Zero Trust as Verify-Everywhere, Not VPN Replacement
Zero trust means every request is authenticated and authorized regardless of network location.
Key takeaways
- Identity is the new perimeter — network segmentation alone does not constitute zero trust.
- Policy decisions should be made per-request with continuous validation of device and user posture.
- Micro-segmentation limits blast radius but only works when paired with strong identity governance.
- Logging and telemetry from policy enforcement points are mandatory for incident reconstruction.
Zero trust gets marketed as “replace your VPN” but the NIST model is broader: it’s an architecture where trust is never implicit. Every access decision should be explicit, logged, and revocable.
What changed my thinking
I used to treat the corporate network as a safe zone. Zero trust reframes every service as internet-facing from a policy perspective. That shift makes attack trees more useful — you model paths assuming the attacker is already inside.
Practical rollout
Start with a high-value application and enforce device posture checks at the policy enforcement point. Don’t boil the ocean. Measure policy decision latency before expanding scope — users will reject zero trust if every click adds two seconds.
Open questions
I’m still working through how zero trust applies to legacy OT environments where continuous posture assessment isn’t feasible. That’s why this entry is budding, not evergreen.
Quotes worth keeping
Zero trust assumes there is no implicit trust granted to assets or user accounts based solely on their physical or network location.
Related notes
Backlinks
Notes that link here — connections grow in both directions.