Zero Trust Architecture Maturity Assessment Checklist
This Zero Trust Architecture maturity assessment ensures alignment with NIST SP 800-207 Zero Trust Architecture, CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model v2.0, and DoD Zero Trust Reference Architecture. Designed for security architects to assess organizational ZTA maturity across all five pillars: Identity, Devices, Networks, Applications/Workloads, and Data.
- Industry: Telecommunications & IT
- Frequency: Semi-Annually
- Estimated Time: 45-60 minutes
- Role: Security Architect / CISO / Zero Trust Program Lead
- Total Items: 22
- Compliance: NIST SP 800-207 Zero Trust Architecture, CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model v2.0 (April 2023), DoD Zero Trust Reference Architecture v2.0 (2022), Microsoft Zero Trust Adoption Framework, EO 14028 Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity (ZT mandate)
Identity Pillar
Strong identity verification for all users, services, and devices.
- MFA enforced universally across 100% of user accounts?
- Phishing-resistant MFA (FIDO2/WebAuthn/PIV) deployed for privileged users?
- Conditional Access / risk-based authentication policies enforced?
- Service accounts use managed identities or short-lived tokens (no static passwords)?
- Privileged Identity Management (PIM) with just-in-time access?
Device Pillar
Device health verification as an access control signal.
- Device compliance health check required before granting resource access?
- All corporate endpoints enrolled in MDM/EMM (Intune/Jamf/SCCM)?
- EDR risk signal incorporated into Conditional Access decisions?
- BYOD policy enforced with minimum compliance requirements (OS version, encryption)?
Network Pillar
Eliminate implicit network trust and implement segmentation.
- Application workloads isolated via micro-segmentation or SDN?
- No implicit full network access granted based on VPN connection alone?
- ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) solution replacing or augmenting VPN?
- East-west (internal) traffic inspected and restricted between workloads?
Data Pillar
Data classification, encryption, and access governance.
- All sensitive data classified, labeled, and inventoried?
- Attribute-based or role-based access control enforced for data access?
- Sensitive data encrypted at rest and in transit with managed keys?
- DLP policies enforcing data handling rules based on classification label?
Visibility, Analytics, and Automation
Continuous monitoring, UEBA, and ZT automation maturity.
- Continuous telemetry collected from Identity, Device, Network, App, and Data pillars?
- UEBA (User and Entity Behavior Analytics) detecting anomalous activity?
- Automated policy enforcement and response to detected anomalies?
- Zero Trust roadmap with measurable milestones documented and tracked?
- Zero Trust Maturity Assessment Notes
Related IT & Data Security Checklists
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- AWS Cloud Security Configuration and CIS Benchmark Checklist
- Microsoft Azure Security Configuration and CIS Benchmark Checklist
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Why Use This Zero Trust Architecture Maturity Assessment Checklist?
This zero trust architecture maturity assessment checklist helps telecommunications & it teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for security architect / ciso / zero trust program lead professionals, this checklist covers 22 critical inspection points across 5 sections. Recommended frequency: semi-annually.
Ensures compliance with NIST SP 800-207 Zero Trust Architecture, CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model v2.0 (April 2023), DoD Zero Trust Reference Architecture v2.0 (2022), Microsoft Zero Trust Adoption Framework, EO 14028 Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity (ZT mandate). Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Zero Trust Architecture Maturity Assessment Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 22 inspection items across 5 sections: Identity Pillar, Device Pillar, Network Pillar, Data Pillar, Visibility, Analytics, and Automation. It is designed for telecommunications & it operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed semi-annually. Each completion takes approximately 45-60 minutes.
Who should use this Zero Trust Architecture Maturity Assessment Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Security Architect / CISO / Zero Trust Program Lead professionals in the telecommunications & it industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.