ZTGE
An architectural category where governance is continuous and execution cannot occur outside policy.
ZTGE-DEF-001 — Executive Definition
ZTGE is an architectural category for systems where governance is continuous and execution cannot occur outside policy.
ZTGE names the missing category that appears when governing entry (identity, access, authentication) is no longer enough—because the most critical risk and value now happens after access, during execution: actions, automations, data movement, delegated operations, agents, workflows, approvals, and cross-system effects.
Modern governance is often split into three disconnected moments: access at entry, policy declared in advance, and audit after execution. This structure allows a dangerous condition: execution can still happen outside real-time governance.
Canonical distinction:
Governing access does not govern execution.
ES: Gobernar el acceso no gobierna la ejecución.
ZTGE is not a product, not a vendor term, not “IAM++”, not an audit tool, and not an extra layer. ZTGE is a category definition: the ability to execute—emit, receive, transform, approve, delegate, deploy, or act—must be a consequence of explicit policy and live context, not an assumption.
Zero Trust remains necessary: it governs access and reduces implicit trust at entry points. ZTGE extends the governance boundary from “who can enter” to “what can happen”—continuously, in-context, and with evidence by design.
If execution cannot exist outside governance, governance must be part of execution.
Foundation (Normative Extract: Sections 1–3)
Open extract (limited to Sections 1–3)
Scope note: This extract is intentionally limited to establish rigor without opening full complexity.
1) Definition (Normative)
ZTGE denotes an architectural category in which governance is continuous and execution cannot occur outside policy. Any execution must be policy-bound, context-bound, identity-bound, and evidence-producing by design. ZTGE is a category definition, not an implementation, not a product, and not a vendor claim.
2) Structural Condition
The common model is structurally decoupled: identity and access control at entry, policy declared in advance, verification after execution. This creates the category gap: execution can occur outside governance in real time, even when access is correctly controlled.
3) The Category Void
Existing disciplines address parts of the problem, but none define the missing boundary: the governance of execution as a continuous, policy-and-context bound operational state. The canonical distinction stands: governing access does not govern execution.
Micro-FAQ
Is ZTGE a product?
No. ZTGE is a category definition. Products may implement it.
Does it replace Zero Trust?
No. It extends governance from access to execution.
Why does it matter?
Because execution increasingly happens outside governance by default.
Minimal canon only. Deeper material exists, but is intentionally not published in this layer.