Countdown to zero trust: How defense agencies can tackle the 2027 mandate

WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE’S SEPT. 30, 2027, zero trust deadline on the horizon, defense agencies have just two years to revolutionize their approach to cybersecurity. While this may seem like a significant runway, it’s important for agencies to begin thinking seriously about modernizing systems now, especially because implementing zero trust is about more than just updating an agency’s tech stack — it’s about fundamentally changing approaches to securing data, systems and operations across all environments.

So, what do defense organizations need to think about as they look to build the foundations of zero trust into their IT policies and infrastructures? In a recent event sponsored by Maximus, experts from across government and industry sat down with GovExec TV Executive Producer George Jackson to discuss the foundations for cybersecurity overhauls and ways defense agencies can begin gathering the essential elements they need for zero trust, as well as potential hurdles along the way.