Certified: The Security+ Prepcast

In this episode, we are going to look at two advanced but essential topics in cybersecurity: gap analysis and Zero Trust architecture. Both are powerful strategies that organizations use to improve security, close vulnerabilities, and ensure that users and systems are operating within a safe and well-defined framework.
Let’s begin with gap analysis. A gap analysis is a method for identifying weaknesses in an organization’s current security setup by comparing what exists today with what should exist based on best practices, policies, or compliance requirements. In simple terms, it helps organizations answer the question, “Where are we falling short?”
The purpose of a gap analysis is to expose those shortcomings before they lead to incidents. It can highlight missing security controls, outdated policies, poor training, or unsupported software. Once the gaps are identified, they can be prioritized and addressed through updates, new tools, or changes in process. Without gap analysis, organizations might continue to operate with blind spots, making them more vulnerable to threats.
The methodology behind gap analysis begins with a current state assessment. This step examines how systems, controls, and policies are actually functioning at the present moment. This is followed by defining the desired state, which may be based on an industry standard like the National Institute of Standards and Technology cybersecurity framework, internal policies, or regulatory requirements such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Once the current and desired states are documented, the gaps between them are identified and analyzed. These gaps may be technical, like the lack of encryption on sensitive files, or procedural, like the absence of an incident response plan. A well-executed gap analysis also ranks these issues based on risk, allowing leadership to focus resources where they matter most.
One practical example involves a mid-sized business preparing for a third-party security audit. Through gap analysis, the team discovered that while employee training was required, there was no documentation to prove participation. They also found that their password policy did not meet current industry standards. By addressing these issues before the audit, they passed successfully and reduced their risk of future security incidents. This is a simple illustration of how gap analysis can lead to concrete improvements.
Now let’s turn to Zero Trust architecture. This approach has become a major shift in how organizations think about cybersecurity. The core idea behind Zero Trust is simple: never trust, always verify. Instead of assuming that users or systems inside the network are safe, Zero Trust requires continuous validation of every request—no matter where it comes from.
One of the key benefits of Zero Trust is that it helps reduce the risk of insider threats, lateral movement, and account compromise. Traditional network models often assume that if someone is inside the firewall, they can be trusted. Zero Trust turns that model upside down by treating every access request as potentially malicious until proven otherwise.
Zero Trust architecture is built on two main components: the control plane and the data plane. The control plane is where identity, policy, and decision-making functions are located. A major concept here is adaptive identity management. This means that user access is not only based on credentials, but also on context—such as device health, user behavior, and location. If something looks suspicious, access can be limited or denied in real time.
Another important idea in the control plane is threat scope reduction. This refers to minimizing the number of people, devices, and systems that have access to sensitive resources. The fewer entities that can interact with important data, the lower the risk. This is achieved through segmentation, least privilege principles, and strict access requirements.
Policy-driven access controls are also part of the control plane. These controls enforce rules that determine who can access what and under which conditions. Policies might include statements like “allow access only from approved devices during business hours.” These policies are enforced consistently and automatically through technology.
In a Zero Trust environment, two important roles help make decisions and enforce policies. The policy administrator is responsible for setting and maintaining access rules. This role ensures that policies are based on risk levels, compliance needs, and organizational goals. The policy engine evaluates each access request based on those policies. If the request meets the conditions, it is approved. If not, it is denied or flagged for review.
Now let’s move to the data plane. This is where actual access to resources happens. One principle of Zero Trust in the data plane is the elimination of implicit trust zones. In traditional networks, certain zones—like internal subnets—are often considered safe by default. In Zero Trust, no such assumptions exist. Every access request must be verified, even if the user is already inside the network perimeter.
Another aspect of the data plane is subject and system management. This involves tracking the behavior and characteristics of both users and devices. If a user logs in from an unusual location or a system behaves oddly, that behavior might trigger additional verification or temporary restrictions. By actively monitoring both subjects and systems, organizations can respond more quickly to potential threats.
The policy enforcement point is the final part of the Zero Trust data plane. This is the technical system that actually allows or blocks access based on decisions from the policy engine. It could be a firewall, a cloud gateway, or even an application layer filter. What matters is that the enforcement point follows rules automatically and consistently, without relying on manual judgment in the moment.
For the Security Plus exam, expect questions that ask you to apply both gap analysis and Zero Trust concepts. You should be able to define a gap analysis, describe how it works, and recognize how it helps organizations improve security. You should also be comfortable with Zero Trust principles and the structure of its control and data planes. Focus on terms like policy engine, implicit trust, and adaptive identity management. And remember: Zero Trust is not a single product—it is a framework built on continuous verification and strict access enforcement.