Microsoft Entra Global Secure Access: The Future of Secure Network Access for Enterprises
Syed Aun Muhammad
Table of Contents
Introduction
This blog will explore Microsoft Entra Global Secure Access, its features, and how a Managed IT service partner can help.
According to a recent study, 81% of enterprises have adopted a hybrid work model, increasing the need for robust security measures. Microsoft Global Secure Access (preview) is a cutting-edge solution designed to tackle these challenges. Integrating Zero Trust principles with advanced access controls provides a modern and secure alternative to traditional VPNs, ensuring safe access to applications and data from any location.
The Zero Trust approach, which assumes that threats could be both inside and outside the network, is becoming the gold standard for enterprise security. A report by Forrester indicates that organizations implementing Zero Trust can reduce their security breaches by up to 50%. Microsoft Global Secure Access leverages these principles to offer unparalleled security and flexibility, making it an essential tool for modern enterprises.
What is Global Secure Access?
Global Secure Access is a comprehensive Secure Service Edge (SSE) platform designed to modernize how organizations protect and manage access to applications, whether they’re on-premises or in the cloud.
It consists of two primary components:
- Microsoft Entra Private Access: Enables secure access to private applications and resources hosted in your own data centers or cloud environments. It acts as a modern VPN replacement, providing a more granular, identity-centric approach to access control.
- Microsoft Entra Internet Access: Protects users and devices when accessing the public internet and SaaS applications. It offers web filtering threat protection and integrates with Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps for additional security.
Enhance Your Network Security with Microsoft Entra
Explore how Microsoft Entra Global Secure Access can transform your organization’s network security. With Zero Trust principles and seamless access control, safeguard your business against evolving threats.
Request a DemoKey Features and Functionalities of Entra Private Access
Entra Private Access revolutionizes how organizations secure access to their private applications and resources. It’s a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution that replaces traditional VPNs, offering a more granular and secure way to connect users to private networks and applications.
Application-Specific Access:
- Granular Controls: Define access policies at the application level rather than the network level. This means you can grant or deny access to specific applications based on user identity, device posture, location, and other factors.
- Least Privilege: Enforce the principle of least privilege by granting users access only to the applications they need for their role. This approach significantly limits the attack surface and curtails the possibility of lateral threat movement within internal systems.
Identity-Centric Security:
- Azure AD Integration: Leveraging Azure Active Directory, Entra Private Access ensures that only authenticated and authorized users can access private resources.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA to add an extra layer of security, requiring users to provide multiple forms of authentication before gaining access.
- Conditional Access: Define granular policies that dynamically evaluate user and device risk to determine access levels.
Simplified Deployment and Management:
- Agentless Architecture: Eliminates the need for client installations, streamlining implementation and reducing IT operational overhead compared to legacy VPNs.
- Cloud-Based Management: Centrally manage access policies and monitor activity through the Azure portal.
- Scalability: Easily scale access to accommodate a growing workforce or changes in application usage.
Enhanced Security and Visibility:
- Continuous Monitoring: Monitor traffic and user behavior for anomalies and suspicious activity.
- Threat Protection: Integrate with Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps to detect and block threats in real-time.
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Implements policy-driven controls to block unauthorized data transfers and safeguard sensitive information.
Seamless User Experience:
- Transparent Access: Enables users to reach private enterprise applications without relying on traditional VPN connections.
- Performance Optimization: Intelligent traffic routing and optimization ensure a smooth user experience.
Further Read: Microsoft Sentinel Synergy: Featuring SIEM & SOAR.
Key Features and Functionalities of Entra Internet Access
Secure Web Gateway (SWG):
- URL Filtering: Block access to malicious or inappropriate websites based on categories or custom rules.
- Web Content Filtering: Control access to specific web content types (e.g., social media, video streaming) to improve productivity and security.
- SSL/TLS Inspection: Analyze encrypted traffic to uncover hidden threats such as phishing attempts and embedded malware.
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB):
- Visibility into SaaS Usage: Gain insights into how your users use cloud applications.
- Access Control: Enforce policies to control access to SaaS applications and protect sensitive data.
- Threat Protection: Detect and block threats in SaaS traffic.
Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS):
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDS/IPS): Detect and mitigate both established and novel threats through intelligent intrusion detection and prevention systems.
- Web Application Firewall (WAF): Protect against attacks targeting web applications.
- DDoS Protection: Mitigate distributed denial-of-service attacks.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP):
- Prevent Data Leakage: Enforce policies to prevent sensitive data from being shared via email, file sharing, or cloud applications.
- Monitor Data Movement: Track the movement of sensitive data within and outside your organization.
Remote Browser Isolation:
- Enhanced Security: Isolate potentially risky web browsing sessions in a secure, cloud-based environment to protect your network and devices.
Additional Features:
- DNS Filtering: Block access to malicious domains and prevent DNS-based attacks.
- Reporting and Analytics: Generate detailed reports on web traffic, threats, and policy compliance.
