Abstract: Systems and methods for a zero trust architecture are provided. A method, according to one implementation, includes detecting an initial attempt by an entity to connect, access, or communicate with a network resource and blocking the entity from initially connecting, accessing, or communicating with the network resource. The method also includes performing a verification procedure to verify one or more of an identity of the entity and a context of the initial attempt. The method also performs a control procedure to control one or more of malicious content and sensitive data. In addition, the method includes performing an enforcement procedure in response to results of the verification procedure and control procedure to determine how to handle the initial attempt.