DHS Zero Trust Capability Framework (ZTCF)
SmartSuite provides the system for managing controls, evidence, mappings, assessments, and reporting. Framework text may require a separate license unless explicitly provided.
Overview
The DHS ZeroTrust Capability Framework (ZTCF) is a cybersecurity framework thatguides organizations in adopting zero trust principles to strengthensecurity posture and manage evolving cyber risks. It provides astructured approach to eliminating implicit trust in networks,focusing on continuous authentication, authorization, and robustaccess controls across digital environments.
Published by theU.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the ZTCF is used byfederal agencies and organizations supporting critical infrastructureto assess, implement, and mature zero trust architectures. Theframework addresses key areas such as access management, identityverification, network segmentation, data protection, and monitoring,aligning with governmental cybersecurity mandates and national riskmanagement strategies.
Organizationsoperationalize the ZTCF by incorporating its capabilities intosecurity control design, risk management processes, and complianceoversight activities. The framework can be integrated withestablished standards like NIST SP 800-207 and supports auditreadiness, incident response planning, and the continuous improvementof cybersecurity programs.
Why it Matters
The DHS ZeroTrust Capability Framework enables organizations to systematicallyaddress modern cyber threats by establishing robust, adaptivesecurity practices.
Key benefitsinclude:
• Strengthen cybersecurity governance
Supportleadership in making informed risk management decisions andallocating resources to safeguard critical systems and data.
• Enhance regulatory alignment
Facilitatealignment with federal cybersecurity mandates and streamline effortsto maintain compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.
• Improve access controls
Reduceunauthorized access risk through continuous authentication andauthorization, ensuring users and devices are consistently verified.
• Promote operational resilience
Improve theorganization's ability to withstand and recover from cyber incidentsby applying comprehensive segmentation and monitoring strategies.
• Increase audit readiness
Provide cleardocumentation and repeatable processes that improve transparency andpreparedness for security assessments and audits.
How it Works
The DHS ZeroTrust Capability Framework (ZTCF) establishes a structured approachto cybersecurity by organizing requirements into a set of capabilityareas aligned with the zero trust architecture model. The frameworkoutlines governance domains such as identity, device, network,application, data, and visibility/analytics, each mapped to keysecurity controls and implementation safeguards. This structurefacilitates a comprehensive assessment of an organization’ssecurity posture against zero trust principles by defining corecapabilities and maturity levels.
Organizationsapply the ZTCF by conducting gap assessments, mapping the framework’scapabilities to internal policies, and deploying security controlsthat address identified risks. This practical implementation includescontinuous monitoring, updating access controls, and integrating theframework with existing NIST Special Publications and regulatoryrequirements to ensure ongoing compliance. Regular reviews anditerative improvements help organizations maintain alignment withevolving threats and zero trust best practices.
With SmartSuite,organizations operationalize the DHS ZTCF through capabilities likecentralized control libraries, risk registers for tracking key risksto zero trust objectives, and policy management modules. The platformenables evidence collection, compliance tracking across capabilityareas, and workflow automation for remediation tasks. Reportingdashboards in SmartSuite facilitate audit readiness and continuousmonitoring, supporting governance and regulatory compliance.
Key Elements
• Identity and Access Management Domains
Specifiesauthentication, authorization, and user verification requirements forinternal and external users.
• Least Privilege and Segmentation Controls
Outlinesmechanisms for restricting access to resources and segmentingnetworks based on risk and trust levels.
• Data Protection Capabilities
Defines measuresand technologies for safeguarding sensitive data at rest, in use, andin transit.
• Continuous Monitoring and Analytics
Describesrequirements for real-time security visibility, behavior analysis,and incident detection across environments.
• Policy Enforcement Architecture
Establishesprotocols for enforcing policy decisions consistently across users,devices, applications, and services.
• Governance and Compliance Integration
Organizesoversight, audit, and reporting functions to ensure alignment withregulatory and agency mandates.
Framework Scope
The DHS ZeroTrust Capability Framework (ZTCF) is adopted by federal agencies andentities supporting critical infrastructure to guide the deploymentof zero trust security measures. It regulates access controls,identity management, network segmentation, and monitoring across ITand operational environments, and is typically implemented whenaligning with government cybersecurity directives and supportingassurance programs.
Framework Objectives
The DHS ZeroTrust Capability Framework (ZTCF) provides a comprehensive approachto enhancing cybersecurity resilience and supporting robust riskmanagement strategies.
• Strengthen cybersecurity governance to address evolving threatsand regulatory requirements
• Enhance risk management by eliminating implicit trust andenforcing security controls
• Safeguard sensitive data through continuous authentication androbust access management
• Improve compliance oversight by aligning with governmentalmandates and standards
• Promote operational resilience with proactive monitoring andrapid incident detection
• Support audit readiness by documenting controls and enablingcontinuous program improvement The DHS Zero Trust CapabilityFramework (ZTCF) is aligned with standards such as the CISA ZeroTrust Maturity Model, NIST SP 800-207, and NIST CybersecurityFramework (CSF). Organizations typically implement ZTCF to advancezero trust adoption, support federal security mandates, and enhanceoperational resilience in complex, hybrid cloud and multi-agencyenvironments.
Common Framework Mappings
The DHS ZeroTrust Capability Framework is frequently mapped to other establishedcybersecurity and compliance frameworks to ensure comprehensivesecurity postures and facilitate regulatory alignment across diverseenvironments.
Mappedframeworks include:
CISA Zero TrustMaturity Model
CIS CriticalSecurity Controls
FedRAMP
ISO/IEC 27001
MITRE ATT&CK
NISTCybersecurity Framework
NIST SP 800-207
NIST SP 800-53
- ClassicifationCategoryCybersecurityDomainCybersecurityFramework FamilyNIST Special Publications
- Regulatory ContextTypeFrameworkSectorGovernment SectorIndustryGovernment & Public Sector
- Region / PublisherRegionNorth AmericaRegion DetailUnited StatesPublisherCybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
- VersioningVersionCurrent DHS Zero Trust Capability FrameworkEffective DateJanuary 29, 2025Issue DateJanuary 29, 2025
- AdoptionAdoption ModelRegulatory ComplianceImplementation ComplexityHigh
- Official ReferenceOpen Link in New TabSource
License included / downloadable: Yes
The DHS Zero Trust Capability Framework is publicly available through U.S. DHS and CISA resources.
How SmartSuite Supports US DHS ZTCF
Centralize controls, evidence, and audit workflows to stay continuously SOC 2–ready.
Zero Trust Program Structure
Organize goals, scope, and roles for a consistent zero trust implementation program.
Identity and MFA Rollout Tracking
Manage MFA and access control initiatives with evidence and coverage reporting.
Device Posture and Endpoint Governance
Track device compliance requirements, exceptions, and verification evidence.
Network and Application Access Controls
Document segmentation and conditional access policies with proof of enforcement.
Visibility, Monitoring, and Response Workflows
Centralize telemetry evidence and incident response processes tied to zero trust goals.
Executive Reporting Dashboards
Report program status, gaps, and readiness across capability areas.
Related frameworks
CIS Controls v8.1 provides prioritized, practical security actions to help organizations mitigate common cyber threats and strengthen defenses.
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is an international ISMS standard that helps organizations manage information security risks and protect data.
ISO/IEC 27002:2022 provides best-practice information security controls to help organizations select, implement, and manage protections for information assets.
MITRE ATT&CK is a knowledge framework documenting adversary tactics and techniques to help organizations detect, analyze, and respond to attacks.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) v2.0 is a risk-based framework that helps organizations manage and reduce cybersecurity risks.
NIST SP 800-171 defines security requirements for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in nonfederal systems and organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions For DHS Zero Trust Capability Framework (ZTCF)
The ZTCF guides organizations in adopting zero trust principles to improve cyber defense and reduce implicit trust across IT environments. It provides a comprehensive structure for enhancing access controls, identity verification, and continuous monitoring to manage modern cyber risks and comply with federal cybersecurity mandates.
The ZTCF is not a certifiable standard, but it is recommended and often required for federal agencies and organizations supporting critical infrastructure per U.S. government cybersecurity policy. Adherence demonstrates alignment with executive orders and federal requirements but does not result in a formal certification.
ZTCF primarily applies to U.S. federal agencies and organizations operating or supporting critical infrastructure sectors. However, any organization seeking to strengthen their security posture through zero trust principles can adopt its guidelines.
Key concepts in ZTCF include identity verification, least-privilege access, microsegmentation, device security, data protection, and continuous authentication and monitoring. Artifacts include capability mappings, risk assessments, maturity models, and control libraries aligned with governance and compliance requirements.
Organizations implement ZTCF by assessing their current architecture, mapping existing controls to ZTCF capability areas, conducting gap analyses, and identifying risk mitigation priorities. Implementation involves lifecycle processes for policy alignment, strong authentication, data protection, and continuous improvement through iterative maturity assessments.
ZTCF aligns closely with zero trust principles outlined in frameworks such as NIST SP 800-207, providing a structured approach tailored for federal and critical infrastructure contexts. Organizations can leverage existing controls and practices from related standards to meet ZTCF requirements and ensure harmonized compliance reporting.
Maintaining ZTCF alignment requires regular risk assessments, control reviews, ongoing monitoring, updating access policies, and responding to incidents. Continuous improvement and maturity model benchmarking are essential for demonstrating compliance and strengthening cybersecurity posture over time.
SmartSuite facilitates ZTCF management through centralized risk tracking, control library management, evidence collection, and support for audit readiness. The platform automates remediation workflows, aggregates compliance evidence, and provides dashboards for monitoring posture, visualizing progress, and aligning with ZTCF maturity and reporting requirements.
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