- A
Never trust, always verify
This is the core principle of zero trust.
- B
Trust but verify
Why wrong: Zero trust is 'never trust, always verify', not 'trust but verify'.
- C
Trust internal users implicitly
Why wrong: Zero trust does not implicitly trust internal users.
- D
Trust network location as a primary factor
Why wrong: Zero trust does not rely on network location for trust.
Question 252 of 1,000
CISSP Communication and Network Security Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of communication and network security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A security architect is designing a zero-trust network. Which principle is fundamental to a zero-trust architecture (ZTA) such as BeyondCorp?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Never trust, always verify
In a zero-trust architecture (ZTA) like Google's BeyondCorp, the foundational principle is 'never trust, always verify.' This means no entity—user, device, or network—is trusted by default, regardless of its location (inside or outside the corporate perimeter). Every access request must be authenticated, authorized, and continuously validated before granting access to resources, eliminating implicit trust based on network location.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Never trust, always verify
Why this is correct
This is the core principle of zero trust.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Trust but verify
Why it's wrong here
Zero trust is 'never trust, always verify', not 'trust but verify'.
- ✗
Trust internal users implicitly
Why it's wrong here
Zero trust does not implicitly trust internal users.
- ✗
Trust network location as a primary factor
Why it's wrong here
Zero trust does not rely on network location for trust.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse 'trust but verify' (a common security mantra) with zero-trust, but the key distinction is that zero-trust removes all implicit trust, including for internal users and devices.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, BeyondCorp implements zero-trust by using a centralized access proxy that enforces policy based on device inventory, user identity (via certificates or OAuth), and real-time risk signals (e.g., device posture checks). Every request is intercepted and evaluated against a dynamic policy engine, often leveraging mutual TLS (mTLS) to ensure both client and server authenticate each other. In practice, this means a user on a compromised device inside the corporate LAN still cannot access sensitive resources without passing continuous verification, as seen in Google's implementation where all access goes through an access proxy regardless of location.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Communication and Network Security — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CISSP question test?
Communication and Network Security — This question tests Communication and Network Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Never trust, always verify — In a zero-trust architecture (ZTA) like Google's BeyondCorp, the foundational principle is 'never trust, always verify.' This means no entity—user, device, or network—is trusted by default, regardless of its location (inside or outside the corporate perimeter). Every access request must be authenticated, authorized, and continuously validated before granting access to resources, eliminating implicit trust based on network location.
What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This CISSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CISSP exam.
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