custom application stacks. Trying to segment these workloads too early can turn into a logistical maze of interdependencies, where few understand the full picture. 

By contrast, RDP and SSH are broadly used and frequently exploited. They often span development, operations, and support teams. These protocols also tend to be more uniform, with standardized ports and access behaviors. Segmenting them first provides faster results and lays a solid foundation for future segmentation efforts. 

Implementation Strategies 

Getting segmentation right starts with visibility. Begin by taking an inventory of all systems that allow remote administration through RDP or SSH. Many organizations uncover forgotten servers or legacy systems still accepting remote logins. Once inventoried, classify these endpoints by function and criticality. 

Next, define user groups and how they should map to different microsegmentation policies. For instance, the operations team might only require SSH access to a set of Linux servers, while the help desk team might need RDP access to Windows machines. Each group gets a tailored microsegmentation policy in line with the principle of least privilege—no one should have more access than they need.  

Then, test these policies in a controlled environment to validate that legitimate tasks can still occur without disruption. 

Policy Creation and Organizational Alignment 

It’s important to remember that technology alone won’t deliver results unless the organization is aligned. Microsegmentation policies should reflect business needs, not just network topologies. That means bringing network, security, and operations teams into the same room to decide who should access what, and from where. 

For example, policies should be clear about whether SSH access from external contractors is permitted, or if RDP sessions must be routed through a specific jump host. Once these decisions are made, enforce them with your microsegmentation platform or next-gen firewall. Make sure there’s a process to periodically review and refine policies as roles and systems evolve. 

Monitoring and Alerts

Once segmentation is live, monitoring becomes essential. Early detection of anomalies can help refine policies and catch misconfigurations. Over time, as the microsegmentation solution proves its worth, expand it to include additional protocols like database connections (e.g., MySQL, MSSQL) or management APIs (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).  

This iterative method ensures the organization reaps immediate security benefits from controlling RDP and SSH, while laying the groundwork for broader segmentation efforts. 

Containing Potential Breaches 

From a threat standpoint, the gains are substantial. Consider a scenario where an attacker compromises an SSH login on a development server. Without microsegmentation, they might pivot from that development server to staging servers, then to production servers, exploring each layer until they find valuable data.  

With microsegmentation, each environment is isolated, and every SSH connection requires explicit approval. The moment an attacker tries to move beyond the compromised host, they are blocked. Although the initial breach is a concern, it remains contained. This containment approach can be the difference between a minor incident and a catastrophic breach. 

Start Simple, Scale Smart

The benefits of segmenting RDP and SSH are immediate – reduced attack surface, blocked lateral movement, faster compliance wins, and a clear step forward in zero trust adoption. It’s a high-return starting point that proves the value of microsegmentation—before expanding to more complex workloads. 

As you build confidence and see results, the same strategy can be extended to deeper parts of your environment. Zero trust isn’t achieved all at once—it’s built through a series of deliberate, practical steps. Segmenting SSH and RDP is one of the most effective places to begin. 

With the 12Port Horizon platform, getting started with microsegmentation is simple. It offers network traffic visualization, automated policy enforcement, and seamless integration with Active Directory, Entra ID, VMware, AWS, and more. Its agentless architecture ensures fast deployment across physical, virtual, and cloud environments. Combined with cost-effective pricing, 12Port removes barriers to entry, making it easy for organizations and MSPs to take control of remote access risks. 

Ready to reduce your attack surface? Try 12Port today and see how easy it is to contain threats and build toward zero trust. 

The post How to Segment SSH and RDP for Zero Trust Success  appeared first on 12Port.

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from 12Port authored by Mark Klinchin. Read the original post at: https://www.12port.com/blog/how-to-segment-ssh-and-rdp-for-zero-trust-success/