Part 3 - Zero Trust Common Challenges and Solutions
January 28, 2025 •Network Solutions

This article describes the best practices of Zero Trust.
This is the third in a four part series.
Part 1 – Steps to Implementing Zero Trust
Part 2 – Zero Trust Best Practices
Part 3 – Common Challenges and Solutions of Zero Trust
Part 4 – Measuring Your Zero Trust Success
Zero Trust in Action: Overcoming Implementation Obstacles
Zero Trust has quickly become the gold standard for cybersecurity frameworks, but implementing it isn’t without its challenges. Many organizations stumble when moving from theory to practice. Whether it’s resistance to change or navigating complex technical hurdles, these obstacles can slow progress and dilute the effectiveness of your Zero Trust strategy. Here’s a closer look at the common challenges organizations face during implementation—and, more importantly, how to overcome them.
Obstacle 1: Resistance to Change
People are creatures of habit, and introducing Zero Trust often disrupts workflows. Employees accustomed to broad access permissions may view the framework as restrictive, while IT teams might be wary of the additional workload it entails.
The Solution:
Start with education. Help your teams understand that Zero Trust isn’t just about locking things down—it’s about creating a safer, more resilient organization. Use clear, relatable examples to demonstrate how cyber threats can directly impact their work and the business.
At the same time, involve key stakeholders early in the process. Collaborate with department leaders to align Zero Trust policies with business needs and minimize disruption.
Obstacle 2: Legacy Systems and Infrastructure
Legacy IT systems are often incompatible with the granular controls and modern authentication mechanisms required by Zero Trust. This can create roadblocks, especially for organizations heavily reliant on older technologies.
The Solution:
Adopt a phased approach. Start by identifying the systems most critical to your organization’s operations and focus on securing those first. Gradually integrate Zero Trust principles—such as multi-factor authentication and network segmentation—while planning for long-term modernization.
Additionally, leverage technologies like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and cloud-based identity platforms that can bridge the gap between legacy systems and Zero Trust requirements.
Obstacle 3: Complexity of Implementation
Implementing Zero Trust can feel overwhelming, particularly for organizations with sprawling networks, remote teams, or a mix of on-premises and cloud environments. The sheer scale of what needs to be secured may lead to delays or even project abandonment.
The Solution:
Break the process into manageable steps. Begin with a thorough audit of your IT environment to identify vulnerabilities and prioritize areas that need attention. Establish clear milestones to guide the implementation, such as deploying multi-factor authentication, creating micro-segmented networks, or enforcing the principle of least privilege.
Consider partnering with a managed security provider if internal resources are stretched thin. These experts can streamline the process and provide valuable guidance along the way.
Obstacle 4: Balancing Security and Usability
One of the most common concerns with Zero Trust is that it may hinder productivity. If employees or third-party vendors find it difficult to access the tools and systems they need, they may resort to insecure workarounds, defeating the purpose of Zero Trust.
The Solution:
Design policies that balance security with usability. Leverage context-aware authentication tools that adjust access requirements based on factors like device health, user location, or behavior. For example, an employee logging in from a known device in the office might face fewer barriers than someone accessing the network from an unrecognized device overseas.
Investing in user-friendly solutions, such as Single Sign-On (SSO), can also streamline the process without compromising security.
Obstacle 5: Ongoing Maintenance and Monitoring
Zero Trust isn’t a “set-it-and-forget-it” solution. Maintaining the framework requires continuous monitoring, policy adjustments, and regular reviews—all of which can strain IT teams.
The Solution:
Automation is your best friend. Deploy tools that use artificial intelligence and machine learning to monitor user behavior, detect anomalies, and adjust policies in real time. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems can centralize alerts and streamline incident response, reducing the burden on your team.
Schedule regular reviews of your Zero Trust framework to ensure it evolves alongside your organization’s needs and the changing threat landscape.
The Path to Success
Zero Trust implementation may present challenges, but each obstacle is an opportunity to strengthen your organization’s security posture. By fostering a culture of collaboration, embracing modern tools, and taking a phased approach, you can navigate these hurdles and emerge with a framework that protects your business in the long term.
Remember: Zero Trust isn’t just about solving today’s problems—it’s about building a foundation for a safer tomorrow.
Network Solutions, Inc. (NSI), founded in 1989 is a Managed Services and Cisco Gold Provider demonstrating advanced competencies across Cisco's solutions, including networking, security, collaboration, and data center technologies. This designation reflects NSI's commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality services backed by Cisco’s latest technology and best practices, ensuring that customers receive expert guidance and support for their implementations.
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