Executive Order 14028, OMB M-22-09, and the Department of Defense Zero Trust Strategy underscore a critical shift: agencies must operate under the assumption of breach, with continuous verification and strict enforcement of least privilege access. This means Zero Trust is no longer aspirational—it’s a federal mandate.
While many Zero Trust strategies emphasize network segmentation and identity management, one vital layer remains under-addressed: the endpoint.
At HCLSoftware, we believe effective Zero Trust architecture starts at the device. HCL BigFix delivers real-time visibility, policy enforcement, and automated remediation to secure every endpoint required across federal agency environments.
Endpoint: A foundational pillar in Zero Trust
Federal IT ecosystems are expansive and diverse, encompassing on-premises, cloud, air-gapped, and tactical edge environments. Adversaries consistently target these endpoints, and they must undergo continuous security validation.
With HCL BigFix, federal agencies are able to:
- Maintain visibility into both connected and disconnected endpoints in real time
- Enforce customized, agency-defined security baselines
- Automate the remediation of vulnerabilities and misconfigurations at enterprise scale
With unified endpoint management from a single console, BigFix meets Zero Trust objectives without inflating operational complexity.
Continuous validation: Embedded in every action
At the core of Zero Trust is an uncompromising standard: verify every request, continuously. BigFix operationalizes this principle by maintaining an uninterrupted cycle of posture assessment, compliance validation, and automated response.
Federal teams utilizing BigFix:
- Validate endpoint posture prior to access authorization
- Detect and address drift against established baselines and known CVEs
- Quarantine or remediate non-compliant devices in real time
This always-on approach transforms endpoint security from reactive to proactive.
BigFix and the Zero Trust Maturity Model
BigFix is designed to support the core pillars of the CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model and the DoD Zero Trust Reference Architecture. It provides actionable capabilities aligned with federal priorities:
| Zero Trust Pillar | BigFix capability |
|---|---|
| Device Trust | Validates patches, configurations, and overall security posture |
| Visibility and Analytics | Offers real-time insights into all endpoints, including in air-gapped networks |
| Automation and Remediation | Automates enforcement and remediation based on agency-defined rules |
| Policy Enforcement | Supports SCAP, STIG, CIS, and NIST 800-53 compliance standards |
| Operational Resilience | Ensures control in hybrid, disconnected, and classified environments |
Proven in federal environments
HCL BigFix is a trusted solution across U.S. defense, intelligence, and civilian agencies. It is purpose-built for the scale, complexity, and security demands of federal missions.
Key federal-grade credentials include:
- NIAP-certified under the Application Software Protection Profile
- CDM Approved Product List inclusion
- FIPS 140-2 validated and fully supports IPv6
- Support for air-gapped and classified network enforcement
- Scalability to over 200,000 endpoints with minimal infrastructure overhead
Operationalize Zero Trust with confidence
Zero Trust is more than a compliance requirement—it’s a strategic imperative for national security. And it starts at the endpoint. With HCL BigFix, federal agencies can move beyond theoretical frameworks and achieve tangible, scalable enforcement of Zero Trust policies across every device and every environment.
Connect with HCLSoftware Federal to explore how BigFix can accelerate your Zero Trust journey today.
