What does the concept of "zero trust" in cybersecurity entail?

The concept of "zero trust" in cybersecurity fundamentally revolves around the idea of ensuring that no one, whether inside or outside an organization, is trusted by default. Every user and device must go through strict verification before accessing any resources, regardless of their location or prior access privileges. This principle is designed to protect sensitive information and systems against both external and internal threats, acknowledging that threats can originate from any source.

By mandating verification for every access request, the zero trust model helps to mitigate the risks associated with compromised credentials or insiders who may misuse their access. This approach enhances security by minimizing the potential attack surface and applying consistent security measures across all users and devices.

The other choices do not accurately encapsulate the essence of zero trust. Granting access based on trust levels implies that some users or devices may be inherently trusted, which contradicts the zero trust philosophy. Continuously monitoring remote workers and trusting internal users without additional verification also diverge from the zero trust model, as it emphasizes verification over reliance on geographic location or prior access rights.