Design and Implement a Zero-Trust Network Architecture for Financial Institution (6 Months)

We are seeking an expert freelancer to design, implement, and document a Zero-Trust network architecture for our mid-sized financial institution. The project involves a complete overhaul of our existing network security posture, moving away from traditional perimeter-based defenses to a Zero-Trust model. This includes segmenting the network into microsegments, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users and devices, leveraging a Software Defined Perimeter (SDP), continuously monitoring network traffic with advanced threat detection capabilities and integrating Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system. The ideal candidate will have deep experience with Zero-Trust principles, network segmentation, identity and access management (IAM), and cloud security best practices. Experience with financial regulations such as PCI DSS is highly desirable. The scope includes a thorough risk assessment, design documentation, implementation of security controls, testing and validation, employee training on the new architecture, and ongoing support for 6 months post-implementation. The freelancer will need to collaborate closely with our existing IT team, security engineers, and compliance officers throughout the project lifecycle. We are looking for a proactive individual with excellent communication skills and a proven track record of successfully implementing Zero-Trust architectures. A detailed project plan with milestones will be developed in collaboration with the selected freelancer. We expect to see a significant reduction in our attack surface and improved overall security posture as a result of this project.