I had the opportunity to speak at Futurescot Digital Scotland in November last year alongside our partner, Fortinet . The event was a fantastic opportunity to delve into the latest innovations shaping the Scottish public sector from a digital perspective. One of the key themes of my talk was Zero Trust adoption.
Here’s what I’ve learned about Zero Trust and why it should be on the radar of every organisation navigating today’s rapidly changing workplace environment.
The term “Zero Trust” can sometimes be misinterpreted as simply a product or solution to be purchased and implemented. In reality, Zero Trust is a mindset—a way of thinking about security that fundamentally shifts how organisations approach access control.
The principles of Zero Trust assume that no user or device—whether inside or outside your network—should ever be trusted by default. Instead, access is granted based on strict identity verification, continuous monitoring, and robust authentication processes.
But here’s the catch: Zero Trust isn’t something you buy off the shelf. It’s a long-term strategy that requires cultural, procedural, and technological change within an organisation.
The good news? Many organisations are already closer to Zero Trust adoption than they might think.
If your business has started integrating multi-factor authentication (MFA), single sign-on (SSO), endpoint protection, or even robust role-based access controls, then you’ve already begun laying the foundations of Zero Trust.
This isn’t about starting from scratch; it’s about recognising the pieces of the puzzle you already have in place and gradually building out from there. It’s also about embracing a shift in perspective, from the outdated “castle and moat” approach to one that prioritises secure, identity-driven access at every level.
Rather than viewing Zero Trust as a daunting, all-or-nothing overhaul, consider it as a set of building blocks.
Every element you introduce—be it enhanced endpoint security, identity-based policies, or real-time threat detection—becomes another block in your Zero Trust architecture. The process is iterative and adaptable, allowing your organisation to evolve at a pace that suits your unique needs.
Flexibility is key.With today’s distributed networks, employees are no longer confined to a single office space. Data is hosted across multiple cloud environments, and access needs are increasingly dynamic. Zero Trust, as a modular and scalable approach, helps you meet these challenges head-on.
The workplace has undergone a seismic shift. Remote and hybrid working models are now the norm, and this brings with it a host of new challenges around connectivity and security.
For example, traditional VPNs—a go-to solution for remote access—often lack the flexibility and granular control required for modern workplaces. It’s no wonder that Gartner predicts zero-trust network access will continue, so that by 2025 at least 70% of new remote access deployments will rely on ZTNA rather than VPN services.
ZTNA provides a more robust solution by ensuring that every request for access is evaluated and verified in real time. This is crucial for preventing data breaches, mitigating lateral movement within networks, and safeguarding sensitive applications.
At FullProxy, we’ve seen firsthand how implementing Zero Trust principles can transform an organisation’s security posture. However, we also recognise that this journey can feel overwhelming without the right support.
That’s why partnerships are so important. One of our trusted partners, Fortinet, provides a seamless, end-to-end solution for Zero Trust adoption. With their Zero Trust Access capabilities, organisations can transition from traditional VPNs to a Zero Trust architecture with ease, improving both security and user experience.
Adopting Zero Trust is no longer a “nice to have”; it’s a necessity in today’s digital-first world. It’s about protecting your data, your employees, and your business from the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.
By shifting your mindset, recognising the progress you’ve already made, and building your Zero Trust strategy block by block, you’ll position your organisation for success—not just today, but in the years to come.
We’re the UK’s most certified F5 and Fortinet cyber security specialists and have 30 years of industry-leading experience.
Get in touch to learn more about how we can help secure your environment and get quicker ROI from your investment
