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Zero trust has become a boardroom buzzword – but for CISOs, it’s more than a slogan. Here’s how to move beyond spin and embed principles that reduce risk and support business growth.
Few ideas in cyber security have captured as much attention as zero trust. Vendors pitch it, regulators recommend it, and boards now ask about it in risk briefings.
But for many chief information security officers (CISOs), zero trust is still shrouded in hype.
At its core, zero trust isn’t a product or a quick-fix strategy – it’s a mindset. The principle is simple: never assume trust, always verify. The execution, however, is where organisations stumble.
Moving from traditional perimeter security to continuous verification across people, devices, and systems is no small task, however. Done poorly, zero trust becomes a confusing, grab-bag set of tools that hinders more than it helps.
Done well, it’s a framework that strengthens resilience and empowers productivity.
Identity first
The first step is recognising that zero trust is about identity more than networks. Firewalls can no longer protect the modern enterprise, where employees log in from home, cloud workloads shift by the hour, and third-party vendors need constant access. Identity is the new perimeter, and robust authentication is the bedrock of security. Multifactor authentication (MFA), strong privilege controls, and behavioural monitoring are not optional – they’re just the starting point.
From there, CISOs need to focus on segmentation. Zero trust assumes that threats already exist inside the network, so internal barriers matter just as much as external ones. That means breaking systems into smaller, controlled zones so attackers can’t move laterally when (not if) they do breach the perimeter. If credentials are compromised, segmentation limits the damage.
But here’s the catch: segmentation has to be done thoughtfully, or it will frustrate users, creating friction and slowing business processes. The art is balancing security with usability.
Visibility is another pillar often overlooked. To enforce zero trust, you need to know exactly who is accessing what, from where, and why. Continuous monitoring of endpoints, applications, and cloud environments allows you to spot anomalies before they escalate. For many CISOs, that requires breaking down silos between IT, cloud, and security teams. Tools can help, but the real win comes from aligning processes and data flows.
It’s also worth tackling one common pitfall right away: thinking of zero trust as a one-off project.
It isn’t.
Zero trust is iterative, a journey rather than a destination. Each step – whether deploying MFA, enforcing least privilege, or segmenting systems – adds layers of protection. Organisations that succeed treat it as a continuous program, not a line item.
Stand your ground
CISOs also need to prepare for resistance. Users may push back against new authentication steps, while developers may complain about slowed processes. That’s where communication comes in. Framing zero trust as a way to enable safe, seamless digital services – not as red tape – makes all the difference. If employees see it as protecting their productivity and the company’s reputation, adoption becomes much easier.
Finally, keep one eye on the business. Zero trust isn’t about building higher walls; it’s about creating an environment where innovation can happen safely. Cloud adoption, remote work, and digital services all become more sustainable when identity, access, and monitoring are handled with rigour. The message to the board should be clear: zero trust is not a cost – it’s an investment in agility and resilience.
At the end of the day, zero trust isn’t just a framework for CISOs – it’s a strategic mandate for the entire organisation. The challenge is to cut through the noise, start with identity, build step by step, and keep the business front and centre.
That’s how zero trust moves from buzzword to competitive advantage.
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