Module 1: Zero Trust Security for Sovereign Clouds

Overview

Master the Zero Trust security model and its application to sovereign cloud environments. This module covers foundational principles, sovereign-specific requirements, implementation patterns, and compliance integration for advanced security architects.

Duration: 3-4 hours
Learning Tracks: Sales & Technical
Prerequisites: Level 200 completion

Learning Objectives

Sales & Pre-Sales Track

  • ✅ Articulate Zero Trust value proposition to C-level executives
  • ✅ Differentiate sovereign cloud security from standard cloud
  • ✅ Structure security discussions around compliance frameworks
  • ✅ Position Zero Trust as enabler for digital sovereignty
  • ✅ Navigate regulatory security requirements in customer discussions

Technical Track

  • ✅ Understand all six Zero Trust pillars in depth
  • ✅ Implement Zero Trust controls in sovereign environments
  • ✅ Map Zero Trust to FedRAMP, GDPR, HIPAA, ITAR requirements
  • ✅ Design identity and access management for sovereign clouds
  • ✅ Implement monitoring and compliance automation
  • ✅ Troubleshoot Zero Trust policy issues

Table of Contents

  1. Zero Trust Principles → zero-trust.md
  2. Implementation Architecture → zero-trust-architecture.md
  3. Monitoring & Compliance → zero-trust-monitoring.md
  4. Hands-On Lab → zero-trust-lab.md

Key Concepts

What is Zero Trust?

Zero Trust Security Model: A security approach that assumes no implicit trust and requires continuous verification of all users, devices, and applications before granting access to resources.

Traditional Perimeter Security (Legacy):

Internet ← Firewall ← Internal Network (Trusted)
          ↓
    Once inside perimeter, access assumed

Zero Trust Model (Modern):

Every Access Request → Identity Verification
                    ↓
                Device Check
                    ↓
                Risk Assessment
                    ↓
                Conditional Access Policies
                    ↓
                    Grant (Limited, Monitored)

Why Zero Trust for Sovereign Clouds?

1. Enhanced Control:

  • Customer maintains explicit control over all access decisions
  • No implicit trust based on network location
  • Meets sovereign cloud requirement: “Customer control over access”

2. Regulatory Alignment:

  • FedRAMP mandates continuous monitoring and verification
  • GDPR requires granular access controls for data protection
  • HIPAA requires audit trails for all access
  • ITAR requires explicit user/device validation

3. Data Protection:

  • Access tied to business need and risk level
  • Sensitive data accessible only with highest verification
  • Compliance data stays within sovereign boundary

4. Operational Independence:

  • Works in disconnected environments (local verification)
  • Doesn’t depend on cloud provider infrastructure
  • Local enforcement of access policies

The Six Zero Trust Pillars

Pillar 1: Identity

Verify every user’s identity before access. Not based on network location or past authentication.

Key Controls:

  • Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
  • Passwordless authentication options
  • Conditional Access based on user risk
  • Just-in-time (JIT) access elevation

Pillar 2: Device

Ensure device health and compliance before allowing access to resources.

Key Controls:

  • Device compliance assessment
  • Health attestation
  • Device management enrollment
  • Conditional Access based on device status

Pillar 3: Network

Assume external network is untrusted. Implement microsegmentation and monitoring.

Key Controls:

  • Network microsegmentation
  • VPN or SD-WAN enforcement
  • Encrypted communications
  • Network monitoring and anomaly detection

Pillar 4: Application

Protect applications with authentication and authorization at application layer.

Key Controls:

  • Application-level authentication
  • API security and validation
  • Rate limiting and DDoS protection
  • Application monitoring and logging

Pillar 5: Data

Classify, encrypt, and protect sensitive data. Ensure access is logged and monitored.

Key Controls:

  • Data classification
  • Encryption in transit and at rest
  • Access logging and audit trails
  • Tokenization or redaction

Pillar 6: Infrastructure

Secure cloud infrastructure, container orchestration, and compute resources.

Key Controls:

  • Infrastructure access controls
  • Container security
  • Compute resource hardening
  • Infrastructure monitoring

Sovereign Cloud-Specific Requirements

Additional Sovereign Requirements

Standard Cloud Zero Trust:

  • Baseline security controls
  • Cloud provider managed infrastructure
  • Regional availability
  • Standard compliance frameworks

Sovereign Cloud Zero Trust:

  • Data Residency: All access must occur within sovereign boundary
  • Customer Control: Explicit customer control over all access policies
  • Government Compliance: FedRAMP, GDPR, ITAR, or other frameworks
  • Air-Gap Capable: Can operate in disconnected mode
  • Audit & Transparency: Complete audit trail accessible to customer
  • Local Enforcement: Access controls enforced locally, not cloud-dependent

Compliance Integration

FedRAMP Requirements:

  • Continuous monitoring of access (AC-2, AC-3)
  • Enforcement of user-based controls (AC-4)
  • Automated audit logging (AU-2, AU-12)

GDPR Requirements:

  • Data subject rights (access, deletion, portability)
  • Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)
  • Encryption and pseudonymization
  • Access logging for compliance

HIPAA Requirements:

  • Access controls based on role and need
  • Audit controls for all access
  • Encryption of healthcare data
  • De-identification procedures

ITAR Requirements:

  • U.S. person verification
  • Controlled access to technical data
  • Storage within approved regions
  • Export control compliance
  1. Start: Zero Trust Principles Page - Understand core concepts
  2. Deep Dive: Implementation Architecture - See how components work
  3. Operations: Monitoring & Compliance - Learn operational procedures
  4. Practice: Hands-On Lab - Implement Zero Trust controls

Next Steps

Ready to begin? Start with Zero Trust Principles →

Module Duration: 6-8 hours
Completion Time: ~1-1.5 weeks at 6 hours/week
Recommended Prerequisites: Complete before Module 2: Azure Local at Scale - Connected

Table of contents