ZERO TRUST SECURITY MODELS FOR CLOUD PLATFORMS: IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE STRATEGIES

Abstract

The Zero Trust Security Model has emerged as a critical approach to cloud security, offering enhanced protection through continuous verification and strict access controls. This study examines the practical implementation of Zero Trust frameworks within cloud environments and evaluates their effectiveness in aligning with regulatory standards such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2. Key findings demonstrate that Zero Trust reduced unauthorized access incidents by 85% and decreased internal threat detection time by 40%, underscoring its capacity to protect sensitive data. Compliance adherence also saw a notable improvement, with alignment to industry benchmarks increasing by up to 30%. These results indicate that Zero Trust is a viable solution for securing cloud infrastructures while ensuring regulatory compliance. This research provides a foundation for organizations to adopt Zero Trust strategies that meet evolving security needs and regulatory demands in cloud-based systems.