Zero trust network access (ZTNA) offers robust protection by verifying every user and device attempting to access network resources. This article explores key features of leading ZTNA vendors, highlights some of the top players in the market, and offers guidance on selecting the right ZTNA solution for your organization.
Key features of ZTNA vendors include:
ZTNA solutions offer secure connections for remote users and mobile devices through encrypted tunnels, ensuring data protection and seamless access regardless of user location.
These secure web gateways guarantee access to resources for remote workers.
ZTNA vendors excel in providing comprehensive access control and policy management. This is achieved through dynamic, context-aware policies that adjust access permissions based on various factors such as:
These policies help mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and ensure compliance with security standards.
This centralized approach enables IT administrators to enforce consistent security policies across the entire organization, reducing the complexity of managing access controls and ensuring that security measures are uniformly applied.
Great ZTNA vendors often support multi-factor authentication (MFA), which adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of verification before granting access.
This significantly reduces the risk of credential theft and unauthorized access.
ZTNA is applied across the entire network, so regardless of if a user is accessing the public clouds while within the organization’s building, accessing the network remotely while using the public internet, or when unmanaged devices connect to the network, all are required to authenticate for each connection.
In addition to MFA, ZTNA vendors employ advanced identity verification techniques, such as biometric authentication and behavioral analytics.
By establishing encrypted tunnels between user devices and corporate resources, ZTNA solutions protect data in transit from interception and tampering.
ZTNA solutions provide seamless and secure access to applications and resources to the private cloud regardless of the user’s location. This flexibility enables remote workers to maintain productivity without compromising security to the corporate networks..
Granular access control is a hallmark of ZTNA vendors. This means that user access is granted only to the specific resources they need to perform their job functions, minimizing the attack surface and the risk of insider threats.
By implementing granular access controls, ZTNA solutions help organizations adhere to the principle of least privilege.
ZTNA vendors design their platforms to seamlessly integrate with a wide range of security tools, such as:
ZTNA solutions often offer APIs and connectors that facilitate integration with other security and IT management and network access control.
Top ZTNA service providers in the market include:
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access is a leading ZTNA solution that provides security and access control for remote users. Palo Alto Networks offers a cloud-delivered service that combines advanced threat prevention, secure access, and consistent policy enforcement.
Prisma Access integrates seamlessly with other Palo Alto Networks products, creating a unified security platform. This integration enhances visibility and control, allowing you to effectively manage and secure distributed workforce while maintaining high levels of security and compliance.
Cloudflare Access leverages Cloudflare Access’s global network to provide secure and fast access to applications, regardless of the user’s location. It ensures robust user verification and secure connectivity with features like:
Cloudflare Access also offers granular access controls, enabling organizations to define specific access policies for different applications and users. The integration capabilities for Cloudflare Access with various identity providers and security tools make it a versatile solution for enhancing security without compromising user experience.
Cisco Zero-Trust Network Access offers strong authentication mechanisms, including MFA and device posture checks, to ensure only authorized users can access sensitive resources.
Cisco’s solution is built on its extensive security portfolio, providing robust protection against threats.
One of the key strengths of Cisco’s ZTNA offering is its ability to integrate with existing Cisco infrastructure, such as firewalls and network management tools. This integration simplifies deployment and management, allowing organizations to leverage their current investments while implementing zero-trust principles.
Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) uses a zero-trust model to verify user identities and device security before granting access, ensuring a high level of protection against unauthorized access and cyber threats. Zscaler’s solution is cloud-based, offering scalability and flexibility for organizations with distributed workforces.
Its ability to integrate with various identity providers and security solutions makes it an attractive option for organizations looking to enhance their security posture while maintaining operational efficiency.
Cato Networks provides secure connectivity for remote users, mobile devices, and branch offices, ensuring consistent security policies across all access points. Cato Networks’ ZTNA solution is known for its ease of deployment and management.
Cato Networks integrates security and networking into a single, cloud-native platform, offering features such as threat prevention, security controls, data protection, and network optimization.
Here are the most vital factors to consider when choosing a ZTNA vendor.
When selecting a ZTNA vendor, you must consider specific security requirements. This includes understanding the types of resources and applications that need protection, the sensitivity of the data being accessed, and the regulatory compliance requirements.
A vendor’s ability to meet these needs with tailored security policies and controls is crucial.
Organizations should also assess the vendor’s support for various authentication methods, such as:
Scalability and flexibility are critical factors in choosing a ZTNA vendor. The solution should be capable of accommodating growth in the number of users, devices, and applications without compromising performance or security. This is especially important for organizations with dynamic and expanding workforces.
Additionally, the ZTNA solution should offer flexibility in deployment options, such as cloud-based, on-premises, or hybrid models, to suit the organization’s infrastructure and operational needs.
Analyze the total cost of ownership, including licensing fees, implementation costs, and ongoing maintenance expenses. It’s important to balance these costs against the value provided by the solution in terms of enhanced security, productivity, and operational efficiency.
Vendor reputation and customer support
The reputation of the ZTNA vendor and the quality of their customer support are crucial factors in the decision-making process. Organizations should research vendor reviews, case studies, and industry reports to gauge the vendor’s reliability, performance, and customer satisfaction levels.
A vendor with a strong track record and positive reputation is more likely to deliver a reliable and effective solution.
The solution should seamlessly integrate with the organization’s current security tools, network devices, and management systems to avoid disruption and ensure cohesive security management. This integration capability helps leverage existing investments and simplifies the deployment process.
Organizations should also consider the vendor’s support for various network architectures, such as:
Perimeter81’s team specializes in helping organizations create a security strategy built to limit potential security threats with comprehensive protection for organizations. Our team can help connect you with a provider that will offer the specific needs to access your cloud resources through zero-trust security and limit potential security breaches.
If you’re ready to take the next step to improve your organization’s security, reach out to us today to get your network setup.