The Use of Zero Trust Architecture in Construction Data Management: Future Trends and Future Directions

The construction industry has embraced digitalisation to manage project data and monitor project execution and worker performance daily. However, this digitalisation also creates opportunities for hackers to breach networks and conduct malicious activities. Today, data must be protected not only from external threats, believed to be hackers, but also from trusted stakeholders and internal devices to maintain full control. Therefore, this study aims to highlight the use of zero-trust architecture in enhancing construction data management and to identify the latest trends and key themes to increase awareness within the construction sector. The objective was achieved through a bibliometric review using the Scopus database over a four-year period (2021-2025). A bibliometric analysis was conducted to identify emerging trends and themes. This research was limited to Scopus-indexed peer-reviewed literature in the fields of computer science and engineering. The findings indicate a lack of domain-specific literature, suggesting that while ZTA attracts significant attention in computer cybersecurity, science, and engineering, its application in construction remains largely unexplored. The study underscores the need for ZTA in construction data management and security. It is recommended that construction stakeholders adopt ZTA for secure data management throughout the project lifecycle, as this approach remains new to the industry. Additionally, further training and education are necessary to grasp the ZTA's purpose and its implementation. The value of this research lies in mapping the evolution of this research area for researchers and all construction stakeholders. It also provides a foundation for informed ZTA adoption and future investigations within the construction sector.