Traditional security was built on the principle of “trust, but verify”. Zero Trust flips this logic: “never trust, always verify”. Let’s understand why this matters and how to apply it in life.
What Is Zero Trust
Old Model: Perimeter
Traditional approach - “castle with a moat”:
INTERNET (dangerous)
│
[Firewall]
│
INTERNAL NETWORK (safe)
│ │ │
PC Server DB
Problem: If an attacker gets inside - they gain access to everything.
New Model: Zero Trust
INTERNET
/ │ \
↓ ↓ ↓
[Verify] [Verify] [Verify]
↓ ↓ ↓
PC Server DB
Principle: Every request is verified, regardless of source.
Key Principles
- Never trust anyone: neither internal nor external users
- Always verify: every request is authenticated
- Least privilege: access only to what’s necessary
- Assume breach: build defense as if perimeter is already compromised
Why Perimeter No Longer Works
Changed Landscape
| Before | Now |
|---|---|
| Everyone in office | Remote work |
| One data center | Cloud, SaaS, hybrid |
| Corporate devices | BYOD (personal devices) |
| VPN for remote | Access from anywhere |
Attack Examples
Phishing: Employee clicks link → attacker inside network → access to everything.
VPN compromise: VPN credentials stolen → full access to internal network.
Lateral movement: One server breached → others attacked from it.
Zero Trust Components
1. Identity
Who is requesting access?
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Single sign-on (SSO)
- Device verification
- Behavioral analysis
2. Devices
What device is the request from?
- Device security posture
- Update status
- Antivirus presence
- Disk encryption
3. Network
Where is the request coming from?
- Microsegmentation
- Traffic encryption
- Anomaly monitoring
- VPN with device verification
4. Applications
What is being accessed?
- Least privilege access
- Application isolation
- Verification at every level
5. Data
What are we protecting?
- Data classification
- Encryption at rest and in transit
- DLP (data loss prevention)
- Access auditing
Zero Trust for Regular Users
Principles for Personal Use
- Don’t trust networks: consider any WiFi unsafe
- Verify sources: even messages from “friends” can be phishing
- Minimum permissions: only necessary permissions for apps
- Encrypt everything: VPN on public networks, encrypted messengers
Practical Actions
For accounts:
- 2FA everywhere possible
- Unique passwords for each service
- Check active sessions
- Audit connected applications
For devices:
- Automatic updates
- Disk encryption (BitLocker, FileVault)
- Antivirus with current databases
- Screen lock
For network:
- VPN on public networks
- Disable auto-connect to WiFi
- Separate networks at home (main + guest)
- DNS encryption (DoH/DoT)
Zero Trust and VPN
How VPN Fits into Zero Trust
Traditional VPN:
User + VPN password = Full network access
Zero Trust VPN:
User + MFA + device verification + context = Access to specific resource
What VPN Provides in Zero Trust Model
| Function | Without VPN | With VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic encryption | Depends on app | Always |
| IP hiding | No | Yes |
| Public network protection | Minimal | Complete |
| ISP monitoring bypass | No | Yes |
When VPN Is Essential
- Public WiFi networks
- Working from cafes, hotels, airports
- Accessing corporate resources
- Protection from ISP surveillance
Implementing Zero Trust at Home
Level 1: Basic
Time: 1 hour
- Enable 2FA on all important accounts
- Install a password manager
- Update all devices
- Set up VPN for public networks
Level 2: Advanced
Time: 2-3 hours
- Configure guest network on router
- Enable disk encryption
- Set up DNS encryption
- Audit app permissions
Level 3: Paranoid
Time: Ongoing
- Hardware keys for critical accounts
- Separate device for finances
- Regular audit of active sessions
- Data breach monitoring
Zero Trust for Small Business
Quick Wins
- SSO + MFA: single sign-on with two-factor authentication
- Least privilege: employees see only needed data
- Encryption: all devices with disk encryption
- Updates: automatic updates on all devices
Implementation Mistakes
❌ All or nothing: implement gradually, don’t try to do everything at once
❌ Ignoring UX: overly complex procedures will be bypassed
❌ Technology only: without user training, technology is useless
❌ Forgetting legacy: old systems are often most vulnerable
Zero Trust vs Traditional Security
| Aspect | Traditional | Zero Trust |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Trust, verify | Never trust |
| Perimeter | Clear (firewall) | Blurred (everywhere) |
| Access | By location | By identity |
| Verification | At entry | Continuous |
| Privileges | Broad | Minimal |
| Assumption | Inside is safe | Breach has occurred |
Zero Trust Tools
For Users
| Category | Tools |
|---|---|
| Passwords | 1Password, Bitwarden, KeePass |
| 2FA | YubiKey, Google Authenticator, Authy |
| VPN | WireGuard, Tainet, Mullvad |
| DNS | NextDNS, Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 |
| Browser | Firefox, Brave (with privacy settings) |
For Business
| Category | Solutions |
|---|---|
| Identity | Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace |
| Access | Cloudflare Access, Zscaler |
| Endpoint | CrowdStrike, Microsoft Defender |
| Network | Tailscale, Cloudflare WARP |
Zero Trust Checklist
Personal Security
- 2FA on all accounts
- Unique passwords in manager
- VPN for public networks
- Device encryption
- Regular updates
Home Network
- Strong router password
- Guest network for IoT
- DNS encryption
- WPS disabled
Online Behavior
- Check links before clicking
- Distrust unexpected messages
- Minimum app permissions
- Regular audit of connected services
Summary
Zero Trust isn’t a product - it’s a mindset. Instead of “inside is safe” - “security everywhere”.
For regular users this means:
- Don’t trust WiFi - use VPN
- Don’t trust messages - verify source
- Don’t trust one password - use 2FA
- Don’t trust the device - encrypt and update
Tainet helps implement one of Zero Trust’s key principles - protecting network traffic. VPN encrypts all data, regardless of which network you trust (correct answer - none).
