Zero Trust Series | E2: A Brief History of Zero Trust

The concept of zero trust emerged in 2009 and challenged the traditional security model that relied on perimeter defense, assuming that everything inside the network is trustworthy. Initially proposed by John Kindervag, the Zero Trust model gained attention as cyber threats evolved beyond traditional defenses. The model gained momentum as cybersecurity professionals and companies recognized its effectiveness against increasingly sophisticated threats. Google's implementation of a similar concept, BeyondCorp, reinforced the zero trust principles by adopting a model that focused on device and user authentication rather than a trusted network perimeter. This further popularized the idea of Zero Trust security beyond Forrester's initial concept. Over time, with the rise in remote work, cloud computing, and diverse endpoint devices accessing networks, the Zero Trust model evolved into a comprehensive security strategy centered on continuous verification and strict access controls. While Zero Trust is becoming a guiding principle for modern cybersecurity frameworks, it can be surrounded by myths and misconceptions.