Zero Trust AI: The Path to True Cybersecurity Innovation

NetFoundry | Zero Trust AI: The Path to True Cybersecurity Innovation

We stand at a pivotal moment in cybersecurity, where the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) can either become a missed opportunity or the catalyst for solving some of our most pressing security challenges. Combining the concepts of Zero Trust and AI represents the future of secure networking.

AI today is primarily applied in bolt-on cybersecurity products  focusing on detecting threats, analyzing behavior, discovering breaches and automating responses, like prioritizing the patching of software with vulnerabilities. However, AI is not being used enough to create more secure solutions and proactively prevent hacks and breaches from occurring in the first place. By embedding AI directly into connectivity, we can move beyond reactive measures and create a more secure environment where threats are stopped before they even become possible.

At NetFoundry, we’ve embraced this vision of application-based security, evolving our platform to meet the needs of the next generation of secure applications that intrinsically leverage AI.

The AI Fork in the Road

In our CEO’s recent Linkedin article, The AI Fork in the Road, he discussed the crossroads we’re facing in cybersecurity. We can either continue adding more security products to already insecure networks, or we can take the path of embedding secure products with AI-driven, zero trust connectivity. The latter is where we need to focus. As Jen Easterly, head of CISA, wisely pointed out:

 “We don’t need more security products—we need more secure products.”

Traditional enterprise networks, with their network access-based security models, are inherently flawed. Nearly 99% of cyberattacks exploit network vulnerabilities, not physical breaches. To build secure products, we need a different approach: embedding secure, software-defined networks directly into products. By doing this, we eliminate the dependency on underlay networks and create a self-contained, secure system.

This shift allows AI to operate at its fullest potential. When secure products are software-only and programmable, AI can dynamically manage identity, authentication, authorization, policy enforcement, and real-time monitoring—things that traditional networks, bound by hardware and outdated models, simply can’t achieve.

The NetFoundry Approach: AppNets and Zero Trust AI

When we founded NetFoundry in 2017, our mission was to shift the security paradigm from network-centric to application-centric. We recognized that network access-based models—relying on VPNs and firewalls—were no longer sufficient. Instead, we envisioned a future where secure networking is embedded directly into applications as code. This led to the creation of AppNets, our software-defined, identity-based microsegmented networks designed to provide zero trust connectivity without depending on traditional network infrastructure.

AppNets are the foundation for achieving zero trust AI. They are self-contained and secure by design, providing a programmable interface that AI can leverage for dynamic decision-making, threat response, and real-time policy updates. This kind of flexibility and security integration is impossible with legacy systems.

Zero Trust AI combines these principles of zero trust security with the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) to create a more dynamic, proactive, and secure approach to protecting applications, data, and systems.

Why AI Thrives in a Zero Trust Environment

Imagine wearing a custom-tailored, protective suit—designed to shield you from every potential threat, adjusting in real-time to keep you safe. That’s what adding AI to secure products like our AppNets achieves, creating a personalized, adaptive environment where AI can enhance security through proactive responses and real-time insights.

In contrast, placing AI within traditional enterprise networks is like relying on a one-size-fits-all jacket with holes—leaving you exposed and vulnerable. The limitations of network access-based security prevent AI from offering the precise, dynamic protection needed. Without a flexible, software-based architecture, AI cannot effectively respond to threats, adapt policies, or provide meaningful, individualized security.

Embedding Zero Trust AI: A Positive Security Model

The positive security model, which rejects everything except what is explicitly authorized, has always been the ideal. However, the dynamic nature of modern applications and distributed environments has made this challenging to implement—until now. With AI-powered, secure-by-design products, it’s not only possible but practical. AI allows us to keep up with the pace of dynamic environments, ensuring that only authorized actions occur without compromising speed or functionality.

From Network Security to Application Security: The NetFoundry Story

Our journey at NetFoundry reflects this shift from network security to application security. Traditional network access-based security models fail in an interconnected world where IoT devices, cloud services, and mobile technology blur the lines between “inside” and “outside” networks. Recognizing this, we set out to embed security directly into software applications, removing the reliance on customer networks and the risks associated with external security products. 

The key enabler of this new application access-based security model is a new software category— embeddable zero trust connectivity. Our platform enables product providers to deploy secure solutions in any environment, regardless of the underlying infrastructure. This is crucial in today’s landscape, where modern applications need to operate securely across distributed and diverse environments, from manufacturing floors to critical infrastructure.

Why Zero Trust AI Is the Future of Cybersecurity

Zero trust AI is not just a buzzword; it’s the future of cybersecurity. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, traditional network defenses become less effective. AI offers a proactive solution, but only when paired with a secure, programmable environment like NetFoundry’s AppNets. This combination enables organizations to secure their applications and devices while also leveraging the full potential of AI for real-time monitoring, threat detection, and policy management.

By embedding zero trust directly into products, companies can ensure that their solutions are inherently secure. This aligns perfectly with our mission at NetFoundry—to help businesses build products that are secure by design, eliminating reliance on customer networks and reducing vulnerability.

The Call to Action: More Secure Products, Not More Security Products

In line with CISA’s vision, we believe that the path forward involves creating secure products, not more security products. Zero trust AI is a transformative approach that allows businesses to move away from the flawed, negative security model and embrace a positive security model that adapts in real time. This shift is crucial to overcoming the cybersecurity challenges of today and tomorrow.

If you’re interested in how zero trust AI can transform your approach to security, I encourage you to explore our white papers and solutions. At NetFoundry, we are committed to helping businesses embed security into their applications, ensuring that they are protected by design, not by additional layers of security products.

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