How to Use Zero Trust to Secure Remote Contractor Access

Remote contractors have become a core part of modern business. From developers and designers to customer support reps and third-party IT vendors, they often need access to critical systems, sometimes just as much as full-time staff. But with that access comes risk.

According to Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report, 30% of security breaches now involve third parties, up from 15% the year before. It’s not just about trust. It’s about visibility, control, and continuous verification. That’s where Zero Trust comes in.

This blog unpacks what Zero Trust means in the context of remote contractors, why traditional access tools fall short, and how to build a more resilient approach using real-world guidance from NIST, CISA, and industry best practices.

Why Traditional Remote Access Is No Longer Enough

VPNs and firewalls were built for a simpler world. They assumed a single perimeter. If you could reach the network, you were basically inside the house. That’s no longer true. Contractors, vendors, and freelancers often work on their own laptops, connecting from cafés or shared spaces. Attackers know this and go after the edge.

Verizon’s data shows VPN and edge device exploits made up 22% of exploitation-related breaches in 2025, a jump from 3% the year before. Only 54% of known vulnerabilities on edge devices were fixed within a year, and the median patch time was 32 days. 

Meanwhile, 46% of compromised systems with corporate credentials were non-managed devices. That last number tells the real story: Outside endpoints are one of the weakest links.

Zero Trust flips the assumption. Instead of trusting someone because they’ve crossed the perimeter, it checks identity, device health, and intent at every step. The idea is to “never trust, always verify.”

Building a Zero Trust Framework for Contractor Access

Let’s break down how Zero Trust can work in your organization to protect against third-party risk without grinding productivity to a halt.

1. Strengthen Identity and Authentication First

Remote contractors often work across time zones, platforms, and projects. That means their credentials must be both flexible and secure.

A Zero Trust approach starts with the question: How do I know this is the appropriate person at this moment? And then there’s the question: Should this person be doing this?

Getting there means tightening identity at every step. Start with phishing-resistant MFA, such as passkeys or FIDO2 keys, to stop stolen credentials from working. Centralize accounts under one identity provider, so granting or removing access is simple. 

Layer in conditional rules that react to context, such as blocking strange devices or prompting extra checks, and keep permissions short-lived with just-in-time policies and narrowly scoped roles tailored to the contractor’s actual tasks.

2. Trust the Device, or Don’t Grant Access

If your contractor is logging in from a device you’ve never seen, how do you know it’s secure? In Zero Trust, you don’t guess. You verify.

Modern tools can evaluate device posture in real-time:

• Is the OS up to date?
• Is encryption enabled?
• Is EDR software installed and healthy?

Only when a device meets the minimum standard should it be allowed to access systems. For high-risk apps, consider restricting access to virtual desktop environments or browser isolation tools, especially when devices are unmanaged.

Contractors using their own laptops or phones may find this restrictive at first, but it’s a reasonable trade-off when you’re protecting customer data or financial records.

3. Move Beyond VPNs With Application-Level Access

If you are still using VPNs for remote access, you’re not alone. However, you might be exposed.

VPNs often give contractors access to an entire subnet rather than just the tools they need. That creates unnecessary lateral movement risk. If one account gets compromised, an attacker can easily explore more than they should.

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) replaces the tunnel with a broker. Instead of connecting to the network, contractors connect to specific applications or APIs based on their identity, device, and context.

What does this look like in practice?

• Application gateways that inspect user signals before granting access.
• Microsegmentation that isolates workloads even within internal systems.
• Policy-based access control that adapts as risk changes.

4. Shift Focus to the Data, Not Just the Walls Around It

Getting access is only part of the equation. What someone does after they’re in matters just as much, especially when sensitive data is involved. Zero Trust encourages a closer look at what’s being accessed, by whom, and how it’s handled. 

Start by classifying your data. Once you know what’s most critical, apply guardrails: Block downloads, watermark files, and mask sensitive fields when needed. Contractors don’t always need full visibility. The goal isn’t to block work but to reduce fallout if things go sideways. 

5. Watch What Happens After Login

Even valid credentials can go rogue. That’s why Zero Trust keeps watching after someone logs in. With contractors, you’re often working with less control, so session monitoring becomes essential. 

Track what’s being downloaded, edited, or deleted. Behavioral analytics can flag odd patterns such as logins at 3 a.m., or access from a country where no one works. 

Set alerts to challenge unusual behavior with fresh MFA or cut access automatically if red flags stack up. You will be catching warning signs early, before a mistake or malicious act turns into a system-wide incident.

Strengthen Your Third-Party Security Posture Today

Remote contractors bring valuable expertise to your team. However, giving them access without the right safeguards is like letting someone borrow your car without knowing if they can drive or if they plan to bring it back.

Zero Trust helps you shift from blind trust to informed confidence. It’s not about locking everyone out. It’s about verifying who they are, checking the health of their device, watching what they do, and adjusting access based on risk.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Traditional VPNs and passwords are no longer enough.
• Contractors using unmanaged devices are a real and growing risk.
• Zero Trust policies can provide specific, time-limited, and tightly-scoped access.
• The model scales, from one contractor to hundreds, without compromising control.

Unbound Digital is here to assist companies in rethinking remote access entirely. Whether it is applying structured identity policies and device checks, or building segmented access and real-time monitoring, we can help you develop a more intelligent and secure method for contractor onboarding.

If you are ready to regain control of your third-party access environment, please get in touch with us.