The Zero Trust Security Model (ZTSM) is a security framework that assumes no entity—inside or outside the network—should be trusted by default. Every request must be verified, authenticated, and continuously monitored before access is granted.

🔹 Core Principle: "Never Trust, Always Verify."

🔹 Why Zero Trust?
✅ Prevents insider threats and lateral movement of attackers.
✅ Protects against data breaches and unauthorized access.
✅ Enforces least privilege access for users, devices, and applications.

✅ Identity Verification – Authenticate users with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
✅ Device Trust – Ensure only secure, compliant devices can access resources.
✅ Least Privilege Access – Grant access dynamically based on policies.
✅ Continuous Monitoring – Analyze user behavior and re-evaluate access.
✅ Micro-Segmentation – Restrict lateral movement between network resources.
✅ Logging & Auditing – Track all access requests for security analytics.

⚡ Security – Enforce end-to-end encryption, strong authentication, and anomaly detection.
⚡ Scalability – Support large-scale deployments across cloud and on-premise environments.
⚡ Performance – Minimize authentication delays with caching and smart policies.
⚡ Compliance – Ensure GDPR, HIPAA, SOC2 compliance for security and privacy.
⚡ Flexibility – Adapt to hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

1. Identity Provider (IdP) – Authenticates users and enforces MFA.
2. Policy Decision Point (PDP) – Evaluates access policies dynamically.
3. Policy Enforcement Point (PEP) – Intercepts requests and verifies authorization.
4. Device Trust Engine – Ensures that only secure devices can access resources.
5. Behavioral Analytics – Uses AI/ML to detect anomalous activity.
6. Micro-Segmentation Controller – Restricts lateral movement within networks.
7. Logging & Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) – Monitors access logs for threats.

1. User requests access → Sends request with credentials & device info.
2. Identity & Device Verification → MFA + Device Trust Check.
3. Policy Evaluation → The system checks role, device, location, risk score.
4. Access Decision → If conditions are met, access is granted with least privilege.
5. Continuous Monitoring → Behavior is analyzed for suspicious activity.
6. Dynamic Enforcement → If risk is detected, access is revoked or re-authenticated.

CREATE TABLE users (
    id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
    username VARCHAR(255) UNIQUE NOT NULL,
    password_hash TEXT NOT NULL,
    role VARCHAR(50),
    mfa_enabled BOOLEAN DEFAULT TRUE
);
CREATE TABLE devices (
id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
user_id INT REFERENCES users(id) ON DELETE CASCADE,
device_id VARCHAR(255) UNIQUE NOT NULL,
os VARCHAR(50),
last_seen TIMESTAMP
);
CREATE TABLE access_policies (
id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
role VARCHAR(50) NOT NULL,
resource VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
condition TEXT NOT NULL
);
CREATE TABLE access_logs (
id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
user_id INT REFERENCES users(id),
resource VARCHAR(255),
action VARCHAR(50),
timestamp TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
status VARCHAR(20)
);

View or edit this diagram in Whimsical.

npm install express bcrypt jsonwebtoken dotenv

require("dotenv").config();
const express = require("express");
const bcrypt = require("bcrypt");
const jwt = require("jsonwebtoken");
const app = express();
app.use(express.json());
// Mock Users & Policies
const users = [
{ id: 1, username: "admin", passwordHash: bcrypt.hashSync("password", 10), role: "admin", mfaEnabled: true, deviceTrusted: true }
];
const zeroTrustPolicies = [
{ resource: "/admin-panel", condition: "mfa_verified && device_trusted" },
{ resource: "/sensitive-doc", condition: "mfa_verified" }
];
// Zero Trust Middleware
const authorize = (resource) => (req, res, next) => {
const token = req.headers.authorization?.split(" ")[1];
const user = jwt.verify(token, process.env.JWT_SECRET);
const policy = zeroTrustPolicies.find(p => p.resource === resource);
if (!policy || !(user.mfaVerified && user.deviceTrusted)) {
return res.status(403).json({ message: "Access Denied" });
}
next();
};
// Protected Route
app.get("/admin-panel", authorize("/admin-panel"), (req, res) => res.json({ message: "Admin Panel Access Granted" }));
app.listen(3000, () => console.log("Zero Trust Server running on port 3000"));

The Zero Trust Security Model provides the highest level of security by ensuring continuous authentication & least privilege access. It is ideal for enterprise, government, and cloud security.