What’s next for zero trust?
2 minute read
Jonny Scott
August 20th, 2025
Zero trust is now the foundation of cyber security, despite misconseptions. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) are powerful enablers of secure access. But what comes next?
Traditional security relied heavily on a network perimeter, but after the huge shifts we’ve seen in recent years, securing specific parameters isn’t just difficult, it’s nearly impossible. Employees, contractors, and third parties access data from anywhere, on any device. This shift has pushed organisations to adopt identity and context-based security models like Zero Trust.
ZTNA replaces legacy VPNs with secure, adaptive access based on who the user is, where they’re connecting from, and the state of their device. Meanwhile, SASE combines networking and security into a single cloud-delivered service, giving organisations agility, performance, and security in one.
What’s driving the push into ZTNA and SASE?
- Hybrid work is the norm, demanding seamless and secure access from anywhere
- Cloud adoption continues to grow, spreading data across SaaS, IaaS, and hybrid environments
- Rising threats like AI-powered phishing and ransomware require faster, more adaptive defences
- Data privacy regulations are forcing companies to tighten identity and access controls
As a result, organisations are rethinking how they connect users to resources, and how they monitor, authenticate, and authorise those connections in real time.
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The future of ZTNA and SASE
ZTNA and SASE are evolving to deliver smarter, more adaptive security. ZTNA is shifting from basic identity checks to real-time, context-aware access based on user behaviour, device health, and location. Machine learning will drive dynamic policy enforcement, while agentless options will simplify secure access for third parties. Integration with behaviour analytics will help detect threats early.
At the same time, SASE is maturing into a unified platform that blends SD-WAN and cloud security. Future solutions will offer AI-driven threat detection, better performance for cloud apps, and consistent policy enforcement across networks and users.
On-demand webinar: Building a secure future with Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
In this interactive session, Phoenix’s cyber security experts, Jonathan Scott and Paul Jolliffe, unpack what ZTNA really means for organisations today, and what it will mean in the future.
Watch the on-demand webinar for free to discover how ZTNA can become a cornerstone of your cyber security strategy, and how Phoenix can help guide and support you from strategy to solution building on the principle of “never trust, always verify.”
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What you should prioritise now to prepare for the future
The future of zero trust starts with a proactive mindset. You should:
- Evaluate SASE readiness, especially around cloud adoption and network architecture
- Invest in identity-first security, combining MFA, conditional access, and behaviour monitoring
- Simplify where possible, looking for platforms that integrate networking and security
- Adopt a maturity model to benchmark progress and demonstrate value to the business
To move forward, organisations need to align technology, people, and process. That means assessing current maturity, identifying quick wins (like replacing VPNs with ZTNA), and building a clear roadmap prioritising training and integration.
Organisations that embrace zero trust will see not only reduced risk but also happier employees that can access their technology securely anywhere.
Talk to us about zero trust
Now’s the time to rethink how your organisation connects people to technology. Talk to us about zero trust security for your organisation.
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About the author
Jonny Scott, Head of Cyber Advisory.
Beginning his career in IT at 17, Jonny first built a strong foundation in Corporate Sales, where he developed a deep understanding of customer needs and the commercial drivers behind technology adoption. Even in these early years, long before cyber security became the priority it is today, Jonny was drawn to the challenge and importance of helping organisations protect their people and data. This ambition guided his move into more strategic roles within business development, building out a security focused strategy for Phoenix.