Global Secure Access is a security framework that integrates Microsoft’s Security Service Edge (SSE) solutions, including Microsoft Entra Internet Access and Microsoft Entra Private Access. As organizations transition to cloud environments and embrace remote work, securing access to both public and private resources has become a top priority. Microsoft Global Secure Access (GSA) addresses this need by leveraging the principles of Zero Trust, ensuring that only authenticated and authorized users can access critical resources.
What is Zero Trust?
Zero Trust is a security model that operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” It assumes that threats can come from both outside and inside the network, so every access request is treated as if it originates from an open network. It is based on three core principles:
- Verify explicitly: Always authenticate and authorize based on all available data points, including user identity, location, device health, service or workload, data classification, and anomalies.
- Use least privilege access: Limit user access with just-in-time and just-enough-access (JIT/JEA), risk-based adaptive policies, and data protection to minimize exposure.
- Assume breach: Minimize blast radius and segment access. Verify end-to-end encryption and use analytics to gain visibility, drive threat detection, and improve defenses.
Microsoft Global Secure Access Deployment
Global Secure Access includes Microsoft Entra Internet Access and Microsoft Entra Private Access, together safeguarding internet and SaaS applications as well as private network resources. This comprehensive solution streamlines access policy management and orchestrates seamless access for employees, business partners, and digital workloads alike.
By the end of this engagement, your team will not only slash attack surfaces typically created by private application publishing but also achieve unparalleled control over outbound web traffic—all without the hefty price tag of traditional perimeter security appliances.
Microsoft Entra Private Access
What does it do:
- Replaces a VPN by removing the need to for users to connect to a private network or network segment to access resources and services traditionally only available on premises or through a dial-up connection.
- Minimizes public facing attack surface by eliminating the need to publish ports on perimeter devices to provide access to on-prem applications and services
- Reduces cost by leveraging Microsoft’s Zero Trust Framework. Security focuses on identity and access policies instead of being dependant on expensive appliances deployed at the perimeter.
- Improves on overall network security since services
- Ensures that end users experience seamless and straightforward access, eliminating complicated steps and making their interaction with applications easy and hassle-free.
Microsoft Entra Internet Access
What does it do?
- Provides continuous web browsing protection regardless of the user’s connection location.
- Enables agile Internet access with Entra Conditional Access policies. These policies allow for dynamic control over who can access resources, under what conditions, and from which locations or devices.
- Filters web traffic by fully qualified domain names (FQDN), IP address, or categories.
- Provides real-time network traffic visualization, real-time device and user monitoring as well as alerts and notifications
Cost Analysis
Microsoft Entra Private Access
Products you may have that can be replaced:
- Gateway device that uses network address translation to present private resources to public Internet
- Network edge devices that provide VPN functionality for end users to connect to the business private network.
Microsoft Entra Internet Access
Products you may have that can be replaced:
- Expensive physical appliances that require subscriptions and associated fees to keep built-in functionalities working, which include:
- Malware protection for the network
- Web Content Filters
Why Should Organizations Deploy Global Secure Access?
As organizations embrace hybrid work and cloud-based operations, securing access to critical resources has never been more important. Global Secure Access (GSA) provides a comprehensive security framework that protects against modern threats while ensuring seamless and secure connectivity. Here’s why deploying Global Secure Access is critical:
Zero Trust Security Model
- Global Secure Access enforces least privilege access, meaning users and devices only get access to what they need, reducing attack surfaces.
- Uses continuous authentication and risk-based policies to verify users and devices before granting access.
Enhanced Protection Against Cyber Threats
- Defends against phishing, malware, and ransomware by inspecting traffic and blocking malicious activity in real-time.
- Prevents data exfiltration with policy-based controls on what data can be accessed or shared.
Secure Remote & Hybrid Work
- Provides secure access from anywhere without requiring a traditional VPN, improving performance and user experience.
- Ensures consistent security policies whether users are working from home, in the office, or on public networks.
Simplified IT Management & Compliance
- Reduces the complexity of managing multiple security solutions by consolidating access control, identity verification, and traffic monitoring.
- Helps meet regulatory requirements like GDPR, HIPAA, and NIST by enforcing access controls and logging activities.
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