Definition

Zero Trust is a security model built on the assumption that no network location, device, or identity should be implicitly trusted. Every access request must be authenticated, authorized, and continuously validated against policy.

Why it matters

Validator operations involve sensitive access paths, signing material, monitoring systems, and automation. Zero Trust removes the assumption that an internal network, familiar host, or long-lived credential is safe by default.

Validator context

In validator infrastructure, Zero Trust means least-privilege access, explicit operator roles, limited blast radius, reviewed automation, and no casual trust between systems simply because they share a network.