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When it comes to cybersecurity, the days of ‘trust but verify’ are long gone.
Organisations need a ‘never trust, always verify’ approach. Better known. As Zero Trust.
Zero Trust is one of the most misunderstood concepts in security.
Many think it’s just another expensive tool you buy off the shelf. In reality, Zero Trust is a strategy.
A way of thinking about security that fundamentally changes how organisations handle identity and access.
So, what does Zero Trust actually mean for Identity &Access Management (IAM)? And why does it matter?
The Problem
Blind trust in a borderless world
Traditionally, organisations relied on a perimeter-based security model.
Think of it like a castle with a moat. If you were inside the network, you were trusted. Simple, right?
The problem? Workplaces no longer have clear perimeters:
- Employees work remotely
- Cloud services host critical applications
- Third-party vendors have access to internal systems
- Cybercriminals exploit weak credentials and unsecured devices.
This means an attacker doesn’t need to break down the castle gates - they just need to steal a key.
And once inside, they can move freely.
That’s why Zero Trust flips the script. Instead of assuming someone inside the network is safe, it treats every request as untrusted - no matter where it comes from.
The Zero Trust approach to Identity
Zero Trust for Identity & Access Management (IAM) boils down to three key principles:
1. Verify every user, every time
No more relying on usernames and passwords alone. Zero Trust requires continuous authentication:
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Passwords aren’t enough. Users need a second factor like biometrics or an authenticator app.
- Adaptive Authentication – Logins from unusual locations or devices trigger extra verification steps.
- Identity Federation – Users sign in once and securely access multiple applications without separate credentials.
Reality Check: If your IAM strategy still allows logins with just a username and password, you’re not doing Zero Trust. You're just hoping for the best.
2. Least Privilege Access
No more free passes.
With Zero Trust, users only get the minimum access they need. Nothing more.
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) – Permissions are assigned based on job roles, reducing unnecessary access.
- Just-in-Time Access (JIT) – Instead of permanent admin rights, users get temporary access when needed.
- Continuous Monitoring – Access is constantly evaluated; suspicious behaviour leads to restrictions.
Think of it like an airport: Just because you made it past security doesn’t mean you can waltz into the cockpit.
3. Assume breach and monitor everything
Zero Trust operates under the assumption that threats are already inside the network. That means:
- Logging & Auditing: Every login, permission change, and data access request is recorded.
- Behaviour Analytics: If a user suddenly downloads gigabytes of sensitive data at 2am, the system flags it.
- Micro-Segmentation: Instead of giving access to the entire network, users are restricted to what they need.
Lesson learned: If an attacker does compromise credentials, Zero Trust IAM ensures they don’t have full reign over your systems.
Implementing Zero Trust for IAM
Where to start?
Zero Trust isn’t an overnight fix. It’s a mindset shift that requires strategic changes. Start with:
- Enforcing MFA across all accounts (no exceptions!).
- Mapping out who has access to what, and then restricting unnecessary permissions.
- Implementing adaptive authentication to flag unusual login attempts.
- Auditing user activity logs to spot anomalies before they become breaches.
The goal? No blind trust. No unchecked access. No easy entry points for attackers.
Is Zero Trust worth the effort?
Yes. And here's why:
- It minimises the risk of insider threats
- It protects remote workforces and cloud environments
- It ensures security policies evolve alongside threats
In a world where cybercriminals are always looking for the weakest link, Zero Trust IAM ensures that identity is never a single point of failure.
So next time someone asks, “Do we really need Zero Trust?”
Just remind them . .
Trust is a privilege, not a guarantee.
