Zero-Trust Data Architecture for Multi-Cloud Environments: A Governance-Centric Engineering Approach

This research presents a governance-centric engineering approach to implementing zero-trust data architecture across multi-cloud environments. It examines how organizations can strengthen data security, maintain regulatory compliance, and manage distributed data infrastructure without relying on traditional perimeter-based security models. The paper explores identity-centric access control, continuous verification, data classification, policy-based governance, encryption, audit logging, and cross-cloud security enforcement. It proposes an integrated architecture that combines centralized policy decisions with decentralized enforcement across heterogeneous cloud platforms. The study also discusses implementation strategies, migration planning, organizational challenges, risk mitigation, and a phased maturity model for adopting zero-trust principles. It provides practical guidance for enterprise IT leaders, cloud architects, security professionals, and data governance teams.