Zast

Zast is a term that appears in several distinct contexts, each with its own field of application. In computer science, ZAST stands for Zero‑Access Secure Transmission, a lightweight protocol designed to reduce authentication overhead while maintaining high levels of encryption for data in transit. The protocol relies on elliptic‑curve cryptography and stream‑cipher mechanisms, and has been evaluated in peer‑reviewed studies for use in low‑power Internet of Things devices.

In the domain of industrial engineering, ZAST refers to the Zentrale Anlagensicherheits‑Technik, a German quality‑control framework that standardises safety requirements for manufacturing plants. The framework incorporates risk‑assessment models and fault‑tree analyses to help operators meet European Union directives on plant safety.

Zast is also the name of a small rural locality in the Vladimir Oblast of Russia, historically noted for its agricultural contributions during the Soviet era. The village’s population has declined in recent decades, and it is now part of the regional effort to preserve traditional Russian folk architecture.

Because the abbreviation has multiple independent origins, it is common to see "ZAST" used with a context‑specific qualifier in academic literature and industry documentation.