Zero Trust Architecture

02 - Zero Trust

Zero Trust
Architecture

Reduce risk with stronger identity, access and segmentation controls. Zero Trust is not a single product - it's a security approach based on verifying access, reducing implicit trust and limiting what users, devices and systems can reach. RTCS helps Australian organisations apply Zero Trust principles in a practical way that fits their environment, risk profile and business needs.

  • Zero Trust strategy and roadmap development
  • Identity and access architecture
  • Conditional Access design and MFA uplift
  • Privileged access review and PIM design
  • Device compliance and endpoint trust signals
  • Internal and cloud network segmentation review
  • Application, SaaS and cloud access governance
  • Data protection, classification and logging alignment
  • Zero Trust maturity assessment and remediation planning
Discuss This Service
Pillars
Identity - device - network - application - data - visibility & analytics - automation
Platforms
Entra ID - Microsoft 365 - Intune - Azure - AWS - Google Cloud - SaaS - third-party IdPs
Engagement Types
Maturity assessment - architecture review - Conditional Access design - roadmap - uplift
Outputs
Risk-rated findings - Zero Trust roadmap - CA design - device trust recommendations - executive summary
Zero Trust NIST 800-207 Essential Eight ISO 27001
ZT
Maturity & Roadmap
CA
Conditional Access Design
Seg
Network & Cloud Segmentation
AU
Onshore Delivery
01 / Context

Access shouldn't be trusted by default.

Zero Trust Architecture is a security model that assumes access should not be trusted by default. Access decisions should consider identity, device health, location, risk signals, data sensitivity, user role and business need - across users, administrators, services and third parties.

02 / Questions It Answers

A practical Zero Trust approach answers these every request.

Q1

Who is accessing the system?

Q2

Is the device trusted and compliant?

Q3

Does the user need this access?

Q4

Is the access appropriate for the risk?

Q5

Can access be limited to only what is required?

Q6

Is activity being logged and monitored?

Q7

Can suspicious access be blocked or challenged?

03 / Common Gaps

Where traditional perimeter thinking leaves risk.

Once a user, device or system is inside the network, it often has more access than it needs. That creates risk when accounts are compromised, devices are unmanaged, remote access is exposed or internal systems are poorly segmented.

Users with excessive access Weak or inconsistent MFA Poorly designed Conditional Access Unmanaged devices on business systems Flat internal networks Overly broad VPN access Excessive administrator privileges Limited application-level access Poor user & device visibility Cloud & SaaS access not reviewed
04 / Identity & Access

Identity is the foundation.

RTCS reviews how users, administrators, service accounts and third parties access systems and data.

Entra ID / IdP review MFA enforcement Conditional Access design Privileged access controls Role-based access control Guest & external user access Service account access Joiner, mover, leaver process Access review requirements

For the full IAM program behind these controls, pair with Identity & Access Management.

05 / Device & Endpoint Trust

Access decisions should consider the device.

Whether a device is managed, secure and compliant should shape what it's allowed to reach. RTCS reviews device trust and endpoint controls across workstations, mobile devices and servers.

Device compliance policies Endpoint protection coverage Patch & update posture Mobile device management Conditional Access device signals BYOD access controls Device risk reporting Endpoint logging & response
06 / Network Segmentation

Zero Trust doesn't mean removing networks. It means removing unnecessary access between them.

RTCS reviews network segmentation and access paths to reduce lateral movement risk.

Internal network segmentation Cloud network segmentation Firewall rule review VPN & remote access review Private access design Sensitive system isolation Administrative access paths Logging & monitoring points
07 / Application & Cloud Access

Access enforced at the application, not just the perimeter.

RTCS reviews access to cloud platforms, SaaS applications and internal systems so it's aligned to business need and risk.

Application access controls Single sign-on coverage SaaS user & admin access Cloud role assignments External sharing controls App consent & integrations Data access permissions Logging & alerting

For cloud-side configuration and exposure, pair with Cloud Security. For Azure-specific posture, see Azure Security Posture & CIS Benchmark Review.

