Exploring Zero Trust for Operational Technology: A DoD Framework

Executive Summary

The new Zero Trust for Operational Technology framework released by the Department of War on November 18, 2025, mandates significant cybersecurity transformations for defense and industrial teams. Following the earlier DoD Zero Trust Strategy, this framework focuses on adapting Zero Trust principles to the unique demands of Operational Technology (OT) environments. It aims to secure mission-critical processes while ensuring stable communications and high availability, complementing existing cybersecurity controls. The framework guides organizations in safely and effectively implementing Zero Trust in their operational environments.

 Read the full article from Corsha here for comprehensive insights.

Key Insights

The Significant DoD Mandate

• Released on November 18, 2025, the Zero Trust for Operational Technology framework outlines new cybersecurity requirements for defense sectors.
• This set of guidelines builds upon the July 2025 directive emphasizing a Zero Trust approach for both IT and Operational Technology systems.

Understanding Operational Technology

• Operational Technology (OT) environments support critical physical processes, making them unique from traditional IT systems.
• These systems rely on consistent communication and must maintain high operational availability, which the Zero Trust framework acknowledges.

Adapting Zero Trust Principles

• The framework tailors Zero Trust strategies to fit the complexities of operational environments, impacting how cybersecurity is approached in defense industries.
• It emphasizes maintaining secure yet reliable access to OT systems essential for mission success.

Implementation and Compliance

• Organizations must integrate these new Zero Trust requirements with their existing cybersecurity controls for comprehensive security management.
• Proper implementation is crucial to safeguarding sensitive systems from evolving cyber threats while still enabling necessary functionality.

 Access the full expert analysis and actionable security insights from Corsha here.