Quick Answer
The answer is to assume all networks are hostile. This is a core principle of the zero trust security model because it rejects the traditional notion of a trusted internal network, enforcing the 'never trust, always verify' mandate on every access request regardless of origin. By treating all networks as hostile, zero trust requires continuous authentication and authorization for every user, device, and session, eliminating implicit trust based on location. On the CISSP exam, this principle tests your understanding of how zero trust flips the legacy perimeter-based security model on its head; a common trap is selecting options that still rely on network segmentation or VPNs as a trusted boundary. Remember the mnemonic "No Trust, No Perimeter" to recall that zero trust assumes hostility everywhere, not just outside the firewall.
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of security architecture and engineering. 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.
Which TWO of the following are principles of the zero trust security model? (Select TWO.)
Trust but verify
Why wrong: Incorrect. This is a traditional model.
Never trust, always verify
Correct. This is a core zero trust principle.
Users are inherently trustworthy
Why wrong: Incorrect. Zero trust assumes no inherent trust.
Assume all networks are hostile
Correct. Zero trust assumes networks are untrusted.
Perimeter defenses are sufficient
Why wrong: Incorrect. Zero trust rejects perimeter-based security.
Answer choices
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
The zero trust security model is founded on the principle of 'never trust, always verify,' meaning no entity—inside or outside the network—is trusted by default. This requires continuous authentication and authorization for every access request, regardless of the user's location or network. Option B correctly captures this core tenet.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Trust but verify
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. This is a traditional model.
Never trust, always verify
Why this is correct
Correct. This is a core zero trust principle.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Users are inherently trustworthy
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Zero trust assumes no inherent trust.
Assume all networks are hostile
Why this is correct
Correct. Zero trust assumes networks are untrusted.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Perimeter defenses are sufficient
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Zero trust rejects perimeter-based security.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'trust but verify' (a legacy perimeter model) with zero trust, or assume that zero trust still allows some inherent trust for authenticated users, when in fact it requires verification for every single access request regardless of prior authentication.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, zero trust implements continuous verification using technologies like mutual TLS (mTLS) for encrypted, authenticated connections and identity-aware proxies that enforce policy per session. In a real-world scenario, a compromised internal device cannot laterally move to sensitive resources because every request is re-evaluated against dynamic policies, often using tools like Google's BeyondCorp or NIST SP 800-207 architecture.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Security Architecture and Engineering — This question tests Security Architecture and Engineering — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Never trust, always verify — The zero trust security model is founded on the principle of 'never trust, always verify,' meaning no entity—inside or outside the network—is trusted by default. This requires continuous authentication and authorization for every access request, regardless of the user's location or network. Option B correctly captures this core tenet.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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