A Zero Trust Framework is a cybersecurity model that operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” It assumes that threats can exist both inside and outside an organization’s network and therefore requires continuous authentication, authorization, and validation of every user and device attempting to access resources, regardless of location.
Key Concepts:
- Least Privilege Access: Users and systems are granted only the minimum access rights necessary to perform their tasks.
- Microsegmentation: Network resources are divided into smaller zones to limit lateral movement in case of a breach.
- Continuous Monitoring: Every access request, connection, and data flow is inspected and logged to detect anomalies in real time.
- Identity-Centric Security: Authentication relies on strong identity verification through MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication), SSO (Single Sign-On), and adaptive access controls.
Purpose:
The goal of Zero Trust is to reduce the attack surface, prevent unauthorized access, and improve resilience against insider threats and advanced cyberattacks by eliminating implicit trust within an organization’s IT environment.
Examples of Zero Trust Frameworks:
- NIST SP 800-207 (U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology)
- Microsoft Zero Trust Architecture
- Google BeyondCorp
- CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model
Benefits:
- Strengthens data and system security
- Enables secure remote work and cloud adoption
- Enhances compliance with standards like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS
- Reduces breach impact and lateral attack movement
Related Terms:
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Network Segmentation
- Endpoint Security
- Security Posture Management
- Continuous Authentication