The intensification of digital transformation has made cyber threats more advanced and sophisticated than ever before. Traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer effective in responding to this new threat environment, leading to frequent security incidents such as data breaches and ransomware attacks. As a result, a new security philosophy called Zero Trust has emerged and is now establishing itself as the new standard for security in the modern digital landscape.
The emergence of Zero Trust
Zero Trust is based on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” continuously verifying all elements such as users, devices, and applications to maintain security. Unlike traditional perimeter-based security models, which differentiate between internal and external environments, Zero Trust verifies every access request. The advancement of AI technology, the widespread adoption of cloud services, and the acceleration of digital transformation have driven innovation and efficiency in businesses but have also introduced new cyber threats. As malicious attackers exploit advanced technologies to execute intelligent and sophisticated attacks, the need for a more systematic and evolved security approach has become evident.
Zero Trust Guidelines 2.0
In 2024, the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) released the Zero Trust Guidelines 2.0 to provide a concrete strategy for addressing these changes. These guidelines introduce a maturity model to assess an organization’s Zero Trust adoption level, defining the progression from the initial stage to advanced implementation and specifying the required security capabilities at each level. Key security capabilities include the implementation of strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and single sign-on (SSO), ensuring security during data movement and storage through encryption and monitoring, and securing applications by eliminating unnecessary risk factors and protecting workloads.
The adoption and role of organizations
Adopting Zero Trust goes beyond simply using technology; it must be integrated across an organization’s security culture and policies. This requires modernizing existing IT infrastructure, segmenting networks to enhance security, and implementing policy-driven approaches that respond to environmental changes in real time. Strong leadership and decision-making by top executives (CXOs) are crucial, and organizations must clearly define internal roles and objectives to effectively implement Zero Trust. Conducting case studies and identifying actionable improvements at each stage of maturity will enable a structured approach to adoption.
The necessity and expected benefits of adoption
The need for Zero Trust is growing. To effectively respond to constantly evolving cyber threats, protect key assets from data breaches and ransomware attacks, and secure competitiveness in the digital transformation era, Zero Trust is essential. Its implementation reduces risks, minimizes insider threats through user-specific access controls, and enhances data and system protection by strengthening authentication and access management. Furthermore, utilizing centralized management and cloud-based security solutions streamlines IT operations and increases operational efficiency.
Global and domestic policies
Zero Trust is establishing itself as a global security standard. The U.S. federal government, led by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has mandated the adoption of Zero Trust and is expanding it to state and local governments. In Korea, KISA successfully conducted a Zero Trust pilot project in 2023, and in 2024, it is expanding adoption across various sectors, including public, financial, and defense industries. These policy directions demonstrate that Zero Trust is not merely a security concept but an actionable security model.
Technical requirements for implementing Zero Trust
From a technical perspective, Zero Trust encompasses various elements. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) serves as a robust authentication framework to prevent unauthorized access, while Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) protects network segments and restricts access. Data encryption ensures confidentiality and integrity during transmission and storage, and continuous monitoring detects anomalies in real time to block threats. Micro-segmentation prevents attackers from moving laterally within a network, and dynamic policy management adjusts security policies in real time based on user roles, device status, and location information.
The future of Zero Trust
Zero Trust can serve as a reference for designing and improving corporate security policies and can be used as a tool to assess and enhance the security maturity of public and private organizations. It also holds value as an educational resource for raising security awareness among employees. In the future, as it integrates with AI, cloud, and IoT technologies, it will provide even more sophisticated security environments. Not only global enterprises but also small and medium-sized businesses are expected to adopt it. In this trend, Zero Trust will solidify its position as an essential security strategy for the digital transformation era, and organizations that actively adopt it will be able to ensure sustainable growth and build a secure digital ecosystem.
