Dynamic Trust Evaluation Models for Enforcing Zero Trust Security in Software-Defined Networks

Abstract

The rapid adoption of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) in modern cloud and enterprise environments has introduced unprecedented flexibility, programmability, and scalability in network management. However, the centralized control and abstraction layers inherent to SDN architectures expose them to sophisticated security threats that cannot be effectively mitigated through traditional perimeter-based models. Zero Trust Security (ZTS) has emerged as a foundational paradigm shift, emphasizing continuous verification, least-privilege access, and adaptive trust mechanisms. This paper investigates dynamic trust evaluation models as a cornerstone for enforcing Zero Trust principles within SDN ecosystems. By integrating behavioral analytics, context-aware risk scoring, and real-time policy enforcement, dynamic trust evaluation enables fine-grained control and proactive threat mitigation. The discussion explores trust assessment algorithms, integration challenges with SDN controllers, and the orchestration of security policies across distributed infrastructures. Furthermore, the paper highlights open research challenges such as scalability, adversarial resilience, and interoperability in multi-tenant environments, providing a roadmap for advancing trust-centric SDN security in the Zero Trust era.