Zero Trust
Zero Trust is a security framework based on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” It assumes that no user, device, or application should be inherently trusted, whether inside or outside the network perimeter. Instead, every access request is continuously verified using identity, device posture, and context. Zero Trust reduces attack surfaces, limits lateral movement, and strengthens resilience against both external and insider threats.
What is Zero Trust?
Zero Trust is a modern security model that enforces strict identity and access controls. Unlike traditional perimeter-based security, which trusts users and devices inside the network, Zero Trust treats every access request as potentially malicious. It validates user identity, device compliance, and risk signals before granting the minimum necessary access. Core technologies include multi-factor authentication (MFA), identity governance, micro-segmentation, and continuous monitoring.
Why is Zero Trust important?
With hybrid work, cloud adoption, and growing cyberattacks, traditional perimeter defenses are no longer sufficient. Zero Trust is important because it: - Reduces risk from compromised credentials and insider threats. - Prevents lateral movement by limiting over-privileged access. - Ensures compliance with frameworks like NIST 800-207, GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. - Protects cloud applications, SaaS platforms, and APIs in dynamic environments.
What are the key principles of Zero Trust?
- Verify explicitly: Authenticate and authorize every request using all available context.
- Least privilege access: Limit users and services to the minimum access required.
- Assume breach: Design systems as if attackers are already present, with layered defenses.
- Micro-segmentation: Restrict access within networks and applications to minimize blast radius.
- Continuous monitoring: Track behavior and anomalies in real time.
How does Zero Trust work in practice?
Zero Trust integrates across identity, data, and infrastructure:
- Identity: MFA, conditional access policies, and privileged access controls.
- Device security: Checking compliance before granting access.
- Network and apps: Micro-segmentation and secure access to sensitive workloads.
- Visibility and monitoring: Logging, analytics, and automated responses to anomalous behavior.
Use Cases
- Healthcare: Secures patient data by verifying clinician access requests in real time and limiting access to specific applications.
- Financial Services: Applies strict identity verification and transaction-level monitoring to prevent fraud and insider abuse.
- Government & Legal: Protects sensitive systems by enforcing least privilege and continuous monitoring of user activity.
- Cloud & SaaS Providers: Implements tenant isolation and identity-based access to APIs and workloads, reducing shared responsibility risks.
How Netwrix can help
Netwrix enables Zero Trust adoption by combining identity-first protection with comprehensive data security visibility. With solutions for Identity Management, Privileged Access Management (PAM), Endpoint Management, ITDR, and Data Security Posture Management (DSPM), Netwrix helps organizations:
- Enforce least privilege and strong authentication across hybrid IT.
- Monitor and detect anomalous behavior to stop threats early.
- Classify and protect sensitive data against unauthorized access.
- Spot and contain identity-based threats before they spread.
- Continuously audit access, configurations, and user activity for compliance.
This ensures Zero Trust is not just a framework but an achievable, measurable practice that reduces risk and builds organizational trust.
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View related architectural concepts
Segregation of Duties (SoD)
Least Privilege
Segmentation and Micro-Segmentation
Security by Design
Endpoint Detection and Response