US Transportation Command Implements Zero Trust on Classified Networks

The U.S. Transportation Command has implemented core zero trust capabilities on its classified networks.

Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, the commander of USTRANSCOM, said during a National Defense Transportation Association meeting that the zero trust implementation means that the combatant command’s classified networks have reached a baseline maturity level. She stated that her organization will continue implementing zero trust, particularly in the unclassified environment.

Zero trust is a cybersecurity framework that actively reviews users and platforms. It is one of the key components of the Department of Defense’s cybersecurity strategy, DefenseScoop reported Tuesday.

Van Ovost said USTRANSCOM will continue to work with the NDTA and other organizations and ensure that the combatant command will continue to evolve its cybersecurity environment and support the U.S. government.

According to software company CrowdStrike, zero trust requires all users to be authenticated, authorized and continuously validated for security before being allowed to access data or applications. It assumes that networks can be local, cloud-based, or a combination of both.

USTRANSCOM’s zero trust initiative is also in line with President Joe Biden’s cybersecurity executive order that was signed in May 2021. One of the components of the EO requires federal government agencies to develop a plan to implement zero trust that incorporates standards and guidance developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.