<!-- Copyright (c) 2026 defconxt. All rights reserved. -->
<!-- Licensed under AGPL-3.0 — see LICENSE file for details. -->
<!-- NERF is a trademark of defconxt. -->
---
name: implementing-identity-zero-trust
description: >-
  Implement zero trust identity architecture with continuous verification,
  least privilege enforcement, micro-segmentation of identity access, and
  policy-based access control aligned with NIST SP 800-207.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: identity-security
tags:
  - zero-trust
  - identity-architecture
  - nist-800-207
  - continuous-verification
  - least-privilege
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
metadata:
  mitre-attack:
  - T1078
  - T1550
  - T1556
  - T1098
  - T1134
---

# Implementing Identity Zero Trust

## Overview

Zero trust identity architecture eliminates implicit trust by requiring
continuous verification of every identity, device, and session. It enforces
least privilege access through policy engines, micro-segments identity access
based on risk, and assumes breach in all access decisions. This technique
aligns with NIST SP 800-207 principles.

## Prerequisites

| Requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Python 3.10+ | Agent tooling |
| SIEM access | Log correlation |
| IdP API access | Identity provider queries |
| `pip install msal` | Microsoft auth library |
| `pip install okta` | Okta SDK |

## Key Concepts

### Zero Trust Identity Architecture

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                  Policy Engine (PDP)                  │
│  ┌──────────┐  ┌──────────┐  ┌──────────┐          │
│  │ Identity  │  │ Device   │  │ Risk     │          │
│  │ Verify    │  │ Trust    │  │ Score    │          │
│  └──────────┘  └──────────┘  └──────────┘          │
└─────────────────────┬───────────────────────────────┘
                      │ Policy Decision
                      ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│              Policy Enforcement Point (PEP)           │
│  ┌──────────┐  ┌──────────┐  ┌──────────┐          │
│  │ Allow    │  │ Step-Up  │  │ Block    │          │
│  └──────────┘  └──────────┘  └──────────┘          │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

### NIST 800-207 Tenets Applied to Identity

| Tenet | Identity Application |
|---|---|
| All data sources are resources | Every identity store is a protected resource |
| All communication is secured | All auth flows use encrypted channels |
| Access granted per session | No persistent sessions without re-evaluation |
| Access determined by policy | Dynamic policies based on identity + context |
| All assets monitored | Continuous identity posture monitoring |
| Auth/authz strictly enforced | No bypass paths for any identity type |
| Continuous improvement | Risk model and policies evolve with threats |

## Workflow

```
1. ASSESS     — Evaluate current identity architecture against ZT maturity model
2. DESIGN     — Define zero trust identity policies and architecture
3. INSTRUMENT — Deploy policy decision and enforcement points
4. VERIFY     — Implement continuous identity verification
5. SEGMENT    — Micro-segment identity access by role and risk
6. ENFORCE    — Enable least privilege with JIT/JEA access
7. MONITOR    — Continuous posture assessment and policy refinement
```

## Verification

```bash
# Validate agent script
python3 -m py_compile scripts/agent.js && echo "OK" || echo "FAIL"
ruff check scripts/agent.js

# Run agent help
node scripts/agent.js --help
```

## References

- [MITRE ATT&CK — Identity Techniques](https://attack.mitre.org/tactics/TA0006/)
- [NIST SP 800-63 Digital Identity Guidelines](https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-3/)
- [NIST SP 800-207 Zero Trust Architecture](https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-207/final)
- [CIS Controls v8](https://www.cisecurity.org/controls/v8)
