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# What is Zero-Trust, and Where Did It Come From?
[Cambium Data Blog](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/categories/blog) [Security](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/categories/security)
[Tony Underwood](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/blogger/tony-underwood)
Friday, 06 December 2024
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Zero-trust is a data protection method that's becoming very popular in the tech world. It’s one of the best ways to keep your business safe from hackers. Let’s discuss how zero-trust started and why it’s important today.
## The Origin of Zero-Trust: John Kindervag
John Kindervag, a former broadcast engineer and computer animation specialist, is the person behind zero-trust. He became interested in networking because of the video game *Doom*. Yes, you read that right—*Doom* actually contributed to creating the best security strategy we have today.
While working, Kindervag set up ethernet networks in his office. These networks weren’t just for work, though. They were also used for after-hours *Doom* gaming sessions. At the time, these networks weren’t very secure. The only protection was a firewall, which kept out outside threats. But it didn’t stop people from sharing data from the office network to the internet.
Kindervag thought this system was "insane" and wanted to create a way to ensure that no one was automatically trusted. That idea is now called zero-trust.
## What Is Zero-Trust?
Zero-trust is all about never automatically trusting anyone or anything, even inside your own network. Here are the five steps to setting up a zero-trust system:
### Figure Out What Needs Protecting
Focus on the most important stuff first. Ask yourself: What are the things I need to keep safe?
### Understand How Data Moves in Your System
You need to know who uses your system, why they use it, and how data gets stored and shared.
### Create a Security Plan
Make a plan based on your business’ needs. It should be unique to your situation.
### Set Rules for Access
Decide who can access what, when, where, and why. These rules should apply to everyone—every user, device, and network.
### Keep an Eye on Things
Keep monitoring your network for problems. Fix any issues before they become serious.
### Why Zero-Trust Matters
Kindervag has a good point: cyberthreats can hit anyone. Whether you’re a small business or a huge company doesn't matter. In today's online world, everyone is at risk.
For example, a type of ransomware targeted a dairy farmer in the Swiss Alps. It locked up his milking machines! Even if he could milk the cows by hand, he wouldn’t have access to the data that keeps the cows healthy. A zero-trust system can help you avoid these kinds of losses.
## Take Action
Don’t let the fear of hackers stop you from improving your security. Use it as motivation to strengthen your system. If you want to learn more, call us at (402) 514-3200.
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[Security](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/tags/security) [Best Practices](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/tags/best-practices) [Innovation](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/tags/innovation)
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[ One Way to Boost Your Data Security: User Permissi... ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/one-way-to-boost-your-data-security-user-permissions)
About the author
[  ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/blogger/tony-underwood)
[Tony Underwood](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/blogger/tony-underwood)
[ ](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/blogger/tony-underwood)
Tony Underwood, Founder and President of Cambium Data Inc. has proven himself as one of the top internetworking experts in the industry. Mr. Underwood began his IT career in 1991 in the US Navy working on critical military computer systems. He grew his computer and networking knowledge through a number of different IT jobs from desktop support all the way up to leading the Network Engineering organization of a multi-billion dollar international company. Mr Underwood was recognized as Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert [\#7112](https://connect.directive.com/v4_6_release/services/system_io/Service/fv_sr100_request.rails?service_recid=7112&companyName=Dti) in March of 2001 and in 2022 he achieved the lifetime status of Cisco CCIE Emeritus
Author's recent posts
[More posts from author](https://cambiumdata.directivesites.com/blog/blogger/tony-underwood)
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Thursday, 03 September 2026
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