Introduction and goal: The banking industry has faced unprecedented cyber threats with the digitalization of financial services. Over 88% of data breaches in financial organizations stem from human error. Zero Trust architecture has emerged as a modern security paradigm, but its successful implementation is not merely a technical project—it requires cultural transformation and employee engagement. This study aims to investigate and explain the role of bank staff training in the successful implementation of Zero Trust architecture for protecting sensitive customer data.
Research methodology: This qualitative research employs a systematic review and content analysis approach. Sources include reputable academic papers, reports from international security institutions and domestic research in Iran’s banking sector.
Findings: Bank staff training is essential at four levels: basic Zero Trust principles for all employees, technical training (multi-factor authentication and access management) for IT teams, behavioral training (security culture and incident reporting) for everyone, and attack simulations (phishing and social engineering) for practical assessment. Key challenges include cultural resistance, time and resource constraints, varying levels of digital literacy among staff, and the need for continuous training. Practical solutions include periodic workshops, Learning Management Systems (LMS), periodic assessments and testing, a balanced reward and penalty system, and establishing a Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT).
Conclusion: Successful Zero Trust implementation in banks requires a comprehensive, multi-layered approach to training. Investing in employee training is not an additional cost but a critical necessity. The proposed six-phase model (preparation, basic training, technical training, behavioral training, simulation, and stabilization & improvement) can establish a sustainable security culture in banks and significantly reduce human errors.