implementing-zero-trust-in-cloud

# Implementing Zero Trust in Cloud ## When to Use - When migrating from traditional perimeter-based security to identity-centric access controls - When eliminating VPN dependencies for remote workforce access to cloud applications - When implementing continuous verification for every access request regardless of network location - When designing micro-segmentation strategies for multi-cloud workloads - When regulatory requirements mandate zero trust architecture adoption (federal mandates, NIST guidelines) **Do not use** for simple VPN replacement without broader architectural changes, for network firewall rule management alone (see implementing-cloud-network-segmentation), or for identity provider initial setup (see managing-cloud-identity-with-okta). ## Prerequisites - Identity provider capable of OIDC/SAML integration (Okta, Azure AD, Google Workspace) - Device management solution for endpoint trust assessment (Intune, Jamf, Google Endpoint Verification) - Cloud workloads accessible via HTTPS with load balancer or reverse proxy infrastructure - SIEM platform for continuous monitoring of access decisions and anomaly detection ## Workflow ### Step 1: Define Zero Trust Principles and Architecture Establish the core principles following NIST SP 800-207: never trust, always verify. Every access request must be authenticated, authorized, and encrypted regardless of origin. ``` Zero Trust Architecture Components: +---------------------------------------------------------...