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Adopting Zero Trust Security Frameworks in Financial and Regulatory Environments: A Case Study Approach (2022)
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Financial Regulation
Abstract
The escalating complexity of cyber threats in financial and regulatory environments, coupled with stringent compliance requirements, has made traditional perimeter-based security models inadequate. Zero trust security frameworks, which assume no implicit trust and enforce continuous verification, offer a robust solution for safeguarding sensitive data and systems. This paper employs a case study approach to explore the adoption of zero trust security frameworks in financial and regulatory contexts, focusing on their implementation, effectiveness, and challenges. Through a mixed-method analysis of three case studies: a global bank, a fintech platform, and a regulatory authority the study draws on 100 peer-reviewed articles, industry reports, and primary data from 2015 to 2025. The proposed framework integrates identity verification, micro-segmentation, and real-time monitoring, achieving 90% threat detection accuracy and 30% reduced compliance violations in case organizations. Key findings reveal that zero trust enhances security posture and regulatory alignment but faces challenges like high implementation costs, legacy system integration, and cultural resistance. Opportunities include leveraging AI for adaptive authentication and blockchain for auditability. The study contributes to cybersecurity literature by providing a practical, context-specific framework for zero trust adoption, bridging theoretical and applied perspectives. For practitioners, it offers actionable strategies to implement zero trust in regulated sectors, while policymakers gain insights to standardize compliance requirements. By highlighting best practices and future research directions, such as quantum-resistant cryptography and SME-focused frameworks, this paper underscores the transformative potential of zero trust in fostering secure, compliant, and resilient financial and regulatory ecosystems.
Keywords
Zero Trust Security, Financial Regulation, Continuous Verification, Micro-Segmentation, Compliance Challenges, Adaptive Authentication
How to cite this paper
@article{1708748,
author = {Oluwatosin Ilori},
title = {Adopting Zero Trust Security Frameworks in Financial and Regulatory Environments: A Case Study Approach (2022)},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2022},
volume = {5},
number = {11},
pages = {357-367},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1708748.pdf},
abstract = {The escalating complexity of cyber threats in financial and regulatory environments, coupled with stringent compliance requirements, has made traditional perimeter-based security models inadequate. Zero trust security frameworks, which assume no implicit trust and enforce continuous verification, offer a robust solution for safeguarding sensitive data and systems. This paper employs a case study approach to explore the adoption of zero trust security frameworks in financial and regulatory contexts, focusing on their implementation, effectiveness, and challenges. Through a mixed-method analysis of three case studies: a global bank, a fintech platform, and a regulatory authority the study draws on 100 peer-reviewed articles, industry reports, and primary data from 2015 to 2025. The proposed framework integrates identity verification, micro-segmentation, and real-time monitoring, achieving 90% threat detection accuracy and 30% reduced compliance violations in case organizations. Key findings reveal that zero trust enhances security posture and regulatory alignment but faces challenges like high implementation costs, legacy system integration, and cultural resistance. Opportunities include leveraging AI for adaptive authentication and blockchain for auditability. The study contributes to cybersecurity literature by providing a practical, context-specific framework for zero trust adoption, bridging theoretical and applied perspectives. For practitioners, it offers actionable strategies to implement zero trust in regulated sectors, while policymakers gain insights to standardize compliance requirements. By highlighting best practices and future research directions, such as quantum-resistant cryptography and SME-focused frameworks, this paper underscores the transformative potential of zero trust in fostering secure, compliant, and resilient financial and regulatory ecosystems.},
keywords = {Zero Trust Security, Financial Regulation, Continuous Verification, Micro-Segmentation, Compliance Challenges, Adaptive Authentication},
month = {May},
}