What aspect does Zero Trust primarily focus on regarding network security?

Zero Trust primarily focuses on granular access control based on verified identity, emphasizing the need to authenticate and authorize every user and device attempting to access resources within a network, regardless of whether they are inside or outside the perimeter. This model operates under the principle that threats can exist both inside and outside the network, so every access attempt is treated as potentially risky.

By implementing granular access control, organizations can ensure that only authenticated users have access to specific resources, and only to the extent necessary for them to perform their tasks. This reduces the risk of data breaches and lateral movement by malicious actors within the network. The Zero Trust approach fosters continuous verification and minimizes the trust placed in any user or device, aligning with modern security needs in increasingly complex and distributed IT environments.

In contrast to other choices, the responsibility of the user to manage security does not capture the proactive and systematic approach Zero Trust embodies. Dependence on traditional firewalls and the focus on perimeter defenses are increasingly considered outdated under the Zero Trust philosophy, which seeks to eliminate reliance on a secure perimeter and instead fortifies security through continuous authentication and authorizations.