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	<p><strong>What is Zero Trust?</strong><br />
	Zero Trust is a security framework that assumes no implicit trust&mdash;every user, device, and request must be authenticated, authorized, and continuously validated.</p>
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	<p><strong>Origin of the Concept</strong><br />
	Coined by Forrester, the Zero Trust model is now adopted globally as organizations face more complex and borderless threats.</p>
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	<p><strong>Key Principle: Never Trust, Always Verify</strong><br />
	Unlike traditional perimeter defenses, Zero Trust enforces verification at every step, regardless of location or user profile.</p>
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	<p><strong>Growth Drivers in 2025</strong><br />
	The shift to cloud, hybrid work, increased ransomware threats, and stricter compliance regulations are accelerating adoption.</p>
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	<p><strong>Micro-Segmentation Techniques</strong><br />
	Organizations are segmenting networks by users, devices, and workloads to contain breaches and reduce attack surfaces.</p>
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	<p><strong>Identity and Access Management (IAM)</strong><br />
	Centralized IAM systems with strict policies are foundational to Zero Trust, enabling user validation and role-based access.</p>
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	<p><strong>Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)</strong><br />
	MFA is no longer optional. It&#39;s mandatory in Zero Trust to add an extra layer of identity verification.</p>
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	<p><strong>Device Trust Verification</strong><br />
	Devices are scanned for compliance (e.g., security patches, antivirus status) before being allowed to access network resources.</p>
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	<p><strong>Least Privilege Access</strong><br />
	Users get only the access needed to do their jobs&mdash;nothing more&mdash;reducing the chances of internal abuse or credential misuse.</p>
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	<p><strong>Continuous Monitoring and Analytics</strong><br />
	Behavioral analytics and anomaly detection are used to flag suspicious activity and revoke access in real time.</p>
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	<p><strong>Cloud Integration</strong><br />
	Zero Trust supports cloud-first environments by decoupling security from physical network locations.</p>
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	<p><strong>Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)</strong><br />
	ZTNA replaces VPNs by creating encrypted tunnels for specific application access rather than full network access.</p>
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	<p><strong>Replacing Legacy Infrastructure</strong><br />
	Many organizations are replacing outdated perimeter-focused firewalls with Zero Trust-compatible solutions.</p>
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	<p><strong>AI-Powered Risk Evaluation</strong><br />
	AI engines assess contextual risk in real time&mdash;considering user behavior, time, device, location, and data sensitivity.</p>
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	<p><strong>Policy Automation</strong><br />
	Policies for authentication, authorization, and access are automatically adjusted based on predefined risk thresholds.</p>
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	<p><strong>Reducing Attack Surfaces</strong><br />
	By limiting lateral movement inside networks, Zero Trust minimizes exposure in case of a breach.</p>
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	<p><strong>Zero Trust in Government</strong><br />
	Many government agencies have mandated Zero Trust adoption, citing its effectiveness in preventing cyber espionage.</p>
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	<p><strong>Employee Onboarding and Offboarding</strong><br />
	Zero Trust frameworks automate access granting and revocation, closing common gaps in HR-IT coordination.</p>
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	<p><strong>Zero Trust and IoT</strong><br />
	IoT devices, which often lack strong built-in security, are now governed by strict Zero Trust access controls.</p>
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	<p><strong>BYOD Enforcement</strong><br />
	Bring-your-own-device policies are supported by Zero Trust through strict compliance checks before access is granted.</p>
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	<p><strong>Benefits of Zero Trust</strong><br />
	Enhanced data protection, compliance readiness, insider threat mitigation, and faster incident response.</p>
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	<p><strong>Implementation Challenges</strong><br />
	High initial costs, legacy infrastructure compatibility issues, and resistance to change are common obstacles.</p>
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	<p><strong>Phased Rollout is Crucial</strong><br />
	Experts recommend a step-by-step approach: start with identity, move to device management, then expand to apps and data.</p>
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	<p><strong>Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) Standards</strong><br />
	NIST&rsquo;s ZTA guidelines provide a structured approach to building Zero Trust environments.</p>
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	<p><strong>Role of Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)</strong><br />
	EDR tools are integrated to monitor endpoint activity and enforce policy in real time.</p>
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	<p><strong>Zero Trust for Remote Work</strong><br />
	With the rise of remote work, Zero Trust ensures secure access without relying on traditional VPNs or fixed IPs.</p>
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	<p><strong>Vendor Ecosystem Growth</strong><br />
	Major tech providers now offer Zero Trust-aligned platforms, from Microsoft to Google to Okta and CrowdStrike.</p>
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	<p><strong>Cultural Shift in Security Thinking</strong><br />
	Zero Trust demands that organizations treat every connection as a potential threat&mdash;changing mindsets across all departments.</p>
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	<p><strong>Zero Trust is the Future</strong><br />
	By 2025, Zero Trust is expected to become the default security architecture for most mid-to-large enterprises.</p>
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</ul>