Zero Trust Maturity Evaluator

Evaluate your Zero Trust security posture across 8 NIST-aligned pillars — free for CISOs and security leaders.

Build a Stronger Security Posture in 2026

The threat landscape has fundamentally shifted. AI-powered attacks, identity-based intrusions, and software supply chain compromises have rendered perimeter security obsolete. Zero Trust — "never trust, always verify" — is now the baseline expectation for enterprise security programs.

This assessment covers all 8 pillars of a complete Zero Trust program: the 5 core pillars from the CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model v2.0 plus Automation & Orchestration, Visibility & Analytics, and Governance. Complete all pillars to get your full maturity picture and a prioritized roadmap.

NIST SP 800-207 & CISA ZTMM v2.0 aligned — industry-standard framework
25 questions across 8 pillars — ~10 minutes to complete
Actionable recommendations — tailored to your maturity level
100% private — all data stays in your browser
0/25 questions — Pillar 1 of 8: Identity0%

Identity

1 / 8

User, application, and service identity verification and lifecycle management — the cornerstone of Zero Trust.

How do you verify user identities across your environment?

Username and password only
MFA used in some systems
MFA required everywhere with phishing-resistant authenticators (FIDO2/passkeys)

How do you manage privileged access?

Static privileges with manual review processes
Privileged access management (PAM) for critical systems
Just-in-time privileged access with continuous verification and session recording

How do you authenticate non-human identities (services, APIs, workloads)?

Shared service accounts and long-lived API keys
Unique service identities with a secrets management vault
Short-lived, auto-rotated credentials with mutual TLS and workload identity federation

How do you manage the identity lifecycle (joiners, movers, leavers)?

Manual provisioning and deprovisioning with no formal process — orphaned accounts accumulate
HR-integrated automated provisioning with periodic access reviews and certification campaigns
Fully automated JML lifecycle with real-time deprovisioning, continuous access certification, and zero orphaned accounts

About Zero Trust Architecture

Zero Trust is a security paradigm built on "never trust, always verify." It requires continuous verification of every user, device, application, and data request — regardless of whether the request originates inside or outside the network perimeter.

In 2026, AI-powered attacks, identity-based intrusions, and software supply chain compromises are the dominant threat vectors. Zero Trust is no longer a roadmap goal — it's the operational baseline for organizations that need to defend against nation-state actors, ransomware groups, and insider threats simultaneously.

The three core Zero Trust principles from NIST SP 800-207:

  • Verify explicitly — Authenticate and authorize continuously based on all available signals: identity, device posture, location, service, data classification, and behavioral anomalies.
  • Use least-privilege access — Limit access with JIT/JEA policies, risk-based adaptive controls, and data-level protection. Assume every account can be compromised.
  • Assume breach — Design for containment. Segment access, encrypt everything, validate supply chain integrity, and use analytics to detect adversaries who are already inside.

How to Act on Your Results

  • Share results with your executive team and board to align on investment priorities — use the Governance pillar score as your starting point for the conversation
  • Build a phased roadmap: identity and visibility gaps deliver the highest risk reduction per dollar — start there
  • Address supply chain and email security early — they are the two most common initial access vectors in 2026
  • Re-assess quarterly to track progress and recalibrate your roadmap against new threats
  • Use results to support security budget requests with specific, measurable maturity targets

Essential Zero Trust Resources

Frameworks & Standards

Implementation Guidance

  • • Evaluate ZTNA solutions to replace legacy VPN and enforce least-privilege network access
  • • Assess SASE platforms for converged network security and access in a cloud-delivered model
  • • Engage an MSSP with XDR and 24/7 threat monitoring to accelerate visibility maturity
  • • Adopt an IGA platform to automate identity lifecycle and access certification

This tool is designed for CISOs, security architects, and risk leaders. Results reflect self-assessment and should be validated with technical teams. Industry-specific requirements (HIPAA, PCI-DSS, FedRAMP, NIS2) may impose additional controls beyond this framework.

© 2026 Zero Trust Maturity Evaluator — Free for all security professionals | zerotrustciso.com