Enterprise security continues to evolve. As organizations adopt cloud platforms, enable remote work, and integrate third-party access, traditional perimeter-based security no longer reflects reality.
As a result, many security leaders now explore Zero Trust security. A key question naturally follows:
Where should Zero Trust begin?
Increasingly, organizations start with identity.
Why Identity Matters More Than the Network
Previously, security teams focused on defending the network. Once users connected through a VPN, systems trusted them implicitly. However, this assumption no longer holds true.
Today:
Applications run across cloud and hybrid environments
Users access systems from multiple locations and devices
Attackers frequently exploit stolen credentials
Therefore, attackers rarely breach firewalls directly. Instead, they misuse legitimate identities. For this reason, identity and access management (IAM) has become central to modern security strategies.
Moving Beyond Authentication
Many organizations still associate identity security primarily with passwords or multi-factor authentication. While these controls remain important, they only address initial access.
In contrast, effective identity security also considers:
What access a role genuinely requires
How access should change as responsibilities evolve
When access should expire or be reviewed
How administrators use elevated privileges
Without this broader governance, access naturally accumulates over time. Consequently, organizations face excess permissions, outdated access rights, and limited visibility.
Identity as the Foundation of Zero Trust
Zero Trust relies on continuous verification rather than assumed trust. Identity enables this shift by providing a consistent control point across systems.
When organizations treat identity as foundational:
Access aligns more closely with business roles
Least-privilege access becomes practical
Reviews happen more regularly and efficiently
Network location loses its role as a trust signal
As a result, security controls remain consistent across on-premises and cloud environments.
Addressing Joiner–Mover–Leaver Challenges
Access risk often increases during employee lifecycle changes.
For example:
New hires may receive unnecessary access
Role changes may not trigger timely updates
Departing users may retain access longer than intended
Therefore, organizations benefit from a structured identity lifecycle process. When access reflects authoritative role data, security improves while manual effort decreases.
Why Privileged Access Requires Extra Care
Privileged accounts introduce higher risk because they grant broad system control. If unmanaged, they can undermine otherwise strong security practices.
To reduce this risk, organizations should:
Avoid shared administrative credentials
Limit elevated access to specific time windows
Monitor and review privileged activity
When teams include privileged identities within the overall identity strategy, accountability improves and exposure declines.
Identity and Compliance Go Hand in Hand
Many audit findings stem from unclear access ownership or missing reviews. However, identity governance can address these issues proactively.
When organizations embed identity controls into daily operations:
Access visibility improves
Reviews occur consistently
Audit preparation becomes less disruptive
As a result, compliance becomes a natural outcome rather than a reactive exercise.
A Practical Way Forward
Zero Trust does not require an immediate overhaul of every system. Instead, many organizations start by improving identity governance.
By focusing on who has access, to what, and why, security teams can make meaningful progress toward Zero Trust while keeping complexity manageable.
