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Zero Trust Security Principles How does ZTNA work?

Securing remote user access to resources Enable third-party access and BYOD policies Allows for smoother cloud migrations Simpler merger and acquisition integration Streamlined DevOps access Aids the security transformation journey

What are the benefits of ZTNA architecture? What is the difference between ZTNA and a VPN replacement? How does ZTNA fit within Security Service Edge (SSE)? What are the most common use cases of ZTNA? Introducing ZTNA Next, Netskope’s Solution for a Cloud-Based ZTNA

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Zero Trust Security Principles

ZTNA creates a new security framework, based on the zero trust security model, for connecting users with enterprise resources. Private applications connect to the ZTNA broker via application gateways. When a user connects, the cloud-based ZTNA broker verifies the user’s identity and security posture before connecting users to the authorized applications.

Users everywhere, using any device, gain direct access to applications hosted anywhere, providing superior user experience with consistent policy controls.

Because ZTNA only grants application-specific access, not network access, it eliminates unauthorized lateral movement. With ZTNA, there is no inbound connectivity to the enterprise network and the resources remain hidden from discovery, reducing the digital attack surface.

How does ZTNA work?

ZTNA works by providing both full visibility and control over users, applications, and devices that have access to a growing number of systems and services. The Netskope zero trust model creates secure environments for all kinds of previously difficult or risky situations.

ZTNA applications include:

Securing remote user access to resources

Netskope zero trust capabilities provide application access for authenticated and authorized users. By eliminating implicit trust privileges, our platform reduces the risks and exposure associated with traditional remote access VPN. These users will have access to everything they need and nothing that they don’t, all while consistently reaffirming their identities to prevent unauthorized access.

Enable third-party access and BYOD policies

Sometimes it’s necessary to grant access to individuals or devices outside of the immediate enterprise’s network. Using ZTNA, administrators can safely provision access to contractors, suppliers, and other third-party users using the browser access (clientless) to web applications. Additionally, ZTNA creates safeguards to allow network access to personal devices while protecting permissions to more sensitive systems and information.

Allows for smoother cloud migrations

Whether it’s today, tomorrow, or next year, we are all moving to the cloud. ZTNA makes these migrations simpler by creating direct, secure access to all kinds of cloud applications and infrastructures. Utilizing the streamlined nature of the cloud, ZTNA allows users to set up and deploy in minutes, creating seamless direct access to resources hosted in public cloud environments, without the complex network routing.

Simpler merger and acquisition integration

Mergers are complex, but combining systems and providing access doesn’t have to be. ZTNA provides approved users with “day one” access to internal resources without the complexity of combining networks. This way you can get up and running with new employees and processes faster than ever before.

Streamlined DevOps access

In today’s world, developers can’t always be expected to work on-site. ZTNA provides secure native access to resources regardless of where they are hosted in data centers and Virtual Private Clouds (VPC).

Aids the security transformation journey

Everything about the way we do business is changing at an ever more rapid pace, necessitating the need for new security and networking technologies. ZTNA applies zero trust principles to application and network access, therefore reducing the overall attack surface area by eliminating the exposure of protocols and services to the public internet.

ZTNA works by providing both full visibility and control over users, applications, and devices that have access to a growing number of systems and services.

What are the benefits of ZTNA architecture?

A Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) architecture enhances security by ensuring only authenticated and authorized users can access resources, reducing the risk of breaches. It also improves user experience by providing seamless and secure remote access to applications without relying on traditional VPNs.

Benefits of a ZTNA architecture include:

Zero trust access to private applications: Protect data and resources with application-level access control based on user identity, authorization, and security posture.
Seamless and direct access to public cloud(s): Connect users anywhere directly to applications in public cloud environments–no need to hairpin through corporate infrastructure.
Reduce digital attack surface: Ensure that applications hosted anywhere, in public cloud and private data centers, are never exposed to the internet. Eliminate the need for hosting applications in the DMZ or maintaining public facing services such as VPN. Avoid the brand damage, fines, and remediation costs associated with private application breaches.
Simplified IT operations: Modernize network architecture and increase security for internet use using a scalable, cloud-based platform that unifies ZTNA, with cloud security (CASB) and web security (SWG).

A Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) architecture enhances security by ensuring only authenticated and authorized users can access resources, reducing the risk of breaches.

What is the difference between ZTNA and a VPN replacement?

ZTNA differs from a traditional VPN in that it provides granular access controls and verifies every user, device, and application before granting access to specific resources, rather than VPNs which usually allow broad network-level access after authentication. ZTNA is considered a better solution than a VPN because it reduces the attack surface by eliminating vulnerabilities associated with overly permissive network access, provides greater visibility and control over who is accessing what resources, and aligns with modern security principles of zero trust by not assuming any user or device is trustworthy by default.

How does ZTNA fit within Security Service Edge (SSE)?

ZTNA is a core component of the Security Service Edge (SSE) architecture, which provides a unified, cloud-native solution for secure access and threat protection across diverse environments. With the rise of remote work, ZTNA provides a secure way to access applications and data without using traditional VPNs. By integrating with other SSE capabilities like SWG and CASB, ZTNA provides comprehensive threat protection and real-time monitoring and control over user access and data flows across the entire network.

ZTNA is a core component of the Security Service Edge (SSE) architecture, which provides a unified, cloud-native solution for secure access and threat protection across diverse environments.

What are the most common use cases of ZTNA?

In an enterprise system, it is primarily used to secure remote access to applications, data, and resources across on-premises and multi-cloud environments.

ZTNA use cases:

Serves as a replacement for traditional VPNs by providing granular, context-aware access controls based on user identity, device posture, and other risk factors.
Enables secure access to SaaS applications and cloud resources, ensuring consistent security policies and visibility regardless of where the applications and data reside.
Ensures enterprises can reduce their attack surface, improve security posture, and enable a more secure and productive remote workforce.

In an enterprise system, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is primarily used to secure remote access to applications, data, and resources across on-premises and multi-cloud environments.

Introducing ZTNA Next, Netskope’s Solution for a Cloud-Based ZTNA

ZTNA Next is an advanced solution that builds upon core principles to provide enhanced capabilities and streamlined operations. With ZTNA Next, organizations can offer direct platform access to authorized users, enabling them to securely access and interact with applications, data, and resources without the need for traditional remote desktop or VPN connections.

This approach not only simplifies operations by eliminating the complexities associated with managing remote access solutions but also enhances security by minimizing the attack surface. Additionally, ZTNA Next often includes features like remote assistance, which allows authorized support personnel to securely access and troubleshoot issues on end-user devices, further improving operational efficiency and end-user experience.

Netskope ZTNA Next Architecture

In an enterprise system, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is primarily used to secure remote access to applications, data, and resources across on-premises and multi-cloud environments.