What is a key component of stopping initial compromise in the Zero Trust Exchange?

A key component of stopping initial compromise in the Zero Trust Exchange is the Cloud Firewall/IPS. In a Zero Trust architecture, the primary objective is to assume that threats could originate from both inside and outside the network, thereby requiring strict verification for every connection request. The Cloud Firewall integrated within the Zero Trust framework acts as a critical line of defense by inspecting incoming and outgoing traffic to prevent unauthorized access and detect malicious activities.

An Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) complements this by actively monitoring for suspicious behavior and taking steps to block potential threats before they can exploit vulnerabilities in the system. Together, these components enforce security policies at a granular level, ensuring that only authenticated and authorized users can access critical resources, thereby significantly reducing the risk of initial compromise.

The other options, while related to broader security concepts, do not provide the same level of proactive defense as the Cloud Firewall and IPS do within a Zero Trust model. Basic Network Security typically involves standard security measures that may not be sufficient against sophisticated threats, and Firewall Management Systems focus on the administration of firewalls rather than directly mitigating initial compromise. Physical Security Measures, while important for overall security, do not address the network-level threats that the Zero Trust Exchange specifically targets.