Zero trust is no longer a buzzword in federal cybersecurity - it is a mandate. Executive Order 14028 and OMB Memorandum M-22-09 have set clear deadlines for federal agencies to adopt zero-trust architectures. But moving from policy to implementation remains a significant challenge.
We worked with three federal agencies at different stages of zero-trust maturity to understand what separates successful implementations from stalled initiatives. The findings were consistent: agencies that succeeded started with identity and access management rather than network segmentation, invested in comprehensive asset inventory before deploying monitoring tools, and engaged end users early to minimize friction.
The most common pitfall was attempting a wholesale transformation rather than an incremental approach. Agencies that tried to overhaul their entire security architecture simultaneously often encountered budget overruns and stakeholder fatigue. Those that adopted a phased approach - prioritizing high-value assets and expanding outward - achieved compliance faster and with fewer disruptions.
Zero trust is a journey, not a destination. Continuous monitoring, adaptive policies, and regular reassessment are essential to maintaining a true zero-trust posture as threats evolve.