NIST Releases New Guide - 19 Strategies for Building Zero Trust Architectures

• Policy Engine: Decides access using contextual data (user identity, device health, behavior analytics)
• Policy Administrator: Enforces engine decisions through API-driven controls
• Continuous Monitoring: Leverages tools like Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) for real-time threat detection

json// Example Policy Engine Decision Logic
{
  "user": "admin@corp",
  "device": {
    "os": "Windows 11",
    "patch_level": "2025-05",
    "encryption": true
  },
  "request": {
    "resource": "sensitive_db",
    "action": "write",
    "location": "coffee_shop_wifi"
  },
  "decision": "DENY",
  "reason": "Unsecured network context"
}

Implementation Models and Technical Frameworks

The guidance categorizes ZTA deployments into five architectural patterns, each addressing specific enterprise needs:

Implementation Type

Key Technologies

Use Case

Enhanced Identity Governance (EIG Crawl)

ICAM, Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP)

On-premises resource protection

Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP)

Cloudflare Access, Zscaler Private Access

Secure remote access

Microsegmentation

VMware NSX, Cisco ACI

Data center network isolation

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

Netskope, Palo Alto Prisma

Branch office security

Hybrid Cloud ZTA

AWS IAM, Azure Policy, Google BeyondCorp ...