Identify and classify all assets, users, applications, and data
Define trust boundaries and protect all network segments
Enforce strong identity verification for every access request
Require multi-factor authentication for all users and administrators
Apply least privilege access to users, devices, and services
Use role-based and attribute-based access control
Continuously verify device health and compliance before granting access
Implement device posture checks and endpoint management
Segment networks and isolate critical systems
Encrypt data in transit and at rest
Monitor all traffic, users, and system activity continuously
Centralize logging, alerting, and security analytics
Use behavioral analytics to detect anomalies and threats
Automate policy enforcement and access decisions
Secure APIs, applications, and service-to-service communication
Regularly patch systems, applications, and firmware
Remove implicit trust from internal networks
Use just-in-time and just-enough access for privileged actions
Protect credentials with vaulting and rotation
Validate and restrict third-party and vendor access
Test and update policies through continuous assessment
Conduct regular security audits and access reviews
Integrate zero trust into cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments
Train users and administrators on secure access practices