A security framework that operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify," requiring authentication and authorization for every user and device attempting to access network resources, regardless of their location relative to the network perimeter. Zero Trust assumes that threats can exist both inside and outside the network.

Core Principles

Zero Trust architecture is built on several fundamental principles: verify explicitly using multiple data sources, apply least privilege access controls, and assume breach scenarios when designing security controls. This approach moves away from traditional perimeter-based security models toward identity-centric and device-centric security verification.

Implementation Components

Zero Trust implementations typically include multi-factor authentication, endpoint device compliance checking, network microsegmentation, and continuous monitoring of user and device behavior. The architecture requires comprehensive visibility into network traffic, user activities, and device states to make real-time access decisions.