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Udemy

Zero Trust Security Fundamentals for IT Professionals

via Udemy

Overview

Learn Zero Trust: NIST Architecture, Pillars, Design, Migration, Implementation, Maturity Models, Use Cases, and More

What you'll learn:
  • Understand what Zero Trust really is, the core principle of "never trust, always verify," essential Zero Trust definitions, and tenets of Zero Trust security
  • Explore the pitfalls of perimeter-based security and understand why digital transformation is driving Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) adoption
  • Understand the NIST Zero Trust Architectural Model (SP 800-207), including architecture approaches and deployment models for Zero Trust
  • Understand the five Zero Trust pillars: Users & Identity, Devices, Network & Environment, Applications & Workloads, and Data
  • Learn proven Zero Trust design principles and understand the five-step Zero Trust design methodology
  • Understand how to build a compelling business case for Zero Trust adoption and create effective Zero Trust implementation teams
  • Examine practical Zero Trust use cases including ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access), East-West segmentation, and secure access from anywhere
  • Explore real-world Zero Trust implementations from Microsoft Zero Trust and Cloudflare Zero Trust platforms
  • Compare multiple Zero Trust maturity frameworks from NSA, Microsoft, CISA, and the Department of Defense
  • Analyze real-world breaches (SolarWinds, Colonial Pipeline) to understand how Zero Trust addresses modern threats

LEARN ZERO TRUST SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS FROM ONE OF UDEMY'S TOP IT INSTRUCTORS

Are you an IT or cybersecurity professional interested in learning about Zero Trust? If so, you've come to the right place!

Zero Trust has evolved from an emerging concept to the preferred security strategy for enterprise networks, systems, applications, devices, data, and cloud services. Following high-profile breaches like SolarWinds and Colonial Pipeline, plus the U.S. federal government's mandate (Executive Order 14028) requiring Zero Trust adoption, organizations worldwide are rapidly implementing Zero Trust architectures and ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) solutions.

In this 4-hour course, I'll show you step-by-step the fundamentals of Zero Trust security, teaching you essential Zero Trust architectural principles you need to know—mapped to NIST SP 800-207.

As a CISSP-certified cybersecurity professional and Forrester Certified: Adopting Zero Trust instructor, I bring both deep security expertise and formal training in the industry's leading Zero Trust frameworks.


WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING

"This is a phenomenal class. I'm a professional trainer and consultant, and this instructor is top notch. He's got a great, calming voice which makes it easy to listen to. The material is technical, but he always makes sure it is understandable. I highly recommend this Zero Trust class for beginners to advanced students." — Todd Lammle ★★★★★

"I am a long-time Cybersecurity veteran, but have not deployed a comprehensive ZTA. This course is very informative and easy to follow." — Larry ★★★★★

"I really enjoyed this class. Alton provided me with exactly what I was looking for, a solid overview of Zero Trust that went well beyond just a surface-level-understanding, without committing me to several days worth of training. Alton has a very comfortable and relatable teaching style, and his overall content organization, flow, use of impactful graphics, inclusion of additional Resources, and the key-concepts excerpts were all extremely helpful. Definitely one of the best online classes I've ever taken!" — Brian ★★★★★

"This course was excellent. It helped me move from zero to a place where I can confidently look for specific tools and vendors to help my organization become more secure." — Michael ★★★★★


STRATEGY OVER TECHNOLOGY

This course teaches Zero Trust as a security strategy and framework, not just a collection of technologies. You'll learn the NIST-aligned Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) model and gain the shared vocabulary needed to collaborate with technical teams and business leaders.

This isn't a hands-on device configuration course. You won't configure firewalls or SIEM systems. Instead, you'll gain the strategic knowledge needed to guide Zero Trust initiatives, design Zero Trust architectures, and build business cases for adoption—the same frameworks I learned through Forrester's Zero Trust certification program.


WHAT YOU'LL RECEIVE IN THIS COURSE

  • 4 Hours of HD Video Lectures

  • 2 Real-World Case Studies (SolarWinds Attack & Colonial Pipeline Breach)

  • 8 Section Quizzes

  • Vendor-Neutral, NIST-Aligned Zero Trust Framework Education

  • Edited Closed Caption Subtitles and Video Transcripts

  • PDF Lectures of All Course PowerPoint Slides

  • Downloadable Course Videos for Offline Viewing with Udemy Mobile App


KEY COURSE TOPICS

  • Zero Trust Fundamentals (Definitions, Tenets, Historical Context)

  • Why We Need Zero Trust Security (Perimeter Security Pitfalls, Digital Transformation, SolarWinds Case Study)

  • Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) Fundamentals (NIST Model, Real-Life Solutions, Deployment Models)

  • Zero Trust Architectural Pillars (Users & Identity, Devices, Network & Environment, Applications & Workloads, Data)

  • Designing a Zero Trust Architecture (Design Principles, Five-Step Methodology, Forrester's Approach)

  • Migrating to Zero Trust (Building Business Cases, Creating Teams, Implementation Strategies)

  • Exploring ZTA Use Cases (ZTNA/VPN-Less Access, East-West Segmentation, Microsoft Zero Trust, and Cloudflare Zero Trust Step-by-Step Examples)

  • Zero Trust Maturity Models (NSA, Microsoft, CISA, DoD Frameworks for Assessing Your Zero Trust Journey)


BY THE END OF THIS COURSE, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO:

  • Understand Zero Trust security as a cybersecurity strategy and the NIST Zero Trust architectural model

  • Describe a NIST-aligned Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) reference model and outline practical steps for implementation and migration

  • Gain a shared vocabulary and decision frameworks to collaborate with technical teams and business leaders on Zero Trust initiatives

  • Understand how to build compelling business cases for Zero Trust adoption in your organization

  • Evaluate ZTNA solutions and other Zero Trust vendor offerings against conceptual frameworks using real-world examples from Microsoft and Cloudflare

  • Navigate multiple Zero Trust maturity models to assess and advance your organization's Zero Trust journey

  • Gain a solid foundation to begin preparing for Zero Trust certifications like CCZT (Certified in Cybersecurity Zero Trust) if you choose to pursue them


PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS AND EXPERIENCED PRACTITIONERS

Whether you're learning Zero Trust for the first time or you're an experienced practitioner seeking structured, vendor-neutral knowledge, this course provides the foundation you need. No prior Zero Trust experience required—just a working knowledge of IT security fundamentals.


PREVIEW THIS COURSE FOR FREE

Scroll down and click the blue "Preview" buttons to watch sample lectures and see my teaching style before you enroll.


READY TO MASTER ZERO TRUST FUNDAMENTALS?

Join over 220,000 students who've taken my IT and cybersecurity courses. Start building your Zero Trust security expertise today.

See you inside the course!

Alton

Syllabus

  • Course Introduction
  • Zero Trust Fundamentals
  • Why We Need Zero Trust
  • Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) Fundamentals
  • Zero Trust Architectural Pillars
  • Designing a Zero Trust Architecture
  • Migrating to Zero Trust
  • Exploring ZTA Use Cases
  • Zero Trust Maturity Models
  • Conclusion & Next Steps

Taught by

Alton Teaches LLC and Alton Hardin | 250,000+ Enrollments Worldwide

Reviews

4.6 rating at Udemy based on 2081 ratings

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