As cyberattacks become more sophisticated and remote work becomes the norm, traditional perimeter-based security is no longer enough. This is where Zero Trust Security comes in. Zero Trust follows a simple but powerful principle: “Never trust, always verify.”
No user, device, or application is trusted by default whether inside or outside the network.
What Is Zero Trust Security?
Zero trust is a security strategy for modern multicloud networks. Instead of focusing on the network perimeter, a zero trust security model enforces security policies for each individual connection between users, devices, applications and data.
Zero trust operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify” rather than granting implicit trust to all users inside a network. This granular security approach helps address the cybersecurity risks posed by remote workers, hybrid cloud services, personally owned devices and other elements of today’s corporate networks.
Zero Trust Security is a framework that:
- Continuously verifies identity
- Enforces least-privilege access
- Assumes breach by default
- Protects users, devices, applications, and data
It combines IAM, network segmentation, endpoint security, and continuous monitoring into a unified strategy. Below are the Top 6 Zero Trust Security Platforms You Must Know :
1. Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange
Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange is a cloud-based security solution that keeps company data safe. Every user and device must prove who they are before getting access. Instead of old office networks or VPNs, Zscaler connects users directly and safely to the apps they need.
It checks all internet traffic and makes sure only the right person, using a safe device and location, can access company applications.
This helps stop hackers from moving inside the system and reduces the risk of data theft. Because everything runs in the cloud, employees can work safely from the office, from home, or from anywhere else. In simple words, Zscaler works like a smart security guard in the cloud – it checks everyone, gives limited access, and protects company data all the time.
2. Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Prisma Access by Palo Alto is a Secure Access Service Edge or SASE technology that allows for network and security to be delivered as a service from the cloud. It uses cloud security system to protect cloud apps, SaaS tools, data centers, and web traffic.
Prisma Access is designed to prevent successful cyberattacks, and that’s why it does more than just secure the web. To stop cyberattacks, it’s necessary to inspect all traffic. Prisma Access consistently protects all traffic, on all ports and from all applications, enabling your organization to:
- Prevent successful cyberattacks with proven security philosophies and threat intelligence for deep visibility and precise control that extends across your organization.
- Fully inspect all application traffic bidirectionally including SSL/TLS-encrypted traffic on all ports, whether communicating with the internet, with the cloud, or between branches.
3. Microsoft Entra (Azure AD Zero Trust)
Microsoft Entra (Azure AD Zero Trust) is a cloud identity and security service that helps protect company apps and data. Every time someone signs in, this solution checks who they are, what device they are using, and how risky the login looks.
It lets users access only what they are allowed to use and blocks unsafe sign-ins. Microsoft Entra supports secure login methods like multi-factor authentication and passwordless sign-in. It also helps people work safely from the office, from home, or from anywhere while keeping company data protected.
4. Cloudflare Zero Trust
Cloudflare Zero Trust is a comprehensive security platform that replaces traditional VPNs with a “never trust, always verify” approach to protect networks, applications, and users.
It provides Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), enabling secure connections for employees and contractors without exposing private networks. Cloudflare One offers a unified dashboard for managing self-hosted and SaaS apps with identity-based policies and seamless security. It integrates tunnels for exposing services safely, bypassing port forwarding or VPNs.
The platform supports various access controls, multi-factor authentication (MFA), network segmentation, and end-to-end encryption to minimize breach risks. Features like threat detection, SSO, and risk-based access enhance compliance with standards such as GDPR and HIPAA.
5. Okta Identity-Based Zero Trust
Okta Identity-Based Zero Trust is a security strategy centered on identity verification to enforce “never trust, always verify” access controls across applications, users, and devices.
Okta provides a unified identity platform integrating IAM, SSO, and real-time monitoring for applications, supporting micro-segmentation and anomaly detection. Continuous session evaluation adapts permissions dynamically, integrating with tools like SOAR or IR for automated responses and compliance with standards such as GDPR.
6. Cisco Zero Trust Security
Cisco Zero trust is a strategic approach to security that centers on the concept of eliminating trust from an organization’s network architecture. Trust is neither binary nor permanent. It can no longer be assumed that internal entities are trustworthy, that they can be directly managed to reduce security risk, or that checking them one time is enough.
It organizes security into three pillars: workforce (user and device access), workloads (application and data protection), and workplace (network security). Trust is established via identity verification, device posture checks, and workload assessment, then enforced with least-privilege policies.
Conclusion
Zero Trust has become a necessity rather than a choice for securing today’s systems. Modern organizations must move beyond traditional perimeter-based security and adopt a ‘never trust, always verify’ approach.
