Introduction For decades, cybersecurity in government has been defined by a familiar cycle: secure the perimeter, block the intruders, respond to the audits. That model no longer works. As adversaries grow more sophisticated and resources remain tight, the federal community needs a new mindset. Prevention still matters, but resilience must come first. That shift from preventing every attack to assuming breach and planning for recovery is the essence of Zero Trust. It’s also the perspective I bring to my role at ColorTokens after more than 20 years in federal service, including time as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at the Department of the Interior (DOI). Zero Trust as a Philosophy, Not a Checklist...