The key point: Zero-Trust verification of user identity and device trustworthiness reduces the attack surface on critical infrastructure that exploits stolen or compromised accounts.
Attacks on critical infrastructure typically use stolen login credentials, compromised devices, or trusted accounts as an entry point. Zero-Trust models should therefore verify both user identities and device trustworthiness before granting access to critical systems.
Critical infrastructure attacks frequently follow an established pattern: attackers exploit stolen or compromised login credentials, infected endpoints, or already-trusted accounts as leverage for initial access to protected systems.
For CISOs, this represents a central security risk, as traditional perimeter-based security concepts are not effective at blocking such seemingly legitimate access attempts from within. A Zero-Trust approach addresses this gap through continuous verification: every access to critical resources is validated not only against the identity of the user, but also against the trust status of the device being used.
Practical implementation requires technical controls at the identity and device level — such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), device health checks, and continuous compliance verification — as well as their orchestration within a consistent access control framework that functions in real time even under pressure.
Source: www.bleepingcomputer.com · Published 21 July 2026
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