Zero Trust Security Fundamentals for IT Professionals
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
Requirements
- A Desire to Learn
- Fundamentals of Information Technology and Cybersecurity (Beginners and Practitioners)
- Helpful but Not Required: Familiarity with Basic Network Concepts
Description
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
Who this course is for:
- IT and cybersecurity professionals seeking to understand Zero Trust fundamentals and Zero Trust security strategy
- Security architects and network engineers designing or implementing Zero Trust architectures and ZTNA solutions
- Technology and business leaders aligning Zero Trust strategy with enterprise objectives
- Cloud practitioners seeking vendor-neutral Zero Trust knowledge applicable across platforms like Microsoft and Cloudflare
- IT professionals involved in Zero Trust initiatives, Zero Trust Architecture planning, or ZTNA implementation
- Teams preparing for Zero Trust programs, audits, or board-level strategy discussions
- Professionals seeking a solid foundation to begin preparing for Zero Trust certifications like CCZT or NIST-aligned Zero Trust education
- Anyone seeking conceptual understanding of Zero Trust beyond vendor marketing materials
Instructors
About Us
Alton Teaches LLC is dedicated to providing IT training to aspiring IT professionals.
KISS. Teaching Approach
We follow a “Keep It Simple Student” approach to learning, breaking down complex topics into simplified discussions.
We Focus on the Fundamentals
One of our central philosophies is to teach you to crawl before you can walk. Why is this important? You can’t be a successful IT practitioner without mastering the fundamentals first.
We’re Here to Help You
Whether you’re brand new to IT or a seasoned IT professional, we welcome everybody. In fact, we cater to those looking to transition to IT.
Wisdom Begins with Wonder - Socrates
Alton Hardin is a former college professor and the founder and lead instructor at Alton Teaches LLC and MicroGrinder Poker School, as well as a best-selling author. He holds two graduate degrees, a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Information Assurance and Security Management, and a Master’s of Science (MS) in Information Technology Network Management. He has multiple IT industry certifications, including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP #740196), ITIL, Security+, Network+, Project+, eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester (eJPT), and several other certifications.
Alton has worked in information technology since 1999 and spent the last 12 years as a Cybersecurity specialist at the United States Department of Treasury before transitioning to teaching IT full-time. Alton also has a fond love for teaching. As an undergraduate, he group tutored chemistry students, and as a graduate student, he taught a GMAT prep course. Upon graduating from his MBA program, he began teaching as an adjunct professor for the School of Business & Public Administration at his local state university in the field of Information Systems and IT Management.
He is also the founder of MicroGrinder Poker School, an online poker school dedicated to micro stakes poker players, where he provides a wide array of free and low-cost poker resources and poker training, including poker strategy articles and poker training video series. He is also the Amazon #1 best-selling author of Essential Poker Math, Expanded Edition.
The Beautiful Thing About Learning Is That No One Can Take It Away from You. - B.B. King