10 Best ZTNA Solutions (Zero Trust Network Access) in 2023

ZTNA Solutions fundamental function is to grant users authorized access to resources and apps based on their identification and device rather than their physical location or network.

Granular access controls, rigorous authentication, and continuous monitoring are all features of the best ZTNA solutions that uphold the least privilege principle and lessen security risks.

In contrast to conventional methods, ZTNA operates on the tenet of “never trust, always verify,” requiring meticulous authentication and authorization of each access request.

This restricts access to restricted resources within and beyond the corporate network to just those people and devices with the proper authorization.

What is ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access)?

The Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution is a novel cybersecurity strategy developed to increase data security by introducing robust access controls and authentication methods.

ZTNA follows the policy of “never trust, always verify,” in contrast to the more common practice of “trust but verify.”

No matter the user’s location or the network’s environment, ZTNA, or Zero Trust Network Access, is a security framework that focuses on granting secure access to resources and applications.

Organizations can provide secure access based on need-to-know by implementing ZTNA, preventing unwanted access, and reducing the effect of compromised credentials or devices.

Critical Components of Zero Trust Network Access:

Identity-Based Access Control: Users must verify their identities before being granted access. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is commonly used to increase safety in this way.

Application-Centric Approach: Instead of providing unrestricted access to the entire network, ZTNA prioritizes the safety of individual applications and resources.

Software-Defined Perimeters (SDP): ZTNA frequently employs SDP to establish virtual Parameters around designated resources.

The SDP effectively generates a “black box” effect by isolating the protected resources in this manner.

Single Sign-On (SSO) Integration: Single Sign-On (SSO) systems are frequently integrated with ZTNA solutions to facilitate easy user authentication and management without compromising security.

API-Driven Architecture: ZTNA solutions often use application programming interfaces (APIs) to link with existing security and identity management systems, allowing for a smooth and scalable rollout.

10 Best ZTNA Solutions in 2023

1. Perimeter 81

2. Zscaler

3. Cisco

4. Fortinet

5. Cloudflare

6. Akamai

7. Palo Alto Networks

8. Forcepoint

9. Cato Networks

10. Twingate

Best Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) Solutions

Best ZTNA Solutions	Features
1. Perimeter 81	Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) Software-Defined Perimeters (SDP) Single Sign-On (SSO) Integration Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Cloud Management Platform Global Private Network
2. Zscaler	Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Architecture SSL Inspection and Decryption Web Content Filtering Cloud Application Control Bandwidth Control and Traffic Shaping Secure Private Access for Remote Users
3. Cisco	Network visibility and auditing Least privilege access control Context-aware access policies Integration with existing security infrastructure Secure access for third-party partners/vendors Support for hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
4. Fortinet	Threat Intelligence and Analytics Secure Web Gateway (SWG) Secure Email Gateway (SEG) Sandboxing and Advanced Threat Protection Security Operations and Automation
5. Cloudflare	Content Delivery Network (CDN) Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Protection Web Application Firewall (WAF) Argo Smart Routing Bots Management
6. Akamai	Cloud Security Solutions API Security Mobile App Performance Optimization Real User Monitoring (RUM) Video Delivery and Streaming
7. Palo Alto Networks	Panorama Management Application Visibility and Control Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) File and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
8. Forcepoint	Remote Browser Isolation Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) Cloud Application Visibility Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA)
9. Cato Networks	Encrypted Traffic Inspection Network Optimization Secure Mobile Access Anomaly Detection Cloud-Native Secure Web Proxy
10. Twingate	Zero Trust Architecture Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) User and Device Authentication Centralized Management Identity Provider Integration

How Do We Choose the Best ZTNA Solutions?

We have strongly considered the following features to choose the best ZTNA solutions to meet the customer’s needs.

We check if the product has robust identity verification, encryption, micro-segmentation, and most minor privilege enforcement, all essential security features.

We focused more on the solution that must be scalable to accommodate your organization’s increasing number of users, gadgets, and software.

To Avoid creating unnecessary friction between users and software, we verify the user Interface and Flow to ensure the users pick the right choice.

Assessing how effectively the ZTNA solution integrates with your current authentication mechanisms and information technology infrastructure is essential.

Verify the solution’s compatibility with a wide range of applications, including both modern and older ones.

Select a service with low latency and excellent performance, especially for people located in remote areas.

We Ensure the zero trust network access solution complies with all applicable laws and standards in the business world and check out the vendor’s credibility, dependability, and financial stability.

Think about the long-term investment and price structure. Check the help and support users receive before, during, and after deployment.

