Zero Trust Architecture for Modern Web Applications

  <h2>What is Zero Trust?</h2>
  <p>Zero Trust is a security model that assumes no implicit trust. Every request must be verified, regardless of where it originates. The principle: "Never trust, always verify."</p>
  
  <h2>Core Principles</h2>
  <ol>
    <li><strong>Verify explicitly:</strong> Authenticate and authorize every request</li>
    <li><strong>Least privilege access:</strong> Grant minimum required permissions</li>
    <li><strong>Assume breach:</strong> Design as if attackers are already inside</li>
  </ol>
  
  <h2>Implementing Zero Trust</h2>
  <p>Zero Trust requires multiple layers of verification:</p>
  
  <pre><code>// Verify every API request

export async function verifyRequest(req: Request) { // 1. Verify authentication token const token = req.headers.get('authorization'); const user = await verifyToken(token); if (!user) throw new Error('Unauthorized');

// 2. Verify user still exists and is active const dbUser = await User.findById(user.id); if (!dbUser || !dbUser.active) throw new Error('User inactive');

// 3. Verify permissions for this specific resource const resource = await getResource(req.params.id); if (!canAccess(user, resource)) throw new Error('Forbidden');

// 4. Verify request origin and device const deviceFingerprint = getDeviceFingerprint(req); if (!isKnownDevice(user.id, deviceFingerprint)) { await sendSecurityAlert(user); throw new Error('Unknown device'); }

return { user, resource }; }

  <h2>Micro-Segmentation</h2>
  <p>Divide your application into small segments with strict access controls:</p>
  <ul>
    <li>Separate API gateways for different services</li>
    <li>Service-to-service authentication</li>
    <li>Network isolation</li>
    <li>Resource-level permissions</li>
  </ul>
  
  <h2>Continuous Monitoring</h2>
  <p>Zero Trust requires constant vigilance:</p>
  <ul>
    <li>Log all access attempts</li>
    <li>Monitor for anomalies (unusual access patterns)</li>
    <li>Real-time alerts for suspicious activity</li>
    <li>Regular security audits</li>
  </ul>
  
  <h2>Conclusion</h2>
  <p>Zero Trust is the future of security. By verifying every request and assuming breach, you build applications that are resilient to attacks. Start with authentication verification, add device tracking, and gradually implement full zero trust principles.</p>