Secure Your Organization’s Applications with Microsoft Entra Private Access
Your employees want the flexibility of working from anywhere, but you still utilize an on-premises server for line-of-business applications.
A VPN works fine, but it can be complicated to configure and allow unnecessary access to your entire network.
What if you only want to give access to certain applications and resources based on your employees’ role?
Microsoft Entra Private Access aims to do this while enhancing security with a “never trust, always verify” approach to protect your sensitive data.
What is Microsoft Entra Private Access?
By establishing a secure tunnel, Entra Private Access allows organizations to protect their on-premises applications and resources for employees working outside of the office.
Your employees won’t be able to access your organization’s data until they log in using the proper login credentials and device. (The fancy tech term is an identity-centric, zero-trust network access (ZTNA) solution.)
And if they do successfully log in Monday, they’ll have to reverify Tuesday because every connection request is considered untrustworthy until it has been verified as legitimate, hence the “never trust, always verify” mantra.
You also can limit access to exactly what your employees need with a ZTNA solution — no more or less.
Picture this: A traditional VPN is like a house key; once you open that front door, you have access to the whole house. With ZTNA, you may have the key to get through the front door, but you then need to verify who you are to determine if you have access to the living room or kitchen.
Does Entra Private Access Replace a VPN?
Yes, it is a direct VPN replacement, unlike Entra Internet Access.
But like a VPN, Entra Private Access must be installed on each device. However, it’s an exponentially easier process that your IT staff or MSP can complete remotely.
Once connected to Entra, nothing changes about how your employees work, as it works quietly in the background while creating a secure connection. Your company’s data stays protected, and you don’t have to rely on employees making judgment calls about network safety.
In the end, you get a straightforward way to ensure safe access to your on-premises apps, no matter where your employees are working from.
“Remote employees can access on-premises data and be just as protected as those who work in the office. If you have employees who spend most of their time outside of the office, we can discuss ways to keep your data safe.”
How Does Entra Private Access Differ From a VPN?
Entra differs from a VPN in a few ways:
- Granular control: While VPNs give your employees access to your entire network, Entra allows you to grant access to select applications, limiting unnecessary exposure and reducing the attack surface.
- Enhanced security: Using a zero-trust model, Entra verifies every user and device before allowing access. It also offers security features like multifactor authentication and single sign-on.
- Simplified management: VPNs are complicated and hard to manage. With Entra, users and groups can be easily configured to ensure they only have access to the resources they need access to.
Familiar Login, No Extra Hassle
For your employees, one of the best parts of Entra is that it will feel familiar. They use the same Microsoft 365 credentials they already know — no new passwords, no separate VPN software and no extra step they’re likely to forget. That means fewer help desk tickets and fewer interruptions to their workday.
Entra integrates with the same identity system you already trust, using conditional access and multifactor authentication policies you’ve already set up.
How Much Does Entra Private Access Cost?
Entra is $5 per user, per month, paid yearly, so the total cost is $60 per user on your renewal date.
There is no minimum license requirement, so you don’t necessarily have to get a license for every employee. Just the ones who travel or work remotely the most and need access to your on-premises resources.
Protect Your On-Premises Data with Entra Private Access
Remote employees can access on-premises data and be just as protected as those who work in the office. If you have employees who spend most of their time outside of the office, we can discuss ways to keep your data safe.
Don’t wait until a data breach or cyberattack to improve your organization’s security posture. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let’s secure your business before the next threat hits.
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