ZERO TRUST ARCHITECTURE IN CORPORATE NETWORKS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES

As digital transformation accelerates, traditional perimeter-based security models have become increasingly ineffective in addressing modern cybersecurity threats. Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), guided by the principle of "Never Trust, Always Verify," offers a new approach to network security that emphasizes continuous verification, identity-based access controls, and micro-segmentation. Unlike Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), ZTA provides granular and adaptive access to applications and data, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Despite its growing popularity, organizations remain hesitant to invest in ZTA due to limited information on its real-world impact, available tools, and implementation costs. This paper explores the key principles, challenges, and implementation strategies of ZTA, presenting a comparative analysis of cloud-based, on-premises, and hybrid models. The study highlights practical insights into the benefits and drawbacks of ZTA, including real-world examples, and provides quantitative insights into its potential to reduce risk impact for organizations over time. The findings indicate that a well-implemented ZTA can significantly enhance network security resilience while offering a scalable, adaptive defense against modern cyber threats.