Disconnected, Contested, and Secure: Zero Trust for the Tactical Edge

Disconnected, Contested, and Secure: Zero Trust for the Tactical Edge

In episode thirteen of Zero Trusts Given, Tom Tittermary sits down with Dr. Mark Taylor, Chief Innovation Officer at Sage Creek USA and former CTO of U.S. Special Operations Command, for a deep dive into what Zero Trust really means for the Department of Defense. The conversation unpacks the evolution from network centric security models to data centric Zero Trust architectures, with a particular focus on mission partner access, cross domain solutions, and data tagging and policy enforcement. Dr. Taylor shares hard won insights on why traditional network boundaries and CDSs often undermine true Zero Trust, and how identity, ICAM, and policy based access controls are critical to enabling secure information sharing across classifications and nations. The episode also explores the stark contrast between enterprise and tactical environments—where disconnected, contested operations demand resilient, local decision making—and why commanders at the edge must retain authority to adapt security policies in real time. The result is a candid, practitioner level discussion on moving DoD Zero Trust from theory to mission impact, at the speed of need.

"Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together," Zscaler & Vectra AI in the DoD

Episode twelve of the podcast, "Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together," Zscaler & Vectra AI in the DoD, features Robert Marcoux, Federal Principal Technologist at Vectra AI, for a discussion on why traditional perimeter-based security no longer works in a world dominated by remote users, cloud services, and SaaS, and how Zero Trust has become essential. They explore how AI-driven signal analysis cuts through data noise, helping resource strained security teams detect threats faster and more accurately. The conversation also showcases how Vectra AI’s integration with Zscaler accelerates identity-centric detection and response, reducing MTTR by linking anomalous behavior directly to specific users and increasing visibility into attacks. Finally, the discussion emphasizes practical Zero Trust enforcement through a human in the loop model, combining AI-powered context with analyst oversight to maintain resilience across federal, defense, and critical infrastructure environments.

Identity as the Core of Zero Trust

Episode ten of the podcast, Identity as the Core of Zero Trust, features Dan Miller from Ping Identity, emphasizing that verifying digital identity and assessing user attributes in real time is critical before granting access to any DoD resource. He discusses the importance of using detailed attributes like location, device, and role instead of relying on simple logins to make smarter, real-time access decisions, which is crucial for secure operations in classified and remote environments. Since many DoD units work in disconnected settings, Ping Identity provides local identity solutions that keep missions running and sync with the cloud when reconnected. This episode explores how, in joint missions, enforcing secure data sharing through identity-driven access and tagging paves the way for granular Zero Trust.

These Guys Literally Wrote the Book

Episode nine of the podcast, These Guys Literally Wrote the Book, features Rob Freter and Joe Brinker from True Zero Technologies, delving into the evolving implementation of Zero Trust principles across the Department of Defense, the Defense Industrial Base, and the broader federal government. They discuss the importance of starting with a clear problem statement and solution, emphasizing the cultural and practical need for a structured approach to security, including policy enforcement points (PEPs). Drawing analogies to cinematic sequels like The Godfather Part II, the episode explores how Zero Trust architectures have evolved to be even better with their second iterations, offering cleaner lines and easier readability.

Thinking Tactically

In this episode of Zero Trusts Given, hosts Tom Tittermary and Tom Gianelos are joined by Jared Shepard, CEO of Hypori, to discuss redefining device security and enabling Zero Trust in edge environments. Jared introduces Hypori’s virtual mobile operating system, which eliminates data at rest and transit on edge devices by streaming encrypted pixels securely, allowing users to work from compromised or personal devices without risk to enterprise systems. This approach enables agility in BYOD, tactical missions, and mission partner environments, simplifying access while maintaining strong security posture. Jared also discusses the importance of a defense-in-depth approach, avoiding reliance on single vendors, and improving downstream supply chain security to protect critical infrastructures. The episode concludes with a heartfelt discussion about Jared’s nonprofit, Warrior’s Ethos, which supports veterans transitioning from military service by providing mentorship, resources, and job support. He encourages listeners to volunteer, hire veterans, and help ease their transition into civilian opportunities. This episode is perfect for tech enthusiasts, cybersecurity professionals, and anyone interested in understanding how Zero Trust is transforming the defense landscape. Tune in to gain valuable insights from leading experts on the forefront of innovation and cybersecurity policy in the DoD!