NIST Publishes Guidance Offering 19 Approaches to Zero Trust Architecture

USA: NIST Publishes Guidance Offering 19 Approaches to Zero Trust Architecture

On June 11, 2025, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a new special publication that provides 19 practical implementations for building zero‑trust architectures (ZTAs) in modern enterprise networks. The guidance targets organizations in the United States and globally that are grappling with distributed workforces, cloud services, and increasingly complex network environments.

Why Zero Trust Matters

Traditional perimeter‑based security models assume that once a device gains entry, it can freely access internal resources. As remote work, multi‑cloud deployments, and third‑party access become commonplace, that perimeter has eroded, leaving networks vulnerable to lateral movement by attackers. Zero‑trust architecture adopts a risk‑based approach, continuously verifying users, devices, and connections before granting access.

NIST’s New Guidance Overview

The publication, NIST Special Publication 1800‑35, presents 19 example ZTA implementations built with commercial, off‑the‑shelf technologies. The document draws on results and best practices from 24 industry collaborators that participated in a four‑year project at the NIST National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE). While the guidance references specific products, NIST states that inclusion does not constitute endorsement.

Industry Collaboration and Real‑World Testing

According to Alper Kerman, a NIST computer scientist and co‑author of the guide, “Switching from traditional protection to zero trust requires a lot of changes. You have to understand who’s accessing what resources and why.” The team assembled scenarios that mirror large organizations, including multi‑cloud environments, a branch office, and a simulated coffee‑shop Wi‑Fi network for remote employees. Each scenario was installed, configured, and tested to evaluate performance and security outcomes.

Integration with Existing Frameworks

The new guidance builds on NIST’s 2020 Zero Trust Architecture publication (SP 800‑207) by offering concrete deployment steps. It also maps the demonstrated solutions to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and NIST SP 800‑53 controls, helping organizations align zero‑trust initiatives with established compliance requirements.

Implications for Organizations

Experts suggest that the detailed examples can serve as a foundational starting point for any organization seeking to design its own ZTA. As adoption of zero‑trust principles grows, the publication provides a practical roadmap that addresses both technical and operational challenges associated with modern network architectures.

This report is based on information from NIST, licensed under Public Domain (U.S. Government Work). Source: Official U.S. Government release.