Isn’t it worse when you get targeted through the one point you least expected?

You might have established a comprehensive security plan for almost all possible entry points or vulnerabilities, including firewalls, antivirus software, employee training, and regular software updates. But that one forgotten or overlooked endpoint, like maybe an old server, a vendor account no one uses anymore, or an employee’s personal device that ends up being the way in.

It’s the worst! But not for attackers! This is exactly what they want.

They want you to shift your focus towards obvious threats so that they can easily slip through the cracks. They rely on the fact that many internal systems are trusted by default. And once they get access to one, they can move laterally and wreak havoc on your entire system.

This is why security custodians say “trust no one”. This is not paranoia but zero trust!

Zero Trust means you don’t automatically trust anything or anyone, not even things already inside your network. Every person, device, or app must prove they’re safe every time they try to connect or access something.

Let’s understand what exactly is zero trust and what principles it is based on.

What is the Zero Trust Approach?

As we established earlier, zero trust is about trusting no one or anything by default, which includes even your internal systems. Just because something is inside your network or looks familiar doesn’t mean it’s safe.

The concept was first introduced in 2010 by John Kindervag, who was a security analyst at Forrester Research. Since then, it’s become a go-to strategy for companies around the world.

Before this, most companies followed what’s called a “trust but verify” approach. Basically, if someone was already inside the network, like working from the office or logged in through VPN, they were trusted by default. The system just assumed they were safe. But that’s risky. Hackers can get in by using stolen passwords, old accounts no one’s watching, or devices that aren’t secure. And once they’re inside, they can move around quietly and do a lot of damage before anyone even notices.

That’s exactly what Zero Trust is designed to prevent. It works on the idea that no request, whether it’s from a person, device, or app, should be trusted automatically. Instead, everything must be verified first, no matter where it’s coming from.

What are the Core Principles of the Zero Trust Approach?

Here are the core principles that guide this approach:

Verify Every Request, No Matter What

Every time someone or something tries to access your system, you need to check who they are and whether they should be allowed in. It doesn’t matter if they’re inside the office or working remotely. You don’t assume they’re safe just because they’ve been around before. You check their identity, the device they’re using, and whether everything looks normal. This must be done every time they request access.

Limit Access To Your Systems

Only give people or systems access to what they actually need to do their job. That’s it. If someone just needs to view something, they shouldn’t be able to change or delete it. This ensures that your ecosystem is actually safe with no chance of uninvited guests slipping through. And when things go wrong, the damage is not as grave as it otherwise could have been.

Zero Trust also uses identity-based segmentation. Instead of relying on fixed network zones, access is controlled based on the identity and role of the user or device. This makes it easier to manage, especially in dynamic environments like remote work or cloud-based systems.

Assume Something Will Go Wrong

Because that’s only when you will have your guards up at all times!

Zero Trust works on the idea that a breach can happen at any time, even from inside the network. So instead of waiting for signs of trouble, it builds security in a way that’s ready for it.

This means limiting how far an attacker can go, even if they manage to gain access. It also means keeping a constant eye on systems, so unusual activity can be noticed early. By assuming something could go wrong, you’re always prepared to act quickly and contain the impact.

Don’t Connect Everything With Everything

In many traditional networks, once someone is inside, they can move around easily. That’s a big risk. If one system gets compromised, attackers can use it as a stepping stone to reach more sensitive parts of your network.

Zero Trust avoids this by breaking the network into smaller, controlled sections — a process known as micro-segmentation. Each section has its own access rules, and just because someone has access to one area doesn’t mean they can access another. This helps stop threats from spreading. Even if an attacker gains access to one part of the system, they encounter a barrier when attempting to move further. It’s like closing all the doors inside a building, not just locking the main entrance.

Wrapping Up

Zero trust is not a tool or product that you deploy to protect your systems. It’s more like a strategic approach that advises organizations to stop placing their trust in users, devices, or applications without first verifying them. Just because you know a user or have an internal system that doesn’t stir suspicion, doesn’t mean it’s safe. That’s how the worst attacks happen.

That’s why Zero Trust is built on a different mindset: “Never trust, always verify.”

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Hi, I am Daksh Kaur! I write about cybersecurity in a way that’s easy to understand but grounded in deep research. If you’d like content like this for your blog, reach out at daksh@turtlewords.com and let’s help your clients stay ahead of the emerging cyberthreats!