The Sixth Generation (6G) network is a platform for the fusion of the physical and virtual worlds. It will integrate processing, communication, intelligence, sensing, and storage of things. All devices and their virtual counterparts will become part of the service-provisioning process. In essence, 6G is a purposefully cooperative network that heavily depends on the capabilities of edge and end-devices. Digital Twin (DT) will become an essential part of 6G, not only in terms of providing a virtual representation of the physical elements and their dynamics and functionalities but rather DT will become a catalyst in the realization of the cooperative 6G environment. DT will play a main role in realizing the full potential of the 6G network by utilizing the collected data at the cyber twin and then implementing using the physical twin to ensure optimal levels of accuracy and efficiency. With that said, such a cooperative non-conventional network infrastructure cannot rely on conventional centralized intrusion detection and prevention systems. Zero-trust is a new security framework that aims at protecting distributed data, devices, components and users. This article presents a new framework that integrates the zero-trust architecture in DT-enabled 6G networks. Unlike conventional zero-trust solutions, the proposed framework adapts a decentralized mechanism to ensure the security, privacy and authenticity of both the physical devices and their DT counterparts. Blockchain plays an integral part in the authentication of DTs and the communicated data. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is integrated into all cooperating nodes using meta, generalized and federated learning solutions. The article also discusses current solutions and future outlooks, with challenges and some technology enablers.

翻译：第六代（6G）网络是物理世界与虚拟世界融合的平台，将集成万物处理、通信、智能、感知与存储功能。所有设备及其虚拟对应物都将成为服务供给过程的一部分。本质上，6G是一种高度协作的网络，严重依赖边缘与终端设备的能力。数字孪生（DT）将成为6G的关键组成部分，不仅为物理元素及其动态与功能提供虚拟表示，更将成为实现协作式6G环境的催化剂。通过利用网络孪生采集的数据并在物理孪生端实施，数字孪生将在实现6G网络全部潜能中发挥核心作用，确保最优精度与效率。然而，这种非常规的协作式网络基础设施无法依赖传统集中式入侵检测与防御系统。零信任是一种新型安全框架，旨在保护分布式数据、设备、组件与用户。本文提出一种集成零信任架构的DT赋能6G网络新框架。不同于传统零信任方案，该框架采用去中心化机制，确保物理设备及其数字孪生对应方的安全性、隐私性与真实性。区块链在数字孪生认证与通信数据验证中发挥关键作用。人工智能（AI）通过元学习、泛化学习与联邦学习方案集成至所有协作节点。本文还讨论了现有解决方案与未来展望，分析了相关挑战及若干技术使能因素。