ADAPTIVE TRUST BOUNDARY ENFORCEMENT: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ZERO TRUST ARCHITECTURE IMPLEMENTATION AND USABILITY CHALLENGES
Abstract
Purpose: This paper systematically reviews the implementation of Zero Trust (ZT) Architecture, focusing on the critical challenges associated with its deployment and, specifically, the nuanced trade-off between enhanced security and user-perceived usability friction. It aims to synthesize the current state of practice and identify the core arguments that are shaping the next generation of adaptive access control.
Β
Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted, synthesizing academic and industry documentation on ZT principles, architectural components, and empirical studies concerning user experience. The analysis utilized a novel Security-Usability Trade-Off (SUT) Matrix to map findings related to security strength against metrics of user friction, such as security fatigue and productivity effects.
Β
Findings: The findings confirm that ZT represents a fundamental paradigm shift from network-centric to identity-centric access control, leveraging real-time, continuous authentication attributes. A significant implementation barrier is the human element, where increased multi-factor authentication (MFA) requirements often lead to observable security fatigue and employee resistance. The most effective ZT models are those that integrate context-aware machine learning into the Policy Decision Point for truly adaptive, low-friction boundary enforcement.
Β
Originality: This study provides a unified conceptual framework for evaluating ZT implementation success that moves beyond purely technical metrics to incorporate essential human factors. It proposes the "Frictionless ZT" model as a necessary path for maximizing compliance and minimizing organizational cost associated with security fatigue.
Keywords
References
Similar Articles
- Dr. Dmitry V. Sokolov, Synergizing Generative AI and Explainable Machine Learning in Security Operations Centers: Mitigating Alert Fatigue and Enhancing Analyst Performance , International Journal of Cyber Threat Intelligence and Secure Networking: Vol. 2 No. 10 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 10
- John M. Callahan, Advancing Cyber Threat Intelligence Frameworks: Integrative Models, Sharing Mechanisms, and Predictive Analytics , International Journal of Cyber Threat Intelligence and Secure Networking: Vol. 2 No. 07 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 07
- Dr. Alistair C. Finch, From Reactive to Predictive: A Framework for Integrating Threat Intelligence with SIEM for Proactive Threat Hunting , International Journal of Cyber Threat Intelligence and Secure Networking: Vol. 2 No. 10 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 10
- Dr. Mateo Alvarez-Ruiz, From Reactive to Predictive Security: Integrating Threat Intelligence with SIEM for Proactive Threat Hunting , International Journal of Cyber Threat Intelligence and Secure Networking: Vol. 3 No. 01 (2026): Volume 03 Issue 01
- Dr. Jakob R. Neumann, Prof. Leila F. Mahmoud, Securing the Virtual Meeting Space: An Analysis of Cybersecurity Risks and Mitigation Strategies for Video Conferencing Platforms , International Journal of Cyber Threat Intelligence and Secure Networking: Vol. 2 No. 09 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 09
- Dr. Ahmed N. El-Tayeb, Miguel Γngel Ortega, INTEGRATING CYBER THREAT INTELLIGENCE WITHIN COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES: A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR ENHANCED SECURITY POSTURE , International Journal of Cyber Threat Intelligence and Secure Networking: Vol. 1 No. 01 (2024): Volume 01 Issue 01
- Dr. Layla Hassan, Reem Al-Mazrouei, EVOLVING PARADIGMS AND FUTURE TRAJECTORIES IN CYBER THREAT INTELLIGENCE , International Journal of Cyber Threat Intelligence and Secure Networking: Vol. 2 No. 06 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 06
- Dr. Mariam Al-Falasi, Dr. Tao Zhang, AUGMENTING SIEM WITH THREAT INTELLIGENCE FOR PREDICTIVE CYBER DEFENSE: A PROACTIVE THREAT HUNTING APPROACH , International Journal of Cyber Threat Intelligence and Secure Networking: Vol. 2 No. 03 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 03
- Dr. Amara Ndlovu, Dr. Faisal Khan, CYBERSECURITY IN VIRTUAL GATHERINGS: RISKS AND REMEDIAL STRATEGIES FOR VIDEO CONFERENCING SOFTWARE , International Journal of Cyber Threat Intelligence and Secure Networking: Vol. 2 No. 04 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 04
- Prof. Emily Zhang, Luca Romano, DEFENDING AGAINST EVOLVING CYBER THREATS: A HYBRID FRAMEWORK FOR ATTACK PATTERN ANALYSIS AND INTELLIGENCE INTEGRATION , International Journal of Cyber Threat Intelligence and Secure Networking: Vol. 2 No. 04 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 04
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.