Modern Biotech laboratories are on-premise, heterogeneous in nature and usually employ best of breed equipment that comprise a selection of software and instruments from different vendors. Most of the deployments were designed for a traditional perimeter firewall architecture and require an open network to function.
Enterprise managed networks have evolved to a modern Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA). ZTA operates on a “Never Trust, Always Verify” paradigm, which assumes the network is insecure and all components must continually authenticate to access services. In order to apply ZTA to a typical lab environment, some Core Architectural Pillars should be followed. Deciding these pillars up front will speed up deployment of the Laboratory equipment.
Core Architectural Pillars
- Network Segmentation: Reduce the blast radius by segmenting the laboratory network into separate VLANs. Isolate IoT devices and systems that “phone home” to Cloud SaaS services.
- Device Inventory and Assessment: Each lab device needs to be inventoried and undergo a configuration review of required connectivity to cloud services, network services, file servers or database servers. (e.g., understanding of ports required to open on the firewall). This process also enables network monitoring systems to establish an accurate baseline of expected behavior.
- Identity Access Management (IAM): How do devices authenticate on ZTA networks, and Windows on Active Directory? Linux based instruments might be born out of academic labs and this might be the first time they have been deployed on an Enterprise managed Network. IAM must be addressed upfront in the deployment.
- Data Management: Data is generated in the lab and needs to be transferred to upstream processing. A data-flow review is needed to protect the data acquired and when to apply encryption.
Operational Considerations in Zero Trust Architecture Laboratory Environments
ZTA Architecture is generally plug and play with modern cloud apps, but laboratories are on premise, potentially resulting in ZTA deployment gaps that can make Day-to-Day Operations challenging. Some additional considerations may need to be set up as operational procedures:
- Identity Management: Scientists may be using multiple instruments throughout the day, and how often they login will affect their productivity and quality of life. Multifactor Authentication (MFA) may be restricted as labs may not allow phones.
- Shared Operational Accounts: Some experiments may require operation over a few days and may be monitored by scientists in shifts. How do you ensure appropriate identity and access controls in a shared operational environment?
- Operating System (OS) Patching: Instrument vendor recommendations are based on maximum stability of the equipment and have in the past recommended not patching systems. In modern enterprise environments, this approach is increasingly impractical and some level of OS patching is necessary. At scale, automated patching is pushed out from the management servers, but they usually require a reboot, which may disrupt an experimental assay. Policies and procedures for managing patch policies, exceptions and user interactions need to be defined. You do not want to lose an assay run due to unattended reboots.
The shift from perimeter firewall to a Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) has introduced more steps when deploying instruments in a modern enterprise network. However, when core architectural pillars are defined upfront, laboratory instruments can be deployed quickly and effectively, achieving a resilient and secure laboratory with high uptime.
How Kalleid Can Help
At Kalleid, we specialize in guiding biotech organizations through complex transitions like adopting a Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) in laboratory environments. Our professional services are tailored to ensure seamless integration of lab instruments into secure, modern networks while minimizing disruptions to scientific workflows. Here’s how our expertise can support your deployment:
- Project Management: We provide end-to-end project oversight to streamline the rollout of ZTA in your labs. From initial planning and pillar definition to execution and go-live, our certified project managers coordinate vendors, IT teams, and lab personnel to accelerate deployments and reduce risks associated with heterogeneous equipment.
- Core Architecture Assessment: We provide a Core Architecture Assessment to review current architecture and baseline procedures. This will identify gaps that will serve as a starting point for determining project milestones and implementation priority.
- Organizational Change Management: Transitioning to ZTA often involves cultural and procedural shifts for lab teams. We help manage this change by developing customized strategies to address user impacts (e.g., MFA restrictions or shared account protocols), fostering adoption while maintaining productivity and compliance.
- Testing and Validation: To verify that lab systems function reliably in a segmented, zero-trust network, we can perform rigorous testing of connectivity, authentication, and data transfer processes. This includes simulating real-world scenarios to validate baselines for network monitoring and ensure no disruptions to assays or experiments.
- Chemistry Data Migration: Biotech labs generate vast amounts of sensitive chemical data that must be securely transferred in a ZTA framework. Our specialists handle data migration with encryption protocols, compliance checks (e.g., for HIPAA or GDPR), and integration with upstream systems, protecting intellectual property throughout the process.
- Training and Documentation: We deliver targeted training programs for scientists and IT staff on ZTA-specific procedures, such as identity management, patching policies, and secure data handling. Additionally, we create comprehensive documentation – including user guides, exception policies, and operational playbooks – to support ongoing maintenance and high uptime.
By partnering with Kalleid, you can confidently navigate the complexities of ZTA in biotech labs, turning potential challenges into opportunities for enhanced security and innovation. Contact us to discuss how we can customize these services for your unique environment.
About The Author
Brian Go
Brian Go, is a Principal Consultant for Kalleid, Inc. He brings over 25 years of specialized Biotech and Bioinformatics experience. Trained as a medicinal chemist, he developed a strong command of the drug discovery and development process, recognizing early the essential role of computational tools. His career spans collaborations with Big Pharma, Emerging Biotechs, and Contract Research Laboratories (CRO), including many top-tier pharmaceutical companies. Brian’s deep understanding of laboratory instrumentation is key to his success in selecting and integrating complex Informatics Systems—LIMS, ELN, and SDMS—across diverse research, development, and regulated environments.