TrustZero -- open, verifiable and scalable zero-trust

TL;DR

TrustZero introduces a scalable, cryptographically secure trust token framework based on Zero Trust Architecture principles, enhancing cybersecurity by enabling continuous verification and robust trust attestations across systems.

Contribution

It presents a novel trust token system that integrates cryptography with ZTA, providing a scalable, verifiable, and adaptable security layer for diverse organizational environments.

Findings

Developed a cryptographically secure trust token system.

Enabled continuous verification and trust attestations.

Compatible with legacy systems and inter-organizational communication.

Abstract

We present a passport-level trust token for Europe. In an era of escalating cyber threats fueled by global competition in economic, military, and technological domains, traditional security models are proving inadequate. The rise of advanced attacks exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities, supply chain infiltration, and system interdependencies underscores the need for a paradigm shift in cybersecurity. Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) emerges as a transformative framework that replaces implicit trust with continuous verification of identity and granular access control. This thesis introduces TrustZero, a scalable layer of zero-trust security built around a universal "trust token" - a non-revocable self-sovereign identity with cryptographic signatures to enable robust, mathematically grounded trust attestations. By integrating ZTA principles with cryptography, TrustZero establishes a secure web-of-trust framework adaptable to legacy systems and inter-organisational communication.