What does the term "Zero Trust" refer to?

The term "Zero Trust" refers to a security model that emphasizes the need for strict identity verification for every person and device attempting to access resources on a network, regardless of whether they are located within or outside the network perimeter. This approach recognizes that traditional security models based on the assumption that internal users are trustworthy can leave organizations vulnerable to modern threats.

By adopting Zero Trust, an organization ensures that every access request is authenticated, authorized, and continuously validated. This model often employs techniques such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), least privilege access, and segmentation of the network to minimize potential attack surfaces.

The other options do not align with the Zero Trust model, as they suggest practices that either allow unrestricted access or lack necessary verification, which contradicts the fundamental principles of Zero Trust security.