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Zero trust strategy explained: principles and best practices

Traditional perimeter defenses can’t keep up with cloud, remote work, and insider threats. Zero trust offers a smarter, more resilient path forward for organizations looking to secure their networks.

Keep reading to learn the core principles of zero trust, its business benefits, and the steps to build a stronger security framework.

Key takeaways

  • Zero trust eliminates implicit trust by verifying every user, device, and request in real time.

  • The strategy reduces breach risk, limits attacker movement, and strengthens compliance with frameworks like GDPR and HIPAA.

  • Core principles include continuous verification, least privilege access, and an assumed breach mindset.

  • Organizations can start small with steps like MFA and network segmentation, then scale toward a full zero trust framework over time.

Ready to put a zero trust architecture into action? Download the free ebook, How to go from MFA to zero trust to see how organizations can move from basic MFA to a comprehensive zero trust strategy.

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What is a zero trust strategy?

A zero trust strategy is a cybersecurity framework that assumes no user or device inside or outside your network should be trusted by default. Every access request must be continuously verified before granting entry to applications, data, or systems.

At its core, zero trust follows the principle of “never trust, always verify.” Rather than granting broad access after a single login, it continuously checks credentials, device health, and context to ensure ongoing legitimacy.

The concept gained traction in the early 2010s, popularized by Forrester Research analyst John Kindervag, as a response to the weaknesses of perimeter-based security. Traditional models, such as castle-and-moat architecture, VPN-centric remote access, and firewall-driven perimeter defenses, operated on the assumption that once you were inside the network, you were trustworthy. In some cases, access was granted based solely on IP ranges or one-time authentication at login, creating long-lived sessions with minimal oversight.

Zero trust flips that model entirely, treating every access attempt as potentially hostile and requiring verification at every step.

​​Traditional Security

​Zero Trust Security

​Trusts internal users

​Trusts no one by default

Focus on perimeter

Focus on identity & context

​One-time authentication

Continuous verification

Implicit trust

Explicit verification

As remote work, cloud adoption, and sophisticated threats accelerate, organizations are moving away from perimeter defenses toward a zero trust model.

To better understand how zero trust differs from older approaches, it helps to define a few key terms that often come up in the conversation:

Zero trust

A security model requiring strict identity verification for every person and device, regardless of location.

Perimeter-based security

A legacy approach that secures the network boundary and assumes internal traffic is safe.

Trusted Access: User Circle Check

The assumption that internal users or devices are safe without further checks.

Why is zero trust important for modern cybersecurity?

The business case for zero trust is straightforward: it directly addresses the weaknesses that cause most breaches. Recent studies show that over 60% of incidents involve stolen credentials or insider threats, and these are issues that traditional perimeter-based defenses were never designed to stop.

With zero trust controls, access is continuously verified, making it far more difficult for attackers to exploit compromised accounts or insider misuse.

What are the benefits of zero trust?

  • Reducing the risk of data breaches

  • Limiting lateral attacker movement

  • ​Improving visibility and control

  • Supporting regulatory compliance

  • Enhancing security for remote and hybrid workforces

Regulators are also raising the bar. Frameworks like GDPR and HIPAA increasingly expect strong access controls and continuous monitoring, capabilities that are inherently baked into the zero trust framework.

​​Traditional Security Challenges

​How Zero Trust Addresses Them

​Perimeter can be bypassed

No implicit trust, verify all access

Insider threats overlooked

Continuous monitoring and verification

Difficult to secure cloud/BYOD

Identity and device-centric controls

Static access permissions

Dynamic, context-aware access

The 3 core principles of a zero trust architecture

Every zero trust deployment rests on a few core principles. These foundational ideas shape how organizations move from a perimeter-first mindset to one that continuously validates users, devices, and activity.

Continuous verification

Continuous verification means that every access request is authenticated and authorized in real-time throughout the session, not just at login. Multi-factor authentication (MFA), device health checks, and behavioral analytics all play a role. By requiring users and devices to stay trustworthy, not just appear trustworthy once, organizations close the gaps that attackers often exploit.

