DHS Zero Trust Approach Focuses on Standards Development, Tech Independence

A cybersecurity science adviser at the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Science and Technology said its zero trust implementation map involves standards development and independence.

Donald Coulter, a past Potomac Officers Club speaker, shared during the 930Gov conference that the DHS will ensure that its zero trust implementation includes awareness expansion and metadata improvements associated with the cybersecurity resources it uses. He said the things the DHS is looking at include the integrity of zero trust solutions, implementation independence and integrity and the creation and use of high standards across various aspects.

Coulter also pointed out that the DHS wants to solve zero-trust-related problems like standards creation for visibility, enhanced resilience and understanding of the cybersecurity architecture, Federal News Network reported.

The official’s comments join others from the defense sector who recently spoke about zero trust implementation.

Speaking at the AFCEA TechNet Asia-Pacific conference in Hawaii, Paul Nicholson, deputy chief information officer of the Indo-Pacific Command, said the combatant command needs a zero trust architecture that can work for the U.S. military and other partner organizations. At a separate event, U.S. Coast Guard officials highlighted the importance of investing in data management and solving technology-related problems in effectively implementing zero trust.