Zero Trust

What is Zero Trust?

Zero Trust is a cybersecurity framework based on the principle "never trust, always verify." Unlike traditional perimeter-based security, Zero Trust treats every access request as potentially hostile, regardless of whether it originates inside or outside the network.

Access decisions are made using multiple signals such as identity, device posture, location, behavior, and risk level.

Why Zero Trust matters

Zero Trust is designed to:

• Reduce the impact of compromised credentials
• Limit lateral movement after a breach
• Protect cloud-first and remote work environments
• Improve visibility and access control
• Align security with modern identity-centric architectures

It directly addresses the reality that breaches are inevitable.

Core principles of Zero Trust

Zero Trust implementations typically follow these principles:

• Verify explicitly – authenticate and authorize every request
• Use least privilege – grant only necessary access
• Assume breach – design controls expecting compromise

These principles are applied continuously, not just at login.

Key components of a Zero Trust architecture

A Zero Trust strategy commonly includes:

1) Identity-centric access

• Strong identity verification (MFA, passwordless)
• Risk-based and conditional access

2) Device trust

• Device compliance and health checks
• Endpoint detection and response (EDR)

3) Network segmentation

• Microsegmentation and restricted lateral movement
• Application-level access controls

4) Continuous monitoring

• Behavior analytics and anomaly detection
• Real-time risk evaluation

Zero Trust vs traditional security

Traditional model	Zero Trust model
Trust inside the network	No implicit trust
Perimeter-focused	Identity- and context-focused
Static access rules	Dynamic, risk-based access
Limited visibility	Continuous monitoring

Zero Trust in cloud and enterprise environments

Zero Trust is especially relevant for:

• SaaS and cloud workloads
• Hybrid and remote workforces
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scenarios
• API and microservices architectures

Modern platforms implement Zero Trust using identity, device management, and policy engines rather than firewalls alone.

Common Zero Trust misconceptions

• "Zero Trust is a product"
• "Zero Trust removes the need for networks"
• "Once implemented, trust is permanent"
• "Zero Trust is only for large enterprises"

Zero Trust is a strategy and architecture, not a single tool.

Zero Trust and attack mitigation

Zero Trust helps mitigate:

• Phishing and credential theft
• Lateral movement after footholds
• OAuth token abuse
• Insider threats
• Unmanaged or compromised devices

It does not prevent all attacks but reduces blast radius.

How to start with Zero Trust

Organizations typically begin by:

• Enforcing MFA everywhere
• Centralizing identity and access policies
• Auditing privileged access
• Improving device visibility and compliance
• Gradually replacing perimeter assumptions

Zero Trust adoption is incremental, not "all or nothing."