{"id":15742,"date":"2023-01-19T09:51:15","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T09:51:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/?post_type=blog&p=15742"},"modified":"2025-03-05T13:10:31","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T13:10:31","slug":"zero-trust-remote-access","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.realvnc.com\/en\/blog\/zero-trust-remote-access\/","title":{"rendered":"Zero Trust Network Access vs. Remote Access: Which is Right for Your Organization?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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With RDP access remaining a top initial access vector for ransomware attacks<\/a> today, it\u2019s necessary for organizations to definitely shift away from RDP and reconsider whether the current externally-facing remote access solution they have in place (instead of RDP) is secure enough.<\/p>

Remote access solutions (beyond that of the built-in RDP) exist today, providing organizations with a secure means of remotely accessing systems from a guest device that can exist either within the corporate network or externally across the internet.<\/p>

At the same time, organizations are looking to begin their years-long journey toward a state of zero trust.\u00a0Google has been working on this initiative since 2011<\/a>\u00a0under the name\u00a0BeyondCorp<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>

For most organizations, the initial step in their zero trust journey is often to implement a single element by providing remote access through Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).<\/p>

But which type of solution is right for your organization? To answer this, let\u2019s start by defining zero trust remote access and ZTNA solutions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What is Zero Trust Network Access?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a modern security solution that provides secure remote access<\/a> to an organization\u2019s applications, data, and services.<\/p>

Unlike traditional Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which often grant access to an entire network, ZTNA operates on the principle of least privilege. This means users are granted access only to specific services or applications necessary for their tasks, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.<\/p>

By focusing on secure remote access, ZTNA solutions ensure that only authenticated and authorized users can access critical resources, which enhances the organization’s overall security posture.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How Does Zero Trust Network Access Work?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Zero Trust Network Access rigorously verifies the identity and context of users and devices before granting them access to applications and resources.<\/p>

Step 1:<\/strong> A robust network access control model applies policies based on a user’s identity, device type, location, and other contextual factors.<\/p>

Step 2: <\/strong>ZTNA employs encryption<\/a> and other advanced security controls to protect data both in transit and at rest.<\/p>

Step 3: <\/strong>Once a user is authenticated, ZTNA grants access to specific applications and resources through a secure, encrypted tunnel.<\/p>

This method ensures secure access and shields corporate applications and services from exposure to the public internet, thereby reducing potential attack vectors.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Benefits of Zero Trust Network Access<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Zero Trust Network Access offers numerous benefits, including:<\/p>

Enhanced Security: <\/strong>ZTNA integrates advanced security services, making it a modern solution for securely connecting remote and hybrid workforces.<\/p>

Limited Access: <\/strong>By granting access only to specific services or applications, ZTNA minimizes the attack surface and reduces the risk of unauthorized access.<\/p>

Real-Time Monitoring: <\/strong>ZTNA provides real-time user and device activity monitoring and analytics<\/a>, enabling organizations to detect and respond to security threats promptly.<\/p>

Zero Trust Architecture: <\/strong>Implementing a zero trust architecture means assuming that all users and devices are untrusted by default, which leads to more secure and controlled access to applications and resources.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Secure Remote Access Solutions: ZTNA vs VPNs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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ZTNA solutions offer several benefits over traditional virtual private networks<\/a> (VPNs):<\/p>

Faster Connections:<\/strong> Unlike VPNs, which often grant access to an entire network, ZTNA operates on the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users are granted access only to the specific services or applications necessary for their tasks.<\/p>

Greater Control:<\/strong> This granular approach to remote access allows organizations to implement location- or device-specific access control policies, preventing unpatched or vulnerable devices from connecting to corporate services.<\/p>

Improved Security: <\/strong>By focusing on secure remote access<\/a>, ZTNA solutions enhance the organization’s overall security posture, making them a superior choice for modern enterprises.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Select a Solution Using This Decision Framework<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Navigating the choice between ZTNA and traditional remote access solutions can be challenging. But by following a systematic three-step framework, you can evaluate your organization\u2019s needs and select the optimal solution.<\/p>

1. Define Your Options<\/h3>

While both solutions allow users to connect remotely to a corporate system, they are very different.<\/p>