Zero Trust

Zero trust is a security model that eliminates implicit trust from an organization's network architecture. Instead of assuming that users and devices inside the network perimeter are trustworthy, zero trust requires continuous verification of identity, device health, and authorization for every access request — regardless of where it originates.

Core Principles

• Never trust, always verify — Every access request is authenticated and authorized, even from inside the corporate network
• Least privilege access — Users and systems receive only the minimum access needed to perform their function
• Assume breach — Design security controls as though the network is already compromised, limiting lateral movement
• Continuous verification — Authentication and authorization are not one-time events but ongoing throughout the session
• Micro-segmentation — Network resources are segmented into small zones, preventing an attacker who compromises one segment from reaching others

Key Components

Implementing zero trust typically involves:

• Identity and access management — Strong authentication (MFA), single sign-on, and conditional access policies
• Device trust — Verifying device health, compliance posture, and management status before granting access
• Network segmentation — Micro-segmenting the network to contain lateral movement
• Data protection — Encrypting data at rest and in transit, with data-centric access controls
• Monitoring and analytics — Continuous monitoring of user behavior, device status, and network traffic for anomalies

Compliance Alignment

NIST SP 800-207 provides the definitive zero trust architecture guidance. Federal agencies are mandated to adopt zero trust principles, and FedRAMP increasingly incorporates zero trust concepts.

ISO 27001 does not reference zero trust by name, but its controls for access management, network security, and monitoring align closely with zero trust principles.

SOC 2 Common Criteria for logical access controls are well-served by zero trust implementations, which provide strong evidence of access control effectiveness.

Getting Started

Zero trust is not a product you buy — it is a strategy you implement incrementally. Start with identity: enforce MFA everywhere, implement conditional access policies, and adopt least-privilege access. Then extend to device trust and network segmentation. Full zero trust maturity takes years, but each step improves security posture and supports compliance objectives.