What does the term ‘zero-trust security model’ mean?

The term ‘zero-trust security model’ refers to a framework that mandates verification from every user and device attempting to access resources, regardless of their physical or network location. This model is predicated on the principle that threats can exist both outside and inside the organization, making it essential to verify the authenticity of every access attempt.

In a zero-trust environment, no user or device is inherently trusted, and continuous verification is a key component. This could entail multi-factor authentication, least privilege access, and ongoing security assessments. The focus is on securing data and resources based on identity and context rather than assuming that users or devices within the network perimeter can be trusted by default.

The other options reflect misunderstandings of the zero-trust philosophy. For instance, a strategy to prevent all breaches suggests an unrealistic guarantee, while claiming the approach trusts all users within a network contradicts the core tenet of zero-trust security. Allowing unrestricted access to internal systems also misrepresents zero-trust principles, as this approach would expose the organization to significant vulnerabilities.