Zero-Trust Digital Government Platforms: Secure Identity, API Governance, and Cloud- Native Service Architecture
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15662/0g97yb32Keywords:
Zero-Trust Architecture, Digital Government, Cybersecurity, Identity and Access Management (IAM), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), API Governance, Cloud-Native Architecture, Microservices, Service Mesh, DevSecOps, Data Privacy, Secure APIs, Least Privilege Access, Continuous Authentication, Government Cloud, Distributed SystemsAbstract
The rapid digitization of public services has transformed how governments interact with citizens, businesses, and internal stakeholders. However, this transformation has also expanded the attack surface, exposing critical infrastructure to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer sufficient in a distributed, cloud-driven ecosystem. In response, the Zero-Trust security paradigm has emerged as a foundational approach for securing modern digital government platforms.
This article presents a comprehensive overview of Zero-Trust Digital Government Platforms, focusing on three core pillars: secure identity management, API governance, and cloud-native service architecture. It explores how identity- centric security models leveraging strong authentication, continuous verification, and least-privilege access enable governments to protect sensitive data and services. The paper further examines the role of API governance in ensuring secure, scalable, and compliant data exchange across interconnected systems. Additionally, it highlights the importance of cloud-native architectures, including microservices, containerization, and service meshes, in building resilient and agile public sector platforms.
Through an integrated approach, this article outlines architectural patterns, best practices, and implementation strategies for deploying Zero-Trust frameworks in government ecosystems. It also discusses challenges such as legacy system integration, regulatory compliance, and operational complexity. The goal is to provide a generalized, vendor-neutral foundation for designing secure, scalable, and future-ready digital government infrastructures.
References
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