Zero Trust Architecture for Telecom Operations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63282/3050-922X.IJERET-V4I3P113Keywords:
Zero Trust Architecture (Zta), Zero Trust Security, Never Trust, Always Verify, Identity-Centric Security, Continuous Authentication, Least Privilege Access, Explicit Verification, Adaptive Access ControlAbstract
The rapid evolution of telecommunications infrastructure driven by 5G, cloud-native network functions, and distributed edge systems has intensified the need for robust and adaptive security models. Traditional perimeter-based defenses are increasingly ineffective against modern threats such as signaling attacks, API exploitation, and multi-vendor supply-chain vulnerabilities. Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) presents a strategic shift in telecom security by removing implicit trust and enforcing continuous authentication, authorization, and verification across all network layers. Recent work emphasizes that telecom networks’ openness and service-based architecture (SBA) make them prime candidates for Zero Trust adoption, especially as 5G network slicing and virtualized functions expand the attack surface (GSMA, 2021; Zhang et al., 2022). Foundational security frameworks, such as NIST SP 800-207, establish core Zero Trust principles least privilege, micro-segmentation, and strong identity management that can be directly applied to telecom operational environments (NIST, 2020). Studies indicate that integrating ZTA with telecom operations enhances isolation between network functions, reduces lateral movement, and strengthens real-time threat detection through AI-driven analytics (Ahmad et al., 2023). This research explores the architectural requirements, implementation strategies, and operational impacts of Zero Trust within telecommunications systems. The findings highlight Zero Trust as an essential paradigm for securing next-generation telecom networks and ensuring resilient, scalable, and trust-minimized operations
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