Zero Trust, which can be understood as “never trust by default”, is a cybersecurity approach based on a simple principle: no user, device or application is considered trustworthy, even when it is located within the company’s network. Every access request must be verified before it is authorised.
For many years, companies mainly protected the perimeter of their networks using firewalls. Once connected to the internal network, a user often had broad access to company resources. With the rise of remote working, cloud environments and increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, this approach is no longer sufficient.
The Zero Trust model therefore applies the principle of “always verify, then only grant the access that is necessary”. Before accessing an application, server or file, the user’s identity is checked, their device is verified and their level of authorisation is assessed. Even after access has been granted, activity is continuously monitored to detect unusual behaviour.
This approach relies in particular on technologies such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), Identity and Access Management (IAM), device control, network segmentation and continuous system monitoring.
Zero Trust can significantly limit the impact of a compromise. If a user account is hacked or a device is infected with malware, the cybercriminal cannot move freely through the IT environment, because each access request must be verified again.
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Today, Zero Trust has become one of the most widely recommended cybersecurity models for businesses. By restricting access rights to what is strictly necessary and verifying every connection, it strengthens data protection, limits the risk of a cyberattack spreading and improves the organisation’s overall resilience.