08 / Zero Trust vs Product

Zero Trust vs Product

Zero Trust is not a product

No single tool delivers Zero Trust. It's an architecture and operating model supported by identity, device, network, application, data and monitoring controls working together.

You probably don't need to replace systems

Most organisations can improve Zero Trust maturity by better configuring existing identity, endpoint, network, cloud and monitoring tools - not by buying new ones.

Understand to Support

A practical, staged engagement that delivers a Zero Trust roadmap aligned to your environment.

01
Understand

Review your systems, users, devices, applications, cloud platforms and current access model.

02
Assess

Assess identity, device, network, application and data controls against Zero Trust principles.

03
Prioritise

Identify the highest-risk gaps and recommend practical improvements.

04
Design

Develop a Zero Trust roadmap that fits your business and technical environment.

05
Support

Where required, support implementation planning, control uplift and ongoing governance.

09 / Who It's For & What You Receive

Who It's For & What You Receive

Who This Service Is For

  • Need to improve identity and access security
  • Want to reduce excessive access
  • Need stronger MFA and Conditional Access
  • Need to reduce lateral movement risk
  • Need to improve device-based access decisions
  • Use M365, Entra ID, Azure, AWS or SaaS platforms
  • Need a practical Zero Trust roadmap
  • Want to improve security without complexity

Typical Deliverables

  • Zero Trust maturity assessment
  • Zero Trust architecture review
  • Identity and access findings
  • Conditional Access recommendations
  • Device trust recommendations
  • Network segmentation findings
  • Application access review
  • Cloud and SaaS access findings
  • Risk-rated recommendations
  • Zero Trust roadmap
  • Executive summary
  • Prioritised remediation plan
10 / Related Services

Where Zero Trust connects to the rest of the program.

Identity & Access Management

Entra ID, AD, MFA, Conditional Access, PIM and the full identity program behind the architecture.

Cloud Security

Cloud configuration, exposure and identity controls in the same Azure, AWS and GCP environments.

Azure Posture & CIS Benchmark

CIS-aligned configuration review for Azure landing zones supporting Zero Trust controls.

Security Architecture & Design

Broader architecture, threat modelling and design decisions Zero Trust principles support.

Security Integration & Engineering

Hands-on rollout of Conditional Access, MFA, PIM, Intune and SIEM integrations.

Detection & Response

SIEM, EDR and identity monitoring that surface suspicious access decisions in real time.

Penetration Testing

Validation that the access controls actually hold up against real attacker techniques.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

Audit evidence, control mapping and risk reporting that supports the Zero Trust program.

Zero Trust works best when it's realistic, staged and aligned to business needs. Talk to us about Zero Trust architecture, Conditional Access design, identity security, device trust, network segmentation or a Zero Trust roadmap.

Common Questions

What is Zero Trust Architecture?

Zero Trust Architecture is a security approach that removes implicit trust and verifies access based on identity, device, context, risk and business need.

Is Zero Trust a product?

No. Zero Trust is not a single tool or product. It is an architecture and operating model supported by identity, device, network, application, data and monitoring controls.

Do we need to replace our existing systems?

Not usually. Many organisations can improve Zero Trust maturity by better configuring existing identity, endpoint, network, cloud and monitoring tools.

Can you help with Conditional Access?

Yes. RTCS can review and design Conditional Access policies that support stronger access control without unnecessary user disruption.

Can you help with network segmentation?

Yes. RTCS can review internal and cloud network segmentation to reduce unnecessary access and lateral movement risk.

Is Zero Trust only for large organisations?

No. Zero Trust principles can be applied at different levels of maturity. The right approach depends on the organisation's size, systems, risk and resources.

Can you create a Zero Trust roadmap?

Yes. RTCS can assess current maturity and provide a practical roadmap for improving identity, device, network, application and data controls.