Implementing Zero Trust Architecture in Cloud...

Implementing Zero Trust Architecture in Cloud-Native Environments: Challenges and Best Practices

Author Name : Sandeep Dommari1, Dr. Shakeb Khan

ABSTRACT Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) is now a mandatory security model for cloud-native ecosystems of the modern era, offering a model that presumes by default, nothing within or external to the network can be trusted. Though ZTA offers strong defense against data compromise and unauthorized access, its deployment in cloud native ecosystems comes with certain distinct challenges. These are mostly due to the dynamic and distributed nature of cloud-native infrastructures, the application of containerized apps, microservices, and DevOps adoption. Moreover, offering smooth integration of Zero Trust ideas across heterogeneous cloud services, security control scalability management, and ensuring performance without impacting security are all major challenges. This study aims to analyze the gaps noted in existing frameworks and best practices for the deployment of Zero Trust Architecture in cloud-native environments. Through the determination of such gaps, the study aims to provide an exhaustive list of guidelines and recommendations for organizations that aim to integrate ZTA into their cloud-native security models. The areas of interest are identity and access management, network segmentation, continuous authentication, and enforcement of least-privilege principles in cloud-based microservices architecture. The study will also address the need for policy enforcement and automation of monitoring, hence fostering a scalable and flexible security model. Through the closure of the existing knowledge gap, this study aims to facilitate the real-world deployment of Zero Trust in cloud-native environments, enhancing security without reducing flexibility and performance in highly dynamic information technology environments.