Overview
Info
The CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model was developed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to guide Zero Trust adoption across civilian agencies and private organizations.
This model is focused on helping organizations evolve toward Zero Trust by assessing and improving their cybersecurity capabilities across defined pillars.
Model Purpose
Tip
Unlike architecture blueprints, this model helps agencies evaluate where they are on the journey to Zero Trust and plan how to mature over time.
- Supports civilian federal agencies and private sector organizations
- Complements other frameworks like the DoD Zero Trust Architecture
- Encourages phased implementation across security capabilities
Core Pillars
The model defines five essential areas (pillars) that organizations must address:
- Identity – Ensure users are authenticated and authorized using strong identity management
- Devices – Maintain visibility and trust evaluation of all connected devices
- Networks – Segment and secure internal communications, even within trusted boundaries
- Applications – Protect applications and their access paths through security policies
- Data – Enforce data governance, classification, and protection mechanisms
Maturity Stages
Each pillar includes capabilities measured across three maturity levels:
- Traditional – Legacy approaches, limited automation
- Advanced – More granular policies, dynamic trust evaluation
- Optimal – Full Zero Trust implementation with automation, real-time decision making
Sector-Specific Application
Note
The CISA and DoD Zero Trust frameworks are complementary—each tailored for its audience:
- DoD Zero Trust Architecture: Military/Defense networks
- CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model: Civilian and private sector organizations
Summary
- A flexible, evolving roadmap toward Zero Trust
- Emphasizes capability building over rigid blueprints
- Encourages realistic assessments and iterative improvements
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