Introduction
The digital landscape has undergone a transformation over the last decade. Cloud adoption, remote work, hybrid environments, API-driven architectures, and a rise in supply-chain attacks have rendered traditional perimeter-based security models obsolete.
In this reality, trust can no longer be assumed. Organisations must adopt an approach that assumes attackers are already inside the network. This is the core philosophy behind Zero Trust, and its most critical pillar is identity-centric security—protecting human and machine identities as the new security perimeter.
This article explores the principles of Zero Trust, why identity is now the primary attack vector, and how organisations can implement a future-ready, identity-centric security strategy.
1. Why the Traditional Perimeter Model Has Failed
Historically, organisations operated with a “castle-and-moat” security model:
- Users inside the network were trusted
- Those outsides were blocked
- Firewalls and VPNs were the main defence
But modern threats have outgrown this design.
Five major shifts have broken perimeter-based security:
- Cloud migration decentralises data and workloads
- Remote/hybrid work increases unmanaged or risky device usage
- SaaS adoption spreads data across multiple platforms
- Mobile and IoT devices create new vulnerabilities
- Supply-chain attacks bypass perimeter controls entirely
Attackers no longer “break in”—they log in using compromised identities.
Key Stats
- 61% of breaches involve stolen or weak credentials (Verizon DBIR 2023).
- 80% of successful attacks involve identity compromise, according to Microsoft’s Digital Defence Report 2023.
- Google reports MFA and identity protections block over 99% of automated attacks.
2. Understanding Zero Trust Security
Zero Trust is often misunderstood as a single product or technology. In reality, it is a strategic security framework built on three core principles defined by NIST:
Zero Trust Core Principles (NIST SP 800-207)
- Never Trust, Always Verify: Authentication is continuous and dynamic
- Assume Breach: Systems operate as if attackers are already inside
- Least Privilege Access: Users/systems only get the access they need—nothing more
What Zero Trust is NOT: Not a firewall, not MFA alone, not removing all internal access, not an overnight implementation.
Zero Trust is a continuous security posture and operational shift.
3. Identity as the New Perimeter
Identity is now the primary attack vector. Attackers target credentials, API keys, tokens, and privileged accounts because identity compromise gives them a shortcut to systems and data.
Why Identity-Centric Security Matters?
- Passwords are easily stolen or guessed
- Phishing remains the #1 initial access method
- Compromised admin accounts can cripple entire systems
- Non-human identities (APIs, bots, service accounts) now outnumber humans
Identity is no longer just a login—it’s an operational risk factor.
The Rise of Machine Identities
Machine identities (service accounts, workload identities, containers, IoT devices) often: Are poorly monitored, use long-lived credentials, sit outside traditional IAM tools
These represent a growing blind spot in modern environments.
4. Key Components of an Identity-Centric Zero Trust Model
1. Strong Identity Verification (MFA, Biometrics, Passkeys):
MFA is foundational, but Zero Trust requires phishing-resistant authentication: FIDO2, Passkeys, Hardware security keys and Certificate-based authentication.
2. Continuous Authentication & Risk-Based Access:
Modern identity systems must assess: Device risk, Location anomalies, Behaviour analytics and session context. If risk rises, access decreases automatically.
3. Least-Privilege Access & Just-In-Time Permissions:
Using PAM (Privileged Access Management) and JIT access: Admin privileges expire after use, standing privileges are removed and privilege escalation is monitored.
4. Micro segmentation:
Limits lateral movement by segmenting: Networks, Identities, Applications and Workloads.
5. Identity Governance & Lifecycle Management:
Ensures: Access is reviewed, Orphaned accounts are removed, Role-based access remains clean and Joiner/mover/leaver events are automated.
6. Zero Trust for APIs & Machine Identities:
Modern systems rely on APIs; therefore: API authentication, Token management, certificate rotation and secrets vaulting must all be enforced.
5. How Zero Trust Reduces Real Threats:
Zero Trust directly mitigates: Ransomware (limits access and lateral spread), phishing (identity-based controls stop impersonation), insider threats (least privilege and continuous monitoring reduce risk), and supply-chain attacks (identity & device trust requirements stop unknown access).
Case Insights
- Google’s BeyondCorp Zero Trust model eliminated VPN reliance and improved security across distributed teams
- Microsoft reports a 60% reduction in lateral movement attempts in organisations adopting ZT
- IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report shows Zero Trust can reduce breach costs by up to 43%
6. Challenges When Implementing Zero Trust
Zero Trust is powerful but requires planning.
Common Challenges
- Legacy systems that don’t support modern identity controls
- Cultural resistance (“security slows us down”)
- Skills gaps in cybersecurity and IAM
- Misconfigured identity policies
- Multi-cloud visibility issues
How to Overcome These Challenges
- Start with identity first: MFA → SSO → Conditional Access
- Prioritise protecting privileged accounts
- Integrate SIEM + Identity Threat Detection (ITDR)
- Build Zero Trust in increments, not all at once
7. Zero Trust and the Future of Cybersecurity
Zero Trust is evolving, with new trends strengthening its core:
1. AI-driven identity threat detection (ITDR)
AI analysis’s identity patterns, detects anomalies, and shuts down suspicious sessions in real time.
2. Password less authentication becoming mainstream
Passkeys and biometrics are replacing password-based systems.
3. Machine identity management automation
Short-lived certificates and automated key management reduce credential exposure.
4. Unified identity fabrics
IAM, PAM, IGA, and ITDR are converging into single ecosystems.
5. Cloud-native Zero Trust accelerators
AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud offer built-in Zero Trust components to simplify adoption.
Conclusion
Zero Trust is no longer a theoretical framework—it is a practical necessity for modern security. Identity-centric security is at the heart of this evolution because identity compromise is the most common cause of breaches today.
By treating identity as the new perimeter and applying continuous verification, least privilege, and contextual access controls, organisations significantly reduce their exposure to modern cyber threats.
The future of cybersecurity is not about building higher walls—it is about knowing exactly who or what is accessing your systems at all times, and trusting nothing by default.
Zero Trust is not an endpoint; it is a strategy, a culture, and an ongoing journey.
References:
- NIST Zero Trust Architecture (SP 800-207): https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-207/final
- NIST Digital Identity Guidelines (800-63): https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-3/
- CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model: https://www.cisa.gov/zero-trust-maturity-model
- Verizon DBIR 2023: https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/reports/dbir/
- Microsoft Digital Defence Report: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/microsoft-digital-defense-report
- IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report: https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach
- Gartner Identity & Access Trends: https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology
- Google BeyondCorp Model: https://cloud.google.com/beyondcorp
- Google Security Blog: https://security.googleblog.com
- CyberArk Identity Security Report: https://www.cyberark.com/resources/
- FIDO Alliance Password less Research: https://fidoalliance.org
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