What is a critical aspect of the Zero Trust security model supported by Cisco ISE?

The critical aspect of the Zero Trust security model supported by Cisco ISE is the continuous verification of all users and devices. This model operates on the premise that trust should not be given blindly based on location or network. Instead, every access request must be thoroughly verified, regardless of whether the user is inside or outside the corporate network.

In practice, Zero Trust means implementing robust mechanisms for authenticating and authorizing users and devices at all times. Cisco ISE plays a crucial role by providing dynamic access control policies that adjust based on real-time assessment of user and device context. This can include factors such as user roles, device compliance status, and even behavioral analytics.

The importance of continuous verification ensures that even if a user or device was previously trusted, they must be re-evaluated for each session or transaction. This mitigates risks associated with compromised credentials or devices that may have become untrustworthy over time, thereby enhancing overall security in the network environment.