Future-Proof Your Security Infrastructure
Upgrade your security framework with Microsoft Entra Global Secure Access. It’s the modern, secure solution for enterprises with hybrid work models, offering powerful access controls and seamless management.
Request a DemoHow Does Global Secure Access Benefit Large Organizations?
Global Secure Access offers a range of advantages that are particularly valuable for large organizations:
- Zero Trust Security: Implements a Zero Trust model, ensuring that no user or device is automatically trusted. User access is authorized through identity validation, device compliance checks, and adherence to defined security policies.
- Improved User Experience: Provides a seamless, agentless user experience, eliminating the need for complex VPN configurations. This simplifies remote access and enhances productivity.
- Enhanced Security Posture: Protects against various threats, including malware, phishing, and data exfiltration. The solution offers comprehensive insights into user behavior and network traffic, empowering teams to detect threats early and respond swiftly.
- Simplified Management: Centralizes security policy management, making it easier for IT administrators to control access and monitor network activity across the organization.
- Cost Savings: Can potentially reduce the cost of maintaining traditional VPN infrastructure and the costs associated with security breaches.
Use Cases for Global Secure Access
Global Secure Access is versatile and can be applied in various scenarios:
- Hybrid Work: Securely connect remote workers to on-premises and cloud resources without needing a VPN.
- Mergers & Acquisitions: Quickly and securely integrate newly acquired organizations into your network.
- Third-Party Access: Grant controlled access to partners and vendors without compromising security.
- Protecting Sensitive Data: Safeguarding confidential information by enforcing strict access policies and monitoring data access.
- Compliance: Supports adherence to regulatory frameworks by enforcing robust data protection and access governance
Setting up Microsoft Global Secure Access: A Detailed Guide
Prerequisites:
1. Licensing:
- Microsoft 365 E5/A5: This license typically includes the required Azure AD and Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps components.
- Microsoft Entra ID P1/P2: This license is essential for identity and access management features.
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps: Delivers Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) capabilities essential to Entra Internet Access functionality.
- Note: For precise licensing details tailored to your environment, engage directly with your Microsoft account representative.
2. Network Infrastructure:
- Public IP Addresses: You’ll need public IP addresses for your network connectors (for Entra Private Access) and to configure DNS settings.
- Firewall Rules: Ensure your firewall allows outbound traffic to the required Microsoft endpoints. (Microsoft provides a list of these endpoints.)
3. Azure AD Configuration:
- Azure AD Connect: If you have on-premises Active Directory, you’ll need Azure AD Connect to synchronize your identities with Azure AD.
- Conditional Access: Familiarize yourself with Conditional Access policies, as they’ll be used to control access to resources through Global Secure Access.
Step-by-Step Setup Process:
1. Enable Global Secure Access:
- In the Microsoft Entra admin center, navigate Global Secure Access and click Get Start.
- Click Activate to enable Global Secure Access for your tenant.
2. Configure Entra Private Access:
- Create Private Access applications to represent your on-premises applications.
- Set up Network Connectors to establish secure tunnels between your on-premises network and the Global Secure Access cloud service.
- Define Conditional Access policies to control who can access which private applications and under what conditions.
3. Configure Entra Internet Access:
- Enable Internet Access and create Security Profiles to define your web filtering, threat protection, and CASB policies.
- Integrate with Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps to gain additional visibility into SaaS usage and threat protection.
4. Deploy Global Secure Access Client:
- Download and install the Global Secure Access client on your users’ devices.
- The client will automatically register with the Global Secure Access cloud service and enforce your defined policies.
5.Monitor and Refine:
- Review the Global Secure Access dashboard regularly to monitor traffic, security events, and policy compliance.
- Adjust your access policies and security profiles as needed to ensure optimal protection.
Roles and Permissions:
- Global Administrator: Required for initial activation and high-level configuration.
- Global Secure Access Administrator: Manages Global Secure Access policies and settings.
- Security Administrator: Manages Conditional Access policies.
- Network Administrator: Configures network connectors and firewall rules.
Should You Consider Global Secure Access?
Fortify Your System Defenses with AlphaBOLD
Let our experts guide you through the process for a seamless transition to a more secure and efficient network.
Request a DemoConclusion
In conclusion, Microsoft Entra Global Secure Access represents a significant leap forward in how organizations secure and manage access in the modern work landscape. By converging Zero Trust principles with advanced security features and a user-centric design, it addresses the evolving needs of businesses with hybrid or remote workforces. While still in preview, its potential to transform network security is evident.
By replacing traditional VPNs, simplifying management, and enhancing visibility, Global Secure Access empowers organizations to bolster their security posture while providing seamless, secure access to the resources their employees need. Although adopting a Microsoft-focused ecosystem may involve an initial adjustment period, the long-term advantages—enhanced security posture, operational efficiency, and reduced overhead—position Global Secure Access as a forward-thinking investment for modern organizations. As this technology continues to mature, it promises to reshape the security landscape, making a Zero Trust approach to access not just an aspiration but a practical reality for organizations of all sizes.
Explore Recent Blog Posts
