As work moves beyond traditional office boundaries, conventional security perimeters have become obsolete. User identity has now become the new perimeter that must be protected against increasingly sophisticated and frequent cyberattacks. Modern Identity and Access Management (IAM) must adapt to these evolving challenges, offering solutions that provide secure access to corporate resources anytime, anywhere, and on any device. It is crucial to avoid complexities that could hinder productivity and diminish employee satisfaction. In this context, Microsoft Entra stands out as the answer to today’s digital security challenges, offering innovative solutions within the Security Service Edge (SSE) framework. These solutions form the backbone of the digital business environment, ensuring secure connections between employees, customers, and partners, while protecting applications, devices, and data.
The Global Secure Access
Global Secure Access, Microsoft’s cutting-edge SSE solution, is set to revolutionize the way secure user access to networks and resources is managed. Available from July 2024, this solution addresses the needs of a modern workforce and the shift toward cloud-based operations with two key components:
- Microsoft Entra Internet Access
- Microsoft Entra Private Access
Microsoft Entra Internet Access
It provides a secure, identity-focused approach to accessing internet resources, SaaS applications, and Microsoft 365. As a Secure Web Gateway (SWG) solution, it protects users, devices, and data from online threats while ensuring a seamless user experience. Main benefits:
- Fast and Secure Access: Rapid threat detection through enriched traffic logs ensures secure access to Microsoft 365 and other resources.
- Universal Tenant Restrictions: Implementation of access controls across all managed devices and network branches, regardless of operating system or browser platform.
- Deep Integration with Microsoft Entra ID: Extending Conditional Access to external destinations and internet resources, providing adaptive access from anywhere.
- Enhanced Security: Prevents token replay attacks and ensures backward compatibility with trusted location checks.
With Microsoft Entra Internet Access, businesses gain enhanced security and visibility, especially for Microsoft 365, while maintaining a seamless user experience.
Microsoft Entra Private Access
It is a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution designed to provide secure and uninterrupted access to private applications, regardless of the user’s device, location, or network. This solution is a significant advancement for organizations looking to move away from complex and costly legacy VPNs. Main benefits:
- Broad Access Configuration: Easy setup for extensive private IP ranges and fully qualified domain names (FQDNs), enabling identity-based Zero Trust access to all private resources.
- Adaptive Access Control: Define and enforce specific access rights based on user, device, application, and context, enhancing security and compliance without sacrificing flexibility.
- Modern Authentication: Boost security for legacy protocols by implementing contemporary authentication methods.
- Simple Alternative to Legacy VPNs: Streamline access with a user-friendly alternative to traditional VPNs, incorporating MFA for legacy protocols.
Microsoft Entra Private Access helps eliminate risks associated with legacy systems, enhancing access and security for private applications. Microsoft Entra’s Global Secure Access solutions represent a significant advancement in managing secure access to business resources. By adopting these solutions, companies can ensure that network and application access remains secure, seamless, and adaptable to the needs of the modern workforce. Contact us to start a new era of secure and efficient access with Microsoft Entra.
