Zero Trust Assessment Tool

Evaluate your organization’s Zero Trust security maturity across multiple domains

Zero Trust Assessment Tool

This tool helps you evaluate your organization’s Zero Trust security maturity across multiple domains and provides actionable recommendations for improvement.

Assessment Questionnaire

Complete the following questionnaire to evaluate your organization’s Zero Trust maturity. The assessment covers seven key domains of Zero Trust security.

1.1 What percentage of user accounts use multi-factor authentication (MFA)?

Less than 25%

25-50%

51-75%

76-100%

1.2 How are privileged accounts managed?

No special management for privileged accounts

Basic controls (dedicated accounts, password policies)

Privileged Access Management (PAM) system with workflow controls

Just-in-time privileged access with full monitoring and session recording

1.3 How is identity governance implemented?

Manual processes for user lifecycle management

Partial automation of user lifecycle management

Automated identity lifecycle with regular access reviews

Comprehensive identity governance with risk-based access controls and continuous certification

2.1 How do you validate device security posture?

No device validation

Basic managed devices with standard configurations

Device health attestation for managed devices

Comprehensive device health validation for all devices (managed and BYOD)

2.2 How are software updates and patches managed?

Manual or ad-hoc patching

Centralized patch management for critical systems

Automated patch management for all systems with compliance reporting

Comprehensive patch management with risk-based prioritization and verification

2.3 How are endpoint protection controls implemented?

Basic antivirus only

Endpoint protection platform with centralized management

Advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR)

Next-gen endpoint security with behavior analysis and automated response

3.1 How is network segmentation implemented?

Minimal segmentation (basic firewall only)

Basic segmentation (separate VLANs for different functions)

Micro-segmentation with detailed access controls

Software-defined perimeter with identity-based access controls

3.2 How is encrypted communication enforced?

Basic encryption for select communications (e.g., VPN for remote access)

Transport encryption for most external communications

Encryption for all external and critical internal communications

End-to-end encryption for all communications with certificate validation

3.3 How do you monitor network traffic?

Basic perimeter monitoring

Network monitoring with IDS/IPS capabilities

Advanced network traffic analysis with behavioral analytics

Comprehensive network detection and response with full visibility

4.1 How is data classified and protected?

No formal data classification

Basic data classification without automated enforcement

Data classification with automated protection for sensitive data

Comprehensive data governance with automated classification and protection

5.1 How comprehensive is your security monitoring?

Basic log collection without correlation

SIEM implementation with basic correlation rules

Advanced monitoring with behavior analytics and user activity monitoring

Comprehensive monitoring with AI-driven analytics and automated response

Assessment Results

Overall Zero Trust Maturity Score

65%

Intermediate

Domain Maturity Scores

Domain	Score	Maturity Level
Identity & Access	75%	Advanced
Device Security	50%	Intermediate
Network Security	67%	Intermediate
Data Protection	25%	Basic
Visibility & Analytics	75%	Advanced

Key Recommendations

Focus Areas for Improvement:

• Data Protection: Implement a formal data classification framework with automated controls for sensitive data.
• Device Security: Enhance endpoint protection with advanced EDR capabilities and improve patch management processes.
• Network Security: Move toward micro-segmentation to limit lateral movement and enhance network visibility.

Detailed Recommendations

• Expand MFA to cover all user accounts, not just privileged access.
• Implement just-in-time privileged access to reduce standing privileges.
• Enhance identity governance with automated access reviews and certifications.

• Implement device health attestation for all managed devices.
• Enhance patch management with automated compliance reporting.
• Upgrade endpoint protection to include behavioral analytics and EDR capabilities.

Next Steps

1. Review the detailed recommendations with your security team
2. Prioritize improvements based on risk and current maturity gaps
3. Develop a phased Zero Trust implementation roadmap
4. Implement quick wins while planning for longer-term initiatives
5. Reassess maturity periodically to track progress

Understanding Zero Trust Maturity

Zero Trust is a security framework based on the principle “never trust, always verify.” It requires verifying every user and device before granting access to resources, regardless of location.

Maturity Model

Our Zero Trust Assessment uses a four-level maturity model:

1. Initial (0-25%): Basic or minimal implementation of Zero Trust principles
2. Basic (26-50%): Foundational elements in place but limited in scope
3. Intermediate (51-75%): Comprehensive implementation across most domains
4. Advanced (76-100%): Sophisticated implementation with continuous validation

Key Domains

The assessment covers these critical domains:

1. Identity and Access Management
   • Multi-factor authentication
   • Privileged access management
   • Identity governance
2. Device Security
   • Device validation
   • Patch management
   • Endpoint protection
3. Network Security
   • Micro-segmentation
   • Encrypted communications
   • Network visibility
4. Data Protection
   • Data classification
   • Encryption
   • Data access controls
5. Application Security
   • Secure development
   • API security
   • Application access controls
6. Visibility and Analytics
   • Security monitoring
   • Threat detection
   • User behavior analytics
7. Automation and Orchestration
   • Security policy enforcement
   • Response automation
   • Continuous validation

Implementation Guide

Phase 1: Foundation (0-6 months)

Focus on establishing the foundational elements:

• Identity
  • Implement MFA for privileged accounts
  • Consolidate identity providers
  • Establish baseline access policies
• Devices
  • Create device inventory
  • Deploy basic endpoint protection
  • Implement patch management
• Network
  • Establish network visibility
  • Document asset dependencies
  • Implement basic segmentation
• Monitoring
  • Deploy centralized logging
  • Establish security baseline
  • Implement basic alerts

Phase 2: Intermediate (6-12 months)

Expand security controls across domains:

• Identity
  • Extend MFA to all users
  • Implement privileged access management
  • Establish access certification processes
• Devices
  • Deploy advanced endpoint protection
  • Implement device health validation
  • Enhance patch compliance
• Network
  • Implement enhanced segmentation
  • Deploy additional monitoring
  • Encrypt sensitive traffic
• Data
  • Implement data classification
  • Deploy basic data protection controls
  • Establish data access governance

Phase 3: Advanced (12-24 months)

Enhance capabilities with advanced controls:

• Identity
  • Implement continuous authentication
  • Deploy just-in-time access
  • Establish risk-based access controls
• Devices
  • Implement continuous device validation
  • Deploy advanced behavioral analytics
  • Establish automated remediation
• Network
  • Implement micro-segmentation
  • Deploy software-defined perimeter
  • Establish encrypted communications everywhere
• Automation
  • Implement policy-based automation
  • Deploy security orchestration
  • Establish continuous validation

Further Resources

To learn more about Zero Trust security:

• NIST SP 800-207: Zero Trust Architecture
• Zero Trust Maturity Model (CISA)
• Zero Trust Implementation Guide
• Zero Trust Security Webinar

About Zero Trust Assessments

Regular assessment of your Zero Trust maturity helps:

1. Identify gaps in your security posture
2. Prioritize improvements based on risk and business impact
3. Measure progress over time
4. Benchmark against industry peers
5. Communicate security posture to leadership and stakeholders

We recommend conducting this assessment at least annually, as well as after major changes to your IT environment or business operations.