Zero Trust is a security framework that requires all users in or outside the organization’s network to be authenticated, authorized, and continuously validated for security configuration and posture before being granted or keeping access to applications and data. Networks can be local, in the cloud, a combination or hybrid with resources anywhere as well as workers in any location. Zero Trust is a framework for securing infrastructure and data and addresses the challenges businesses face, including securing remote workers, hybrid cloud environments, and ransomware threats. Executing Zero Trust combines advanced technologies such as risk-based multi-factor authentication, identity protection, next-generation endpoint security, and robust cloud technology to verify a user or systems identity, consideration of access at that moment in time, and the maintenance of system security. Zero Trust also requires consideration of encryption of data, securing email, and verifying the hygiene of assets and endpoints before they connect to applications. Traditional network security followed the “trust but verify” method, which automatically trusted users and endpoints within the organization’s perimeter. This method ultimately puts the organization at risk from malicious internal actors and legitimate credentials being taken over by malicious actors, enabling wide-reaching access to unauthorized and compromised accounts once inside. Zero Trust architecture requires organizations to continuously monitor and validate that a user and their device have the right privileges and attributes. Additionally, the architecture requires the enforcement of a policy that considers the risk of the user and device, along with compliance or other requirements to consider prior to permitting the transaction. The organization is required to know all of its service and privileged accounts to establish controls about what and where they connect. One-time validation is not enough as threats and user attributes are all subject to change. More than 80% of all attacks involve credentials use or misuse in the network so additional protections for credentials and data must extend to email security and secure web gateway providers as this helps ensure greater password security, the integrity of accounts, adherence to organizational rules, and avoid high-risk shadow IT services.