1. Perimeter 81

Year Founded: 2018

Location: Isreal

Funding: Raised a total of $165M in funding over 6 rounds

What They Do: A security platform called Perimeter 81 has a robust ZTNA solution for safeguarding cloud setups, networks, and software applications.

It provides secure remote access, user group administration, and an enterprise-grade VPN.

It offers a unified management platform, private servers with dedicated IP addresses for various teams, and inbound and outgoing traffic encryption.

Access to public VPN networks, WiFi security, two-factor authentication, and interaction with identity suppliers are further capabilities.

Along with IP setup capabilities, it provides HIPAA compliance, financial data security, and a multi-tenant cloud.

Perimeter 81 offers a variety of functions for different security requirements.

Features

• Perimeter 81 allows employees to connect remotely and securely from anywhere in the world to business networks and cloud environments.
• The platform adheres to the Zero Trust security concept, which implies that it checks and authenticates people and devices before allowing access to resources.
• Authentication: Perimeter 81 implements multi-factor authentication (MFA) to improve security.
• Perimeter 81 uses SDP to create a micro-segmented and isolated network environment for each user or device.

What is Good?	What Could Be Good?
Secure Remote Access	Internet Dependency
Cloud-Based Infrastructure	Limited Offline Access
User-Friendly Interface	Integration Complexity
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)	Ongoing Subscription Costs

Perimeter 81 – Trial / Demo

2. Zscaler

Year Founded: 2007

Location: San Jose, California, United States

What they do: With a full cloud-native security service edge (SSE) architecture, Zscaler ZTNA solution strives to define safe, fast internet and SaaS access.

ZIA contains a cloud firewall, intrusion prevention system (IPS), data loss prevention (DLP), bandwidth management, browser isolation, cloud access security broker (CASB), and sandbox.

ZIA can provide similar security and policy enforcement no matter where connections occur, whether at the headquarters, a branch office, or remote locations, by detaching security and access controls from the network and delivering them via the cloud.

Features

• Zscaler’s SWG protects users from web-based threats such as malware, phishing, and harmful websites by inspecting and filtering online traffic in real-time.
• The cloud firewall from Zscaler safeguards the organization’s network by restricting inbound and outbound traffic based on security policies.
• Zscaler’s cloud firewall protects the organization’s network by limiting inbound and outgoing traffic based on security standards.
• Zscaler’s CASB functionality gives enterprises insight and control over cloud service consumption, allowing them to detect and prevent data exfiltration, maintain compliance, and guard against cloud-related risks.

What is Good?	What Could Be Better?
Cloud-based Security	Internet Dependency
Global Coverage	Single Point of Failure
Scalability	Privacy Concerns
Unified Security Platform	Cost

Zscaler – Trial / Demo

3. Cisco

Year Founded: 10 December 1984

Location: San Jose, California, United States

What they do: Cisco is a prominent provider of remote and hybrid work solutions and comprehensive security solutions.

Software-Defined Access (SD-Access), a ZTNA solution, enables IT and security teams to implement access regulations for remote and hybrid workforces.

It comprises role-based access controls, rigorous device verification, continuous security posture assessments, and endpoint activity analytics.

SD-Access is compatible with cloud, on-premises, and hybrid installations.

While initial adoption may be difficult, it is regarded as one of the best ZTNA solutions for mid-size and larger firms, particularly those already using Cisco security technologies.

For seamless integration with Cisco’s portfolio, SMBs should use Duo Remote Access.

Cisco is a leading ZTNA vendors and provider.

Features

• Cisco is a significant manufacturer of networking equipment, such as routers, switches, and access points, which are the foundation of computer networks.
• Cisco provides a complete security product and service portfolio to protect against cyber attacks.
• Cisco offers collaboration tools that help enterprises to communicate more effectively.
• Cisco provides cloud-based solutions and services to assist enterprises in securely deploying, managing, and scaling applications and infrastructure in the cloud.

What is Good?	What Could Be Better?
Reliability	Cost
Global Presence	Complexity
Comprehensive Product Portfolio	Vendor Lock-In
Scalability	Software Updates

Cisco – Trial / Demo

4. Fortinet

Year Founded: 2000

Location: Sunnyvale, California, United States

What they do: Fortinet is a cost-effective solution for enterprises looking to simplify their network security stack without investing in brand-new breakthroughs.

Fortinet’s product line is a comprehensive solution that allows for adding additional products to expand feature sets not accessible in Fortinet’s core capability out of the box.

