ZERO-TRUST ARCHITECTURE OF HOSPITAL NETWORKS: THE EXAMINATION OF THE ISSUES CONCERNING THE ACTUAL PRACTICE AND TRADE-OFFS OF PERFORMANCE

The paper explores the application of Zero-Trust Architecture (ZTA) to the hospital network to improve
cybersecurity by reducing unauthorized access. Given that healthcare is becoming a more lucrative target for
cyberattacks and the growth in the volume of sensitive data, traditional security models are becoming
insufficient. By not making implicit trust in users or systems within and outside the network, ZTA presents a
more robust solution. Nevertheless, ZTA is associated with greater security, but it is a complicated process
which demands considerable organizational, technological, and financial adaptations. This paper examines
practical implementation issues, including resource allocation, integration with legacy systems, and the effects
on operational performance. Using an integrated methodology that combines qualitative inquiry with
cybersecurity specialists and quantitative data analysis of hospital networks, this study offers an overall
assessment of the effectiveness of ZTA and its trade-offs in the natural hospital context. A summary of the paper
is provided at the end, which includes recommendations for hospitals considering applying ZTA, best practices,
possible risks, and performance measurements.