In a zero-trust system, what should happen after the basic criteria for access have been met?

In a zero-trust system, after the basic criteria for access have been met, it is crucial to determine the level of confidence in the access request. This approach reflects the fundamental principle of zero trust, which assumes that threats could originate from both inside and outside the network. Therefore, it is not sufficient to solely rely on initial authentication; continuous assessment of access requests is necessary.

Evaluating the confidence level involves analyzing various factors, such as user behavior, the context of the request (e.g., location, device integrity), and the sensitivity of the data being requested. By doing so, the system can make informed decisions about whether to grant, deny, or limit access, effectively minimizing potential security risks. This adaptive security measure aligns with the zero-trust model's emphasis on ongoing verification rather than one-time validation.

Logging access requests and sending notifications to users are important as well, but they do not directly contribute to the dynamic security assessment that is vital in a zero-trust architecture. Granting access immediately, without any further assessment, undermines the proactive security posture that zero trust promotes.