Which term best describes a security philosophy that requires verification of every access attempt, regardless of origin?

Which term best describes a security philosophy that requires verification of every access attempt, regardless of origin?

• A. Zero Trust Security
• B. Perimeter Defense
• C. Access Control Lists
• D. Patch Management

Answer: (A)

Zero Trust Security is the approach where no user or device is trusted by default, regardless of whether the access request originates inside or outside the network. Every attempt to access a resource must be authenticated, authorized, and continuously evaluated, with the principle of least privilege guiding who can do what. This means even internal traffic is verified, and access decisions can adapt in real time based on context such as device health, user identity, and behavior. This philosophy contrasts with relying on a strong network perimeter alone. Perimeter Defense focuses on keeping threats out at the boundary, not on verifying every access request inside. Access Control Lists are policies that enforce who can access what, but they’re a mechanism rather than the overarching philosophy. Patch Management deals with updating software to fix vulnerabilities, not with controlling access.

Zero Trust Security is the approach where no user or device is trusted by default, regardless of whether the access request originates inside or outside the network. Every attempt to access a resource must be authenticated, authorized, and continuously evaluated, with the principle of least privilege guiding who can do what. This means even internal traffic is verified, and access decisions can adapt in real time based on context such as device health, user identity, and behavior. This philosophy contrasts with relying on a strong network perimeter alone. Perimeter Defense focuses on keeping threats out at the boundary, not on verifying every access request inside. Access Control Lists are policies that enforce who can access what, but they’re a mechanism rather than the overarching philosophy. Patch Management deals with updating software to fix vulnerabilities, not with controlling access.