Zero Trust Architectures: Are We There Yet?

The movement towards Zero Trust Architectures (ZTA) aligns with cybersecurity modernization strategies and practices to deter and defend against dynamic threats both inside and outside traditional enterprise perimeters. The “Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity” released from President Biden on May 12, 2021 directs executive agencies to “develop a plan to implement Zero Trust Architecture.”

The implementation of ZTA requires the integration of existing and new capabilities, as well as buy-in across the enterprise. Successful implementations will require multi-year planning that includes determination of drivers and use cases, policy development, architecture development, technology readiness assessment, pilots, user training, and phasing of deployments. This ZTA Tech Watcher report provides background, applicability and benefits to organizations, outstanding challenges and issues, and recommendations.