Least privilege access

Instead of granting broad or unrestricted access, ​​zero trust enforces the principle of least privilege, ensuring users and devices can reach only the resources required for their roles. In practice, this means restricting administrative rights, segmenting access to sensitive data, and enabling just-in-time access for critical systems. By strictly minimizing permissions, organizations significantly reduce their attack surface and contain the potential impact of compromised accounts.

Assumed breach mindset

Zero trust starts with a clear assumption: attackers will eventually find a way in. With that reality in mind, the focus shifts from prevention alone to rapid detection, containment, and response. This requires enabling tools and processes for anomaly detection, continuous monitoring, and well-prepared incident response. By operating as if every environment is already under threat, teams stay proactive rather than reactive.

The 5 pillars of a zero trust framework

Principles are the theory, and pillars are the practice.

​A zero trust framework rests on several pillars that, together, form a stronger security posture. Each ensures that access is granted based on who the user is, the state of their device, and the sensitivity of the data, rather than just where they’re connecting from.

Learn more

Identity and access control

In a zero trust model, identity becomes the new security perimeter. Strong verification of users and their devices is the foundation for every access decision. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is critical, but it can’t stop at static prompts. Adaptive MFA solutions, such as Duo Security, factor in risk, location, and context, delivering strong protection while maintaining a smooth user experience.

Device health and endpoint

Identity alone isn’t enough; zero trust also evaluates the security of the device being used. By assessing device posture, organizations can ensure only secure and compliant endpoints are granted access. Continuous monitoring helps flag outdated or compromised devices, while well-defined BYOD policies hold personal laptops and mobile devices to the same standards.

Network segmentation

Traditional flat networks make it easy for attackers to move laterally once they’re inside. Micro-segmentation solves this by dividing your network into smaller, isolated zones, meaning even if a system is compromised, the damage is contained. Software-defined perimeters and zero trust network access (ZTNA) solutions take segmentation further, dynamically enforcing who can access which zones in real time.

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Data protection

At the end of the day, the goal is to protect your organization’s data. Zero trust does this by classifying sensitive information, encrypting it in transit and at rest, and layering data loss prevention (DLP) strategies to prevent leaks. Importantly, access controls extend down to the data layer itself, not just the applications or networks that house it.

Application security

Apps are where work gets done, and zero trust makes sure they stay secure, whether they’re cloud-based, SaaS, or legacy systems still running on-prem. APIs are locked down, data exchanges are protected, and even older apps can be covered through access gateways.

How to implement a zero trust security strategy

Zero trust implementation is a journey that requires careful planning and incremental changes. Organizations can start small and build over time.

Here are five key steps to guide the process:

Map users and assets

Start with visibility. Build a comprehensive inventory of users, devices, applications, and data. Understanding how information flows across the environment is critical for identifying weak points. Automated discovery tools can help keep this inventory accurate and up to date as your ecosystem evolves.

Enforce strong authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is non-negotiable in a zero trust framework. Deploy MFA across your organization, prioritizing high-value and mission-critical applications first. Phishing-resistant methods, such as biometrics or Duo’s proximity-based verification, strengthen protection without relying on hardware tokens. Duo also accelerates speed to security with quick setup, self-enrollment, and hundreds of integrations, making it easier to deploy MFA at scale.

Micro-segment your network

Flat networks make it too easy for attackers to move laterally. Use VLANs, firewalls, and ZTNA tools to segment networks by user, device, or application. For more flexibility, consider software-defined networking. Legacy systems and operational complexity can complicate segmentation, so adopt a phased rollout to minimize disruption.

Read more about segmentation

Monitor and analyze behaviors

Once the basics are in place, shift your focus to ongoing monitoring. Track user and device activity continuously to spot potential risks. Analytics, machine learning, and user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) help detect anomalies that don’t match established baselines, giving IT teams early warning signs of compromise.

Automate responses and policy updates

Manual responses can’t keep up with fast-moving threats. Automation allows security policies to adapt in real time, enforcing dynamic access controls that change based on risk. Security orchestration tools streamline incident response, reducing workloads while improving consistency and speed.

