Zero Trust is not a single product. It is an architectural approach that assumes access decisions should be continuously evaluated using identity, device, application, data and context. Identity modernization is therefore a major foundation.

Programs may include stronger authentication, conditional access, privileged access management, federation, lifecycle governance and improved monitoring. The design needs to balance security with usability and interoperability, especially where multiple organizations or legacy applications are involved.

Architects and security specialists should be able to explain how identity decisions affect cloud services, network design, application integration and operations. Migration planning is as important as target-state architecture because existing accounts and access models cannot always be changed at once.

Candidates should describe the architecture, governance, controls and implementation outcomes they influenced.