The Need for Zero Trust
Traditional network security models assumed implicit trust for users inside the corporate perimeter. The rise of cloud computing, mobile access, and insider threats have rendered this approach obsolete.
- Eliminates implicit trust
- Requires continuous verification
- Minimizes lateral movement
Zero Trust Core Principles
Verify Explicitly
All users, devices, and services must be authenticated, authorized, and encrypted before granting access to any resources.
Examples: MFA, device attestation, posture check
Least Privilege Access
Only provide the minimum level of access required for a user to perform their job function.
Examples: Dynamic RBAC, session-based permissions
Assume Compromise
Treat your entire environment as already breached and constantly monitor for suspicious activity.
Examples: Detection systems, real-time monitoring
How to Implement Zero Trust
Identity Verification
Require multi-factor authentication and device attestation for all access attempts.
Network Segmentation
Divide your infrastructure into isolated zones with micro-segmentation and zero-trust network policies.
Continuous Monitoring
Implement real-time analytics and detection systems to identify suspicious patterns and anomalies.
Zero Trust Implementation
Adopting Zero Trust requires cultural change: it's not just a technological implementation, but also an enterprise-wide security mindset.
Zero Trust vs Traditional Security
Traditional Perimeter-based model
Zero Trust Model
Every request is verified and access is granted based on real-time context, not location.
- Verify identity & device every time
- Least privilege-based access
- Real-time risk assessment
The traditional model assumes trust by default until proven otherwise. Zero Trust verifies continuously.
Test Your Knowledge
Least privilege access
Access grants only minimal required privileges
Correct!
This is a core Zero Trust principle
Open trust model
Grant trust by default