Navigating zero trust maturity models

Maturity models provide organizations with a structured way to evaluate their current posture, set achievable targets, and plan phased improvements. By aligning security capabilities to these frameworks, IT teams can clearly identify strengths, expose gaps, and prioritize investments that advance zero trust adoption.

Widely recognized models from NIST, CISA, and Forrester vary in detail, but share a common progression: moving from ad hoc, inconsistent practices to fully optimized processes that are standardized, measured, and continually refined. Typical stages include:

Initial (ad hoc)

Security controls are reactive and uneven.

Developing (partial)

Some zero trust practices are in place, but adoption is inconsistent.

Defined (consistent)

Standardized processes guide implementation across the organization.

Managed (measured and optimized)

Controls are embedded, measured, and continually improved.

Progressing through these stages doesn’t happen overnight. Realistic timelines can range from several months for smaller organizations with simpler infrastructures to multiple years for enterprises with complex, global environments. The important thing is to use maturity models as a benchmarking tool—measuring progress regularly, setting achievable milestones, and scaling adoption in phases.

Common challenges and best practices

Even with a clear framework, zero trust adoption isn’t without its hurdles. Recognizing the common challenges upfront helps organizations prepare realistic strategies for overcoming them.

Addressing legacy systems

Older applications and infrastructure often lack the hooks for modern identity or segmentation controls. Rather than abandoning these systems outright, many organizations use wrappers, proxies, or segmentation to insulate them from direct exposure.

​A phased rollout is often the most practical approach: start by surrounding critical legacy assets with tighter controls, then evaluate whether modernization or replacement is cost-justified.

​Remember to prioritize legacy systems based on business impact and risk exposure, and plan gradual integration or replacement.

Avoiding user experience pitfalls

Zero trust can sometimes feel restrictive to end users if policies aren’t designed with usability in mind. Overly aggressive MFA prompts or slow access checks may frustrate employees and create workarounds.

​Leverage adaptive authentication that adjusts requirements based on context, such as device health or location. Pair rollouts with clear training, communication, and feedback loops to ensure buy-in.

Ensuring continuous policy updates

Static policies quickly lose effectiveness in dynamic IT environments. Without a structured lifecycle for reviewing and updating rules, organizations risk either over-permissive access or excessive friction.

Treat policy management as an ongoing process, not a one-and-done solution. Use automation to enforce updates in real time, supported by continuous testing to confirm that new rules improve security without breaking workflows.

Align your zero trust strategy initiatives with compliance

Regulatory obligations are a major driver of zero trust adoption for many companies. Compliance frameworks increasingly require the very capabilities that zero trust delivers by design.

  • GDPR expects strong access controls and monitoring to protect personal data.

  • HIPAA requires safeguards for electronic health information, including identity checks and audit trails.

  • PCI DSS emphasizes segmenting cardholder data environments and enforcing least-privilege access.

Map your zero trust controls directly to compliance requirements. Maintain clear documentation showing how policies, monitoring, and access enforcement align with regulatory standards. This will simplify audits and demonstrate to stakeholders that compliance and security objectives are moving in tandem.

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Start securing your organization with a zero trust strategy

Zero trust is an evolving philosophy that adapts as threats, technologies, and business models change. Organizations that adopt a zero trust framework benefit from:

  • Reduced breach risk through minimized attack surfaces.

  • ​Greater visibility across users, devices, and data flows.

  • Stronger compliance alignment without redundant overhead.

The best path forward is to start small. Deploy MFA, segment one high-value environment, and add continuous monitoring. Each step compounds into stronger resilience for your organization.

Looking ahead, automation, AI-driven anomaly detection, and cross-platform integrations will accelerate zero trust adoption across industries.

Duo Security provides adaptive MFA, device trust, and context-aware access that can help you implement the building blocks of a full zero trust framework.

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FAQs about zero trust strategy

  • What governance support is needed for a zero trust initiative?

    Executive sponsorship is critical. Zero trust impacts people, processes, and technology, so leadership must support the shift, allocate resources, and align teams around common goals.

  • How can smaller organizations adopt zero trust without large budgets?
  • What is the difference between zero trust architecture and zero trust strategy?
  • How long does implementing a zero trust framework typically take?
  • How does zero trust security differ from traditional cybersecurity models?

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