What does the zero trust model in cyber security emphasize?

The zero trust model in cyber security emphasizes a security paradigm that operates on the premise that no user or system should be trusted by default, regardless of their location within or outside an organization’s network. This model fundamentally shifts the traditional security approach, which often relied on implicit trust based on a user's geographic location or their presence within the internal network.

By assuming that threats can originate both from outside and within the network, zero trust advocates a "never trust, always verify" philosophy. This means that every access request must be thoroughly authenticated, authorized, and encrypted. This model mitigates risks associated with internal threats, such as compromised accounts or malicious insiders, and helps prevent data breaches by ensuring stringent access controls are maintained across all users and devices.

The focus is not only on securing the perimeter but also on protecting individual resources through continuous verification of user identities and strict enforcement of policies. This paradigm shift is becoming increasingly vital as cyber threats evolve and organizations adopt more complex environments, including cloud services and remote work scenarios.