Challenges of Implementing Zero Trust

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 36 views

Introduction

In today's digital landscape, the concept of zero trust has become a cornerstone of modern cybersecurity. The idea of zero trust is to assume that all users and devices are untrusted, and to verify their identity and permissions before granting access to sensitive resources. However, implementing zero trust across an entire organization can be a daunting task, especially when dealing with legacy systems or infrastructure that may not be able to implement the zero trust principles. In this article, we will explore two ways organizations can enable access and maintain the security benefits of zero trust even when parts of the infrastructure can't implement the zero trust principles.

What is Zero Trust?

Zero trust is a security model that assumes that all users and devices are untrusted, and that access to sensitive resources should be granted on a need-to-know basis. This approach is based on the idea that even if a user or device is authenticated, they may still pose a risk to the organization's security. Zero trust involves verifying the identity and permissions of users and devices before granting access to sensitive resources, and continuously monitoring their behavior to detect and respond to potential security threats.

Challenges of Implementing Zero Trust

While zero trust is a powerful security model, implementing it across an entire organization can be a complex and challenging task. One of the main challenges is dealing with legacy systems or infrastructure that may not be able to implement the zero trust principles. These systems may not have the necessary security controls or may not be able to integrate with the organization's zero trust architecture. Additionally, implementing zero trust requires significant changes to an organization's security policies and procedures, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Two Ways to Enable Access and Maintain Security Benefits

Despite the challenges of implementing zero trust, there are two ways organizations can enable access and maintain the security benefits of zero trust even when parts of the infrastructure can't implement the zero trust principles:

1. Implementing a Hybrid Approach

One way to enable access and maintain the security benefits of zero trust is to implement a hybrid approach. This involves implementing zero trust principles in areas of the organization where it is feasible, while still maintaining access to legacy systems or infrastructure that may not be able to implement the zero trust principles. For example, an organization may implement zero trust in its cloud-based applications, while still using a traditional VPN to access its on-premises infrastructure.

Benefits of a Hybrid Approach

A hybrid approach offers several benefits, including:

Improved security: By implementing zero trust principles in areas of the organization where it is feasible, organizations can improve their overall security posture.
Increased flexibility: A hybrid approach allows organizations to maintain access to legacy systems or infrastructure that may not be able to implement the zero trust principles.
Reduced costs: Implementing a hybrid approach can be less expensive than implementing zero trust across an entire organization.

2. Using a Proxy or Gateway

Another way to enable access and maintain the security benefits of zero trust is to use a proxy or gateway. A proxy or gateway is a security device that sits between the user or device and the sensitive resource, and verifies the user's or device's identity and permissions before granting access. This approach allows organizations to maintain the security benefits of zero trust even when parts of the infrastructure can't implement the zero trust principles.

Benefits of Using a Proxy or Gateway

Using a proxy or gateway offers several benefits, including:

Improved security: A proxy or gateway can provide an additional layer of security by verifying the user's or device's identity and permissions before granting access.
Increased flexibility: A proxy or gateway can be used to access sensitive resources that may not be able to implement the zero trust principles.
Reduced costs: Implementing a proxy or gateway can be less expensive than implementing zero trust across an entire organization.

Conclusion

In conclusion, implementing zero trust across an entire organization can be a complex and challenging task, especially when dealing with legacy systems or infrastructure that may not be able to implement the zero trust principles. However, there are two ways organizations can enable access and maintain the security benefits of zero trust even when parts of the infrastructure can't implement the zero trust principles: by implementing a hybrid approach or using a proxy or gateway. By understanding these options and implementing the right solution for their organization, businesses can improve their overall security posture and reduce the risk of a security breach.

Recommendations

Based on the information presented in this article, we recommend the following:

Implement a hybrid approach: Organizations should consider implementing a hybrid approach to zero trust, where they implement zero trust principles in areas of the organization where it is feasible, while still maintaining access to legacy systems or infrastructure that may not be able to implement the zero trust principles.
Use a proxy or gateway: Organizations should consider using a proxy or gateway to access sensitive resources that may not be able to implement the zero trust principles.
Continuously monitor and evaluate: Organizations should continuously monitor and evaluate their zero trust implementation to ensure that it is meeting their security needs and to identify areas for improvement.

Additional Resources

For more information on zero trust and implementing a hybrid approach or using a proxy or gateway, we recommend the following resources:

NCSC Guidance: The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published guidance on implementing zero trust, which can be found at https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/zero-trust-building-a-mixed-estate.
Zero Trust Architecture: The Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) is a framework for implementing zero trust, which can be found at https://www.zerotrustarchitecture.org/.
Security Industry Association: The Security Industry Association (SIA) has published a whitepaper on implementing zero trust, which can be found at https://www.securityindustry.org/whitepapers/zero-trust-security-architecture.
[NCSC Guidance Feed] Zero Trust: Building a Mixed Estate - Q&A ===========================================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored two ways organizations can enable access and maintain the security benefits of zero trust even when parts of the infrastructure can't implement the zero trust principles. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about implementing zero trust in a mixed estate.

Q&A

Q: What is a mixed estate?

A: A mixed estate refers to an organization's infrastructure that includes both modern and legacy systems, as well as on-premises and cloud-based resources.

Q: Why is implementing zero trust in a mixed estate challenging?

A: Implementing zero trust in a mixed estate can be challenging because it requires significant changes to an organization's security policies and procedures, as well as the integration of new security controls with existing legacy systems.

Q: What are the benefits of implementing zero trust in a mixed estate?

A: The benefits of implementing zero trust in a mixed estate include improved security, increased flexibility, and reduced costs.

Q: How can organizations implement zero trust in a mixed estate?

A: Organizations can implement zero trust in a mixed estate by using a hybrid approach, which involves implementing zero trust principles in areas of the organization where it is feasible, while still maintaining access to legacy systems or infrastructure that may not be able to implement the zero trust principles.

Q: What is a proxy or gateway, and how can it be used to implement zero trust in a mixed estate?

A: A proxy or gateway is a security device that sits between the user or device and the sensitive resource, and verifies the user's or device's identity and permissions before granting access. It can be used to implement zero trust in a mixed estate by providing an additional layer of security and verifying the user's or device's identity and permissions before granting access.

Q: How can organizations ensure that their zero trust implementation is effective?

A: Organizations can ensure that their zero trust implementation is effective by continuously monitoring and evaluating their zero trust implementation, as well as identifying areas for improvement.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when implementing zero trust in a mixed estate?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when implementing zero trust in a mixed estate include:

Not fully understanding the organization's security requirements
Not properly integrating new security controls with existing legacy systems
Not providing adequate training and support for users and administrators
Not continuously monitoring and evaluating the zero trust implementation

Q: How can organizations get started with implementing zero trust in a mixed estate?

A: Organizations can get started with implementing zero trust in a mixed estate by:

Conducting a thorough risk assessment to identify areas of vulnerability
Developing a comprehensive security strategy that includes zero trust principles
Implementing a hybrid approach that includes both modern and legacy systems
Providing adequate training and support for users and administrators

Conclusion

Implementing zero trust in a mixed estate can be a complex and challenging task, but it is essential for organizations to protect their sensitive resources and data. By understanding the benefits and challenges of implementing zero trust in a mixed estate, as well as the common mistakes to avoid, organizations can ensure that their zero trust implementation is effective and meets their security needs.

Recommendations

Based on the information presented in this article, we recommend the following:

Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify areas of vulnerability
Develop a comprehensive security strategy that includes zero trust principles
Implement a hybrid approach that includes both modern and legacy systems
Provide adequate training and support for users and administrators
Continuously monitor and evaluate the zero trust implementation

Additional Resources

For more information on implementing zero trust in a mixed estate, we recommend the following resources:

NCSC Guidance: The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published guidance on implementing zero trust, which can be found at https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/zero-trust-building-a-mixed-estate.
Zero Trust Architecture: The Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) is a framework for implementing zero trust, which can be found at https://www.zerotrustarchitecture.org/.
Security Industry Association: The Security Industry Association (SIA) has published a whitepaper on implementing zero trust, which can be found at https://www.securityindustry.org/whitepapers/zero-trust-security-architecture.