In which setting is the concept of 'Zero Trust' typically implemented?

The concept of 'Zero Trust' is primarily associated with cloud infrastructure due to the nature of modern network environments and the need for stringent security measures. In a Zero Trust model, the premise is that no individual or device is trusted by default, whether they are inside or outside the network perimeter. This model is particularly effective in cloud environments, where resources can be accessed from various geographic locations and devices, often without a traditional network perimeter.

Cloud infrastructure typically utilizes a distributed model, allowing organizations to deploy services and applications in multiple locations. With this flexibility comes increased risk, as threats can come from anywhere. Zero Trust addresses these risks by enforcing strict verification for every access request, regardless of where it originates. This includes continuous authentication, monitoring, and validating the identity and security stance of users and devices attempting to access resources.

For environments such as peer-to-peer networks, software-defined networking, or federation services, while security is still crucial, they do not inherently embody the fundamental principles of Zero Trust as comprehensively as cloud infrastructure does. These other settings may have trusted internal connections or rely on traditional perimeter security models, which do not align with the core tenet of Zero Trust that assumes a breach could occur at any point in the system.