According to Gartner, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is “a product or service that creates an identity- and context-based, logical access boundary around an application or set of applications. The applications are hidden from discovery, and access is restricted via a trust broker to a set of named entities. The broker verifies the identity, context and policy adherence of the specified participants before allowing access and prohibits lateral movement elsewhere in the network. This removes application assets from public visibility and significantly reduces the surface area for attack.”

“Zero trust is a way of thinking, not a specific technology or architecture. It’s really about zero implicit trust, as that’s what we want to get rid of.”

Gartner Analyst, Neil MacDonald 

Cloudbrink understands the importance of ZTNA as the future of enterprise security, especially with the move most enterprises are making to a more hybrid work environment. Hybrid workers expect to be kept secure, even though hybrid work policies can make enterprise apps and data highly vulnerable. Our zero trust secure access solutions help organizations protect their assets by tightening access controls.

ZTNA vs VPN Technologies

Zero Trust (ZTNA) and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) offer two very different types of cybersecurity protection, with ZTNA being much more robust and effective.

ZTNA is based on user roles and responsibilities

When a remote user logs into a corporate network, ZTNA requires several layers of continual authentication and then limits network access based on that user’s roles and responsibilities. A VPN automatically assumes trust based on a successful login and grants access to the entire network for that user.

ZTNA goes way beyond encryption

Zero Trust Network Access operates in a “never trust, always verify” parameter that looks at and verifies user, location, and device information before granting access. Virtual Private Networks simply provide a single encrypted login process, making them more prone to attacks and data breaches.

ZTNA is a holistic approach to network security

ZTNA is a holistic security approach that treats every user attempting access to the corporate network as a potential threat. On the other hand, VPNs are basically just secure network connections.

Learn more about how Cloudbrink’s Zero Trust Network Access solutions can enhance your security posture and protect your critical assets.