BLOCKCHAIN-INTEGRATED ZERO-TRUST ARCHITECTURE FOR ENTERPRISE CYBERSECURITY

Abstract

Enterprises increasingly face sophisticated cyber threats that exploit implicit trust relationships within traditional network security models. Zero-Trust Architecture (ZTA) eliminates the assumption of trust by enforcing continuous verification, but its adoption is challenged by the need for tamper-proof identity management and decentralized policy enforcement. This paper proposes a BlockchainIntegrated Zero-Trust Architecture that enhances cybersecurity through immutable identity validation, distributed access control, and transparent audit trails. The integration of blockchain strengthens device-to-device trust, reduces insider threat vectors, and prevents unauthorized lateral movement across enterprise networks. Experimental evaluation demonstrates improved resilience against credential compromise, reduced policy-verification latency, and enhanced traceability. The proposed hybrid framework offers a scalable and secure foundation for modern enterprise cybersecurity ecosystems.