DHS Zero Trust Capability Framework (ZTCF)

Why it Matters

The DHS Zero Trust Capability Framework enables organizations to systematically address modern cyber threats by establishing adaptive security practices.

Key benefits include:

• Strengthen cybersecurity governance

Support leadership in making informed risk management decisions and allocating resources to safeguard critical systems and data.

• Enhance regulatory alignment

Facilitate alignment with federal cybersecurity mandates and simplify efforts to maintain compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.

• Improve access controls

Reduce unauthorized access risk through continuous authentication and authorization, ensuring users and devices are consistently verified.

• Promote operational resilience

Improve the organization's ability to withstand and recover from cyber incidents by applying segmentation and monitoring strategies.

• Increase audit readiness

Provide clear documentation and repeatable processes that improve transparency and preparedness for security assessments and audits.

How it Works

The DHS Zero Trust Capability Framework (ZTCF) establishes a structured approach to cybersecurity by organizing requirements into a set of capability areas aligned with the zero trust architecture model. The framework outlines governance domains such as identity, device, network, application, data, and visibility/analytics, each mapped to key security controls and implementation safeguards. This structure facilitates an assessment of an organization’s security posture against zero trust principles by defining core capabilities and maturity levels.

Organizations apply the ZTCF by conducting gap assessments, mapping the framework’s capabilities to internal policies, and deploying security controls that address identified risks. This practical implementation includes continuous monitoring, updating access controls, and integrating the framework with existing NIST Special Publications and regulatory requirements to ensure ongoing compliance. Regular reviews and iterative improvements help organizations maintain alignment with evolving threats and zero trust best practices.

With SmartSuite, organizations operationalize the DHS ZTCF through capabilities like centralized control libraries, risk registers for tracking key risks to zero trust objectives, and policy management modules. The platform enables evidence collection, compliance tracking across capability areas, and workflow automation for remediation tasks. Reporting dashboards in SmartSuite facilitate audit readiness and continuous monitoring, supporting governance and regulatory compliance.

Key Elements

• Identity and Access Management Domains

Specifies authentication, authorization, and user verification requirements for internal and external users.

• Least Privilege and Segmentation Controls

Outlines mechanisms for restricting access to resources and segmenting networks based on risk and trust levels.

• Data Protection Capabilities

Defines measures and technologies for safeguarding sensitive data at rest, in use, and in transit.

• Continuous Monitoring and Analytics

Describes requirements for real-time security visibility, behavior analysis, and incident detection across environments.

• Policy Enforcement Architecture

Establishes protocols for enforcing policy decisions consistently across users, devices, applications, and services.

• Governance and Compliance Integration

Organizes oversight, audit, and reporting functions to ensure alignment with regulatory and agency mandates.

Framework Scope

The DHS Zero Trust Capability Framework (ZTCF) is adopted by federal agencies and entities supporting critical infrastructure to guide the deployment of zero trust security measures. It regulates access controls, identity management, network segmentation, and monitoring across IT and operational environments, and is typically implemented when aligning with government cybersecurity directives and supporting assurance programs.

Framework Objectives

The DHS Zero Trust Capability Framework (ZTCF) provides a structured approach to enhancing cybersecurity resilience and supporting risk management strategies.

Strengthen cybersecurity governance to address evolving threats and regulatory requirements

Enhance risk management by eliminating implicit trust and enforcing security controls

Safeguard sensitive data through continuous authentication and access management

Improve compliance oversight by aligning with governmental mandates and standards

Promote operational resilience with proactive monitoring and rapid incident detection

Support audit readiness by documenting controls and enabling continuous program improvement The DHS Zero Trust Capability Framework (ZTCF) is aligned with standards such as the CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model, NIST SP 800-207, and NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF). Organizations typically implement ZTCF to advance zero trust adoption, support federal security mandates, and enhance operational resilience in complex, hybrid cloud and multi-agency environments.

Common Framework Mappings

The DHS Zero Trust Capability Framework is frequently mapped to other established cybersecurity and compliance frameworks to ensure security postures and facilitate regulatory alignment across diverse environments.

Mapped frameworks include:

CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model

CIS Critical Security Controls

FedRAMP

ISO/IEC 27001

MITRE ATT&CK

NIST Cybersecurity Framework

NIST SP 800-207

NIST SP 800-53

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