What is Zero Trust?
- Identity-first access: All users and devices must authenticate with strong, adaptive methods such as MFA and SSO.
- Least privilege: Users and applications receive only the access needed to perform their tasks.
- Micro-segmentation: Networks and applications are divided into smaller zones to contain potential breaches.
- Continuous validation: Ongoing monitoring of behavior, device posture, and risk signals informs access decisions.
- Cloud-native enforcement: Zero Trust is often delivered via cloud services, SASE/SSE platforms, and integrated security tools.
This reduces the attack surface, limits lateral movement, and strengthens protection in cloud-first and hybrid environments.
- Established: 2019
- Description: Tailscale is a modern Zero Trust networking platform built on WireGuard that creates secure, peer-to-peer connections between devices. It replaces legacy VPNs with an identity-based approach, ensuring encrypted access and simplified network management across teams, servers, and cloud environments.
- Features:
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) with WireGuard encryption.
- Single sign-on (SSO) integration with Google, Microsoft, Okta, GitHub, and more.
- Access control lists (ACLs) for granular user and device permissions.
- Tailscale SSH for identity-based, keyless secure shell access.
- MagicDNS and service discovery for simplified device connectivity.
- Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, containers).
- Cost: Free tier available; paid subscription plans for teams and enterprises.
- Website: tailscale.com
Zero Trust is a cybersecurity model based on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” Unlike traditional perimeter-based security, Zero Trust assumes that threats may already exist both inside and outside the network. As a result, no user, device, or application is automatically trusted.
- Established: 2007
- Description: Zscaler is a leader in cloud-delivered Zero Trust security. Its Zero Trust Exchange platform replaces traditional VPNs by securely connecting users, devices, and applications regardless of location. Zscaler minimizes the attack surface and enforces identity-based access.
- Features:
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).
- Cloud-native Secure Web Gateway (SWG).
- Data loss prevention (DLP) and cloud sandboxing.
- Integration with identity providers and SIEM tools.
- Cost: Paid (subscription-based, per-user licensing).
- Website: zscaler.com
By Randy Ferguson
- Established: 2005
- Description: Palo Alto Networks delivers Zero Trust security through its Prisma Access (SASE) and Prisma Cloud platforms. It provides unified network, cloud, and application protection for hybrid enterprises.
- Features:
- Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) with global coverage.
- Comprehensive workload and container security.
- Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM).
- Identity-driven Zero Trust enforcement.
- Cost: Paid enterprise licensing, varies by deployment scale.
- Website: paloaltonetworks.com
- Established: 1984 (Cisco), Duo Security acquired in 2018
- Description: Cisco’s Zero Trust framework is powered by Duo Security and Secure Access, extending Zero Trust principles across identities, devices, and networks. It emphasizes adaptive MFA, continuous monitoring, and secure application access.
- Features:
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and adaptive access.
- Device trust verification.
- VPN-less Zero Trust application access.
- Integration with Cisco’s broader security portfolio.
- Cost: Paid (tiered subscriptions, per-user pricing).
- Website: cisco.com
- Established: 2013
- Description: Illumio is a Zero Trust solution that provides micro-segmentation and network visibility to prevent lateral movement of threats. It ensures that only authorized communication is allowed between workloads.
- Features:
- Micro-segmentation for workloads.
- Real-time visibility into network traffic.
- Integration with cloud and on-premises environments.
- Cost: Paid (subscription-based).
- Website: illumio.com
Access is granted only after strict verification of identity, device health, and context and is continuously re-evaluated throughout the session.
- Established: 2009
- Description: Okta is an identity-first Zero Trust provider offering advanced Identity and Access Management (IAM), Single Sign-On (SSO), and adaptive MFA. Its platform integrates seamlessly with thousands of apps and enterprise security tools.
- Features:
- Adaptive MFA with contextual risk analysis.
- Single sign-on for cloud and on-premises apps.
- Lifecycle management and API access controls.
- Integration with SIEM, SOAR, and Zero Trust ecosystems.
- Cost: Paid (modular pricing, free trial available).
- Website: okta.com
- Established: Microsoft founded 1975, Azure Sentinel launched 2019
- Description: Microsoft builds Zero Trust into its Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), Defender security suite, and Sentinel SIEM/SOAR platform. The approach is identity-driven, offering advanced analytics and automated responses.
- Features:
- Identity protection with Entra ID (Azure AD).
- Extended detection and response (XDR).
- Automated incident investigation and remediation.
- Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 and Azure.
- Cost: Paid (subscription-based, consumption model in Azure).
- Website: microsoft.com/security
Zero trust is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and neither are the providers behind it. Evaluating their approaches, integrations, and customer support will help ensure you choose a partner that strengthens your defenses rather than complicates them.
- Established: 2011
- Description: CrowdStrike extends Zero Trust through its Falcon platform, which provides AI-driven endpoint detection and response (EDR/XDR), identity protection, and continuous risk-based access controls.
- Features:
- Endpoint and identity protection.
- Continuous behavioral risk analysis.
- Integration with third-party Zero Trust frameworks.
- Cloud-native XDR for scalable protection.
- Cost: Paid (tiered subscriptions per endpoint, modular add-ons).
- Website: crowdstrike.com
Listed are some of the leading Zero Trust Security Providers in 2025.
- Established: 2000
- Description: Fortinet’s Zero Trust approach leverages FortiSASE, FortiGate firewalls, and FortiTrust identity services to deliver secure access, segmentation, and endpoint control. Known for scalability and performance.
- Features:
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).
- Next-generation firewall (NGFW) with deep inspection.
- Secure Access Service Edge (SASE).
- Integration with Fortinet Security Fabric.
- Cost: Paid (subscription-based, appliance and cloud options).
- Website: fortinet.com
- Established: 1993
- Description: Check Point applies Zero Trust through its Infinity architecture, combining advanced threat prevention, identity integration, and network segmentation to secure enterprises across cloud and mobile environments.
- Features:
- Threat prevention with AI-driven intelligence.
- Identity-based Zero Trust controls.
- CloudGuard for hybrid and multi-cloud security.
- Mobile and endpoint protection.
- Cost: Paid (enterprise licensing, modular packages).
- Website: checkpoint.com
- Established: Broadcom 1961, Symantec acquired 2019
- Description: Broadcom delivers Zero Trust through its Symantec Enterprise Cloud, focusing on data-centric security, identity integration, and secure access for highly regulated industries such as finance and government.
- Features:
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP).
- Secure Web Gateway and Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB).
- Identity integration for Zero Trust policies.
- Compliance-driven threat protection.
- Cost: Paid (enterprise subscription and licensing).
- Website: broadcom.com
- Established: IBM founded 1911, IBM Security division 1995
- Description: IBM provides Zero Trust through its Security Verify IAM platform and Cloud Pak for Security. It offers adaptive authentication, identity governance, and cross-platform integration for hybrid and multi-cloud enterprises.
- Features:
- Advanced IAM and adaptive MFA.
- Zero Trust policy orchestration across clouds.
- Integration with SIEM, SOAR, and threat intelligence.
- Regulatory compliance and governance capabilities.
- Cost: Paid (enterprise contracts and subscription-based).
- Website: ibm.com/security