Features

• FortiGate firewalls from Fortinet offer comprehensive threat protection, application control, intrusion prevention, SSL inspection, and VPN functionality.
• FortiAnalyzer is a centralized logging and reporting tool that collects and analyzes security event logs from various Fortinet devices.
• FortiManager is a centralized management platform that enables managers to configure and monitor various Fortinet devices through a single interface, simplifying security management.
• FortiManager is a centralized management platform that allows administrators to configure and monitor multiple Fortinet devices from a single interface, simplifying security management.

What is Good?	What Could Be Better?
Comprehensive Security Solutions	Cost
FortiGate Firewall	Complexity
Security Fabric	Software Updates and Licensing
Threat Intelligence	Vendor Lock-In

Fortinet – Trial / Demo

5. Cloudflare

Year Founded: 27 September 2010

Location: San Francisco, California, United States

What they do:Cloudflare’s cybersecurity company offers Cloudflare Access as a ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) solution.

It allows remote users to access on-premises, public cloud, and SaaS apps safely.

Administrators can link with various identity providers and set up granular access controls depending on their responsibilities.

Access is ensured via device verification, and endpoint protection provider integrations are possible.

In-depth logging is available using Cloudflare Access to track user activities.

It uses a widely dispersed edge network to scale and provide quick connections.

The reliability and integrations with identity providers like Cloudflare are lauded.

Deployment, however, could take a while and need technical know-how.

Cloudflare Access is advised for businesses with knowledgeable IT teams for a sophisticated setup.

Features

• Cloudflare runs a worldwide CDN that caches and delivers website content to visitors from the closest data center, lowering latency and improving page load times.
• Cloudflare’s DDoS protection mitigates and blocks Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) assaults, ensuring that websites and apps stay operational even during large-scale attacks.
• Cloudflare’s WAF protects against SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other OWASP Top 10 attacks.
• Cloudflare provides SSL/TLS certificates and HTTPS encryption for websites, ensuring a safe connection between the server and visitors’ browsers.

What is Good?	What Could Be Better?
Content Delivery Network (CDN)	Data Privacy Concerns
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Protection	Service Dependency
Web Security Features	Configuration Complexity
Global Network Presence	Limited Customization

Cloudflare – Trial / Demo

6. Akamai

Year Founded: 1998

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

What they do:A cybersecurity business called Akamai Technologies provides the greatest ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) solution.

Their Enterprise Application Access is a ZTNA software that runs in the cloud and gives remote users secure access to the company network. It offers integrations with identity providers, multi-factor authentication, real-time activity analysis, and access policies that are specific to each application.

The system interfaces effectively with LDAP, Active Directory, SIEM logs, and third-party security solutions and is scalable and simple to deploy.

Akamai’s Enterprise Application Access is one of the best ZTNA solutions for SMBs and larger enterprises.

They are among the leading ZTNA vendors and suppliers.

Features

• Akamai’s worldwide CDN speeds up the delivery of online material, movies, and apps by caching and serving them from servers placed close to end users, lowering latency and enhancing performance.
• Dynamic caching and image optimization are two Akamai web application acceleration services that help improve the speed and responsiveness of online applications.
• Akamai offers comprehensive DDoS protection to defend against large-scale Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) assaults, assisting in maintaining website and application availability and uptime.
• Akamai’s WAF helps protect against web application vulnerabilities and exploits by filtering and monitoring HTTP/HTTPS requests to detect and block malicious traffic.

What is Good?	What Could Be Better?
Global Network Presence	Cost
Content Delivery Network (CDN) Capabilities	Complexity
Scalability	Dependency on Service Provider
Web Performance Optimization	Data Privacy Concerns

Akamai – Trial / Demo

7. Palo Alto Networks

Year Founded:2005

Location: Santa Clara, California, United States

What they do: Palo Alto is a renowned industry leader with a diverse product portfolio.

They are an excellent alternative for large companies with a broad mix of on-premise and SaaS requirements.

Palo Alto also provides developing solutions such as DNS Security, which detects and prevents zero-day attacks on the internet by using Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-supported URL filtering. 

Features

• The NGFW from Palo Alto Networks offers advanced firewall capabilities such as application-aware security, user-based policies, intrusion prevention, and SSL decryption to inspect encrypted traffic.
• To protect against known and undiscovered malware and other threats, Palo Alto Networks provides complete threat prevention tools such as antivirus, anti-spyware, URL filtering, and DNS security.
• WildFire is a cloud-based threat analysis service from Palo Alto Networks that automatically finds and analyzes unknown or evasive malware to give real-time threat intelligence and defense.
• The URL filtering feature of Palo Alto Networks assists enterprises in controlling access to websites based on content categories, URLs, and user-based restