Zero trust network access is a next-generation solution poised to replace long-standing Virtual Private Networks as a significant part of IT managers’ toolkits. Choosing the exemplary architecture is critical to your organization’s success. A good ZTNA platform should offer a balance between security and productivity. It should verify users and devices at the point of entry, leverage adaptive policies based on user risk, and offer a seamless remote experience.
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Integrations
When evaluating zero trust network access providers, consider how the solution integrates with your organization’s current infrastructure and systems. Choosing a vendor with integrations that work across multivendor environments and multiple cloud and physical data centers is critical. This can help ensure a seamless transition to a zero-trust model and prevent disruption of business operations. For example, look for a ZTNA provider that supports your organization’s choice of cloud providers, operating systems, and devices. It should also support your existing security frameworks, such as unified endpoint management (UEM) tools, and include functionality to assess device and user posture when entering the protected network. Zero trust provides a new security paradigm that enables users to access applications and resources only when required by their job role, significantly decreasing an organization’s vulnerability to cyber threats. Its granularity makes it an excellent fit for organizations that want to deploy microsegmentation as part of their security architecture. Zero trust solutions can be deployed as a component of an overall cybersecurity platform, including next-gen firewall, SD-WAN, and endpoint protection. In addition, a cloud-native approach helps to avoid network bottlenecks and deliver high-performance connectivity. It also enables scalability so the solution can expand as your organization grows and evolves. Additionally, look for a solution integrated with advanced threat detection technologies that provide a holistic end-to-end security, detection, and response capability.
Security
The zero trust network access (ZTNA) vendor you choose should provide the security measures necessary to meet your organization’s needs. Look for a solution that offers multi-factor authentication, network segmentation, and identity and access management capabilities. It should also integrate with your existing systems and infrastructure, which can help streamline the transition to zero trust. In addition, the zero-trust solution should support various devices and environments. Ideally, it should offer device posture checks, which assess the risk of an unmanaged device by checking its operating system version, usage of anti-virus software, disc encryption, and more. It should also support geo-location and time-based restrictions, which enable administrators to limit access to specific locations or applications during certain periods. Finally, the ZTNA solution should allow you to prevent lateral movement within your network by leveraging a “never trust, always verify” least-privilege approach. This will help reduce the risk of breaches by preventing attackers from moving between different parts of your network.
Scalability
Zero trust network access (ZTNA) is an essential first step for any security program, as it eliminates the risk of unprotected remote or hybrid work. It also provides a better solution than traditional VPNs to limit user connections to apps and data, verifying their identities and devices in real time. In addition, it helps prevent lateral movement from breaches and reduces the “blast radius” of damage that can occur when a breach does happen. When choosing a ZTNA provider, choosing one that can easily integrate with your existing systems and infrastructure is essential. It should also be scalable and support your organization’s growth in the future. This will ensure that your security posture can adapt to your business and continue to protect your data. Choosing a ZTNA vendor with a full Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) platform is essential, allowing greater visibility into your entire environment. A good SDP should have an integrated analytics engine and provide granular visibility into your apps, users, and devices to continuously verify and authenticate them. It’s also essential to look for a vendor that supports the use of native OS tools on managed devices, as well as clientless apps for BYOD. This can increase the flexibility and speed of implementation and provide better support for users’ devices.
Pricing
Zero trust network access is an approach to networking security that deviates from traditional perimeter-based models. Rather than trusting devices and applications based on their location, it validates them based on identity and credentials. This creates more robust security that travels with workloads across any network environment, including cloud, hybrid, and on-premises architectures – and provides a path to safe digital transformation. Unlike traditional VPNs, which often require multiple steps to verify a user’s identity and grant access to systems, a zero-trust model allows users to get right to work while ensuring their identities are verified and security policies applied. This helps to reduce staff frustration and makes it easier for them to complete their job. It also means employees can avoid dealing with complicated VPN setups or be prevented from working from home or at a coffee shop. When choosing a zero-trust provider, it is essential to understand the costs involved in addition to their technology features and functionality. For example, determine whether the solution uses a software-defined perimeter (SDP), secure access service edge (SASE), or an SD-WAN and what security posture assessments the vendor supports. Another consideration is the number of users or assets that are supported. Choose a scale solution if you implement a zero-trust strategy for many users and assets. This will ensure that your Zero Trust strategy can grow to meet your needs over time.
