Zero Trust in Action: Architecting Secure Systems Beyond Perimeters
UB5.132 | Day 1 | 18:30 - 18:55 | Speakers: Samvedna Jha, Suneetha
Abstract
As cyber threats grow in sophistication, the “trust but verify” model is no longer enough. Organizations are rapidly shifting toward Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) — a security paradigm where no user or device is inherently trusted, inside or outside the network.
Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) is no longer a buzzword—it’s a necessity. With traditional perimeter-based security models failing to address modern threats like lateral movement and insider attacks, organizations are increasingly adopting ZTA’s "never trust, always verify" philosophy.
This architecture is built on several pillars: - Identity-centric protection defining identity as the new perimeter. - Dynamic micro segmentation and contextual access controls to isolate resources. - Continuous monitoring and behavioural analytics to detect sophisticated lateral movements and insider threats. Modern ZTA implementations employ AI and automation for adaptive threat detection and response, dramatically reducing breach costs and attack surfaces for distributed enterprises. Adoption of Zero Trust is rapidly increasing, with industry research indicating that over 70% of organizations are integrating ZTA in their cybersecurity frameworks and at least 70% of new remote access deployments will rely on these principles by the end of 2025. Despite its robust security benefits, ZTA demands substantial investment in identity management, policy enforcement, and ongoing operational monitoring.
But how do we move from theoretical principles to practical implementation?
This talk explores the why and how of ZTA adoption for mid-level engineers and security practitioners. We’ll break down core ZTA components—identity-centric access, micro segmentation, and continuous monitoring—using real-world examples .
Attendees will leave with: • A clear roadmap for phased ZTA adoption, starting with high-value assets. • Strategies to balance security and user experience (e.g., just-in-time access). • Lessons from industry leaders like IBM on overcoming common pitfalls.
Whether you’re in DevOps, cloud security, or IT governance, this session will equip you to champion ZTA in your organization
Speakers
Samvedna Jha is a Senior Technical Staff Member in the IBM Power Systems organization, Bengaluru, India. She holds a masters degree in Computer Application and has more than twenty years of work experience. In her current role as Security Architect, IBM Power, she has worldwide technical responsibility to handle security and compliance requirements of Power products. Samvedna is a recognized speaker in conferences, has authored blogs, IBM Redbooks and published disclosures. She is also the security focal point for Power products secure release process.
A seasoned software engineer with 14+ years of experience in full stack design and development of front-end , backend in web applications and bringing new ideas to life through Architecting Generative AI and Agentic AI applications through open source large language models . Have an extensive expertise in designing and developing front ends as well as security GUI solutions in virtualisation environments related to Storage , Network and I/O Virtualisation.
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