It’s with a mix of excitement and a little healthy trepidation that we’re unveiling G2’s brand-new Zero Trust Platforms category. Why the trepidation? Well, let’s just say launching a category in one of the most dynamic, fast-paced areas of cybersecurity comes with its own set of challenges. Zero Trust isn’t just a buzzword anymore—it’s become a global imperative. And while security vendors are sprinting to get on board, we at G2 have been meticulously building a framework to help businesses make sense of it all.
The Market Need for a Zero Trust Platforms Category
The launch of G2's Zero Trust Platforms category comes at a pivotal moment in cybersecurity history. Zero Trust has evolved from a niche strategy into a global strategic initiative, driven by the escalating frequency of sophisticated cyberattacks and the rapidly expanding digital attack surface. With remote work and cloud-based operations becoming the norm, traditional security models that relied on network perimeters are no longer sufficient. Zero Trust, which focuses on verifying every request as though it originates from an open network, is now a must-have approach for organizations striving to protect their assets.
This shift isn't just an incremental change; it's a fundamental transformation. Market projections suggest that Zero Trust could eclipse general security in market cap by 2030, underscoring its importance as more than just a trend. It represents a paradigm shift that is redefining how enterprises approach security, and it's being embraced on a global scale. Governments are leading the charge with mandates and initiatives, such as the U.S. Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity and the European Union's cybersecurity regulations, which explicitly call for the adoption of Zero Trust principles.
Why G2’s Approach Matters
While the market is filled with claims about what constitutes a Zero Trust solution, G2's methodology sets it apart. Instead of relying solely on analyst-driven research and vendor marketing, G2 emphasizes real-world feedback from the end users themselves. This user-centric approach helps cut through the noise, providing insights grounded in the actual experiences of those who are implementing and managing Zero Trust technologies.
By leveraging millions of verified user reviews, G2's Zero Trust Platforms category reflects the authentic voice of the market. This feedback-driven model reveals not just which platforms perform well in theory, but which solutions are truly delivering value in practice. It captures the lived experiences of cybersecurity professionals who are navigating the challenges of deploying Zero Trust strategies, offering a more comprehensive view than traditional research alone.
G2’s new category is not just an assessment of products; it’s a validation of Zero Trust as a strategic necessity. As the world moves towards a future where Zero Trust principles guide every aspect of security, having a platform that showcases the successes and pitfalls of real-world implementations helps solidify this approach as the standard for securing modern enterprises. The introduction of the Zero Trust Platforms category is G2's contribution to clarifying the landscape, empowering organizations to make informed decisions, and fostering a more secure digital world.
Months of Research, Data, and Reviews: Laying the Groundwork
When we say this category has been months in the making, we mean it. Behind the scenes, our research teams have been poring over millions of user reviews, studying real-world implementation data, and wrangling with the fact that Zero Trust, as a concept, is a bit of a “moving target.” Security is an ever-evolving beast, and Zero Trust, by its very nature, challenges traditional notions of how organizations should protect their digital assets.
But after many cups of coffee and intense conversations with users and experts alike, we’ve drawn what we think is a pretty solid line in the sand. The Zero Trust Platforms category on G2 is our first attempt to capture what it means to adopt and implement Zero Trust effectively today.
We’ve established criteria that reflect the core tenets of Zero Trust: identity verification, network segmentation, least privilege access, and continuous risk assessment. These are the principles that we believe every product in this space should uphold. No, it’s not perfect—and we’re fully aware that this category, like Zero Trust itself, will evolve. But for now, we believe it provides a strong foundation for businesses looking to adopt the Zero Trust mindset.
A Global Movement Towards Zero Trust
The rapid growth of Zero Trust as a global market endeavor has been nothing short of extraordinary. Once considered a “nice-to-have” or an option for only the most security-conscious organizations, Zero Trust has quickly risen to the forefront of global security strategies. Driven by the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks, coupled with the expanded attack surface caused by remote work, Zero Trust is no longer optional—it’s essential.
According to industry reports, the global Zero Trust market is expected to grow to nearly $60 billion by 2027. Governments around the world are getting on board, with initiatives like the U.S. Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity and the European Union’s cybersecurity directives pushing Zero Trust into the spotlight. This isn’t just a trend; it’s a transformation in how we think about securing the enterprise. The demand for solutions that can implement Zero Trust principles at scale is driving innovation, investment, and—importantly—confusion. That’s where we come in.
Zero Trust in Practice: What Makes the Cut?
As we created this category, we wanted to make sure it was grounded in real-world use cases and the practical needs of businesses, not just security theory. Our analysis of Zero Trust platforms is based on millions of reviews and data points from organizations across industries. We didn’t just look at what vendors were saying—they all claim to be the best—we looked at what users were saying. We paid attention to the experiences of the people who are in the trenches every day, deploying, managing, and securing their systems using Zero Trust principles.
So what exactly makes a product worthy of inclusion in this category? The answer lies in its ability to deliver on core Zero Trust promises, including:
- Identity Verification: Ensuring that the right people (and only the right people) have access to critical systems.
- Network Segmentation: Reducing the attack surface by limiting access and isolating resources.
- Least Privilege Access: Granting users only the permissions they need, no more.
- Continuous Risk Assessment: Monitoring and evaluating risk in real time to adjust access and controls as needed.
We’ve categorized and scored platforms that meet these criteria to help businesses navigate the increasingly crowded Zero Trust landscape. You can see how these products compare, which ones are resonating with users, and where they fall short—all backed by verified reviews and real-world data.
A First Step, Not the Final Word
Of course, this is just the beginning. In the world of cybersecurity, no model survives its first encounter with reality. We fully expect the Zero Trust Platforms category to evolve as the market evolves, as vendors innovate, and as the threat landscape shifts. This is version 1.0, and we’re committed to making sure it stays relevant as Zero Trust itself matures.
Our goal is simple: to give organizations a trusted resource to make informed decisions as they embark on their Zero Trust journey. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your Zero Trust strategy, we’re here to help guide the way—with a little humor, a lot of data, and a commitment to getting it right (eventually!).
So, welcome to the future of security. Check out the Zero Trust Platforms category on G2, and let’s navigate this exciting, ever-evolving space together.
by Chris Voce