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ABAC is an access control method that uses attributes of the requester, the resource, the environment, and the action to evaluate and enforce policies. ABAC allows for fine-grained and dynamic access control based on the context of the request, rather than predefined roles or privileges. ABAC is suitable for SaaS and PaaS, where the features within a service may vary depending on the customer’s needs, preferences, and subscription level. ABAC can help implement ZT by enforcing the principle of least privilege and verifying every request based on multiple factors.

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Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) Definition

General Access Control Guidance for Cloud Systems

A Guide to Secure SaaS Access Control Within an Organization

The first step that organizations should take to strengthen access requirements and protect their resources from unauthorized access by potential cyber threats is to understand and identify the data and assets that need to be protected. This step involves conducting a data and asset inventory and classification, which helps to determine the value, sensitivity, ownership, and location of the data and assets. By understanding and identifying the data and assets that need to be protected, organizations can define the appropriate access policies and controls based on the Zero Trust principles of never trust, always verify, and assume breach.

References = Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT) - Cloud Security Alliance, Zero Trust Training (ZTT) - Module 2: Data and Asset Classification

SOAR is a collection of software programs developed to bolster an organization’s cybersecurity posture. SOAR tools can automate the response to security events and incidents by executing predefined workflows or playbooks, which can include tasks such as alert triage, threat detection, containment, mitigation, and remediation. SOAR tools can also orchestrate the integration of various security tools and data sources, and provide centralized dashboards and reporting for security operations.

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Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT) prepkit, page 23, section 3.2.2

Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR) - Gartner

Security Automation: Tools, Process and Best Practices - Cynet, section “What are the different types of security automation tools?”

Introduction to automation in Microsoft Sentinel

A common activity in the scope, priority, and business case steps of ZT planning is to determine the organization’s current state. This involves assessing the existing security posture, architecture, policies, processes, and capabilities of the organization, as well as identifying the key stakeholders, business drivers, and goals for the ZT initiative. Determining the current state helps to establish a baseline, identify gaps and risks, and define the scope and priority of the ZT transformation.

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Zero Trust Planning - Cloud Security Alliance, section “Scope, Priority, & Business Case”

The Zero Trust Journey: 4 Phases of Implementation - SEI Blog, section “First Phase: Prepare”

The policy engine (PE) is the component in a ZTA that is responsible for deciding whether to grant access to a resource. The PE evaluates the policies and the contextual data collected from various sources, such as the user identity, the device posture, the network location, the resource attributes, and the environmental factors, and then generates an access decision. The PE communicates the access decision to the policy enforcement point (PEP), which enforces the decision on the resource.

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Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT) prepkit, page 14, section 2.2.2

What Is Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)? - F5, section “Policy Engine”

What is Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)? | NextLabs, section “Core Components”

[SP 800-207, Zero Trust Architecture], page 11, section 3.3.1

The rule-based security policies configured on the Policy Decision Point (PDP) are designed to define rules that specify how information can flow within an organization's network. These rules are integral to implementing the principle of least privilege and ensuring that data is accessed only by authorized entities under strict conditions. By controlling information flow, the PDP helps in mitigating the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access, reinforcing the Zero Trust model's emphasis on stringent access control and continuous verification of trust.

In Zero Trust Architecture, collecting logs from various sources is vital for supporting security investigations, creating comprehensive dashboards, and making informed policy adjustments. By maintaining integrity-protected logs of all security-related events and proofs, organizations can analyze patterns, detect anomalies, and respond to incidents more effectively. This continuous logging and analysis support the Zero Trust principle of never assuming trust and always verifying, enabling a dynamic and responsive security posture that can adapt to emerging threats and changing conditions​​.

In a ZTA, a policy decision point (PDP) is a logical component that evaluates the incoming signals from an entity requesting access to a resource against a set of access determination criteria, such as identity, context, device, location, and behavior1. A PDP then makes a decision to grant or deny access, or to request additional information or verification, based on the policies defined by the policy administrator1. A policy enforcement point (PEP) is a logical component that uses the incoming signals from the PDP to open or close a connection between the entity and the resource1. A PEP acts as a gateway or intermediary that enforces the decision made by the PDP and prevents unauthorized or risky access2.

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Zero Trust Architecture | NIST

Policy Enforcement Point (PEP) - Pomerium