What is Zero Trust?
Zero Trust is a security model that assumes every request - even from inside the corporate network - is potentially hostile until proven otherwise via identity, device posture, and context.
The model replaces the old 'castle and moat' approach (trust everything inside the firewall, distrust everything outside) with continuous verification: every request must prove identity (MFA), device health (managed + patched), and authorization (least privilege).
Implementation typically involves an Identity Provider (Microsoft Entra, Okta, Auth0), a device-management layer (Intune, Jamf), and conditional-access policies that gate access based on real-time signals.
Zero Trust is increasingly required by federal contractors and is on most 2026 security renewal questionnaires as a maturity indicator.
Why it matters for Florida small business
Zero Trust isn't a product you buy - it's a posture you adopt. For Florida small offices, it usually starts with M365 Business Premium + Conditional Access policies.
What to do
If you're on M365 Business Premium, turn on Conditional Access policies that require MFA + compliant device for every sign-in.