Trust management (TM) underpins information security by addressing threats through governance, culture, and risk mitigation. This study applies the zero trust (ZT) paradigm, treating trust as a continuously verified structural asset. Examining cultural alignment, f inancial readiness, compliance, and operational change, it explores how enterprises embed trust in security strategies. Despite rising interest, enterprise-level ZT dimensions remain underexplored. Using principal–agent theory, qualitative interviews, entropy- based MCDM, and PLS-SEM survey analysis, the study finds cultural and financial factors most critical, supported by compliance and operations. It offers a conceptual framework and phased roadmap to strengthen TM, resilience, and regulatory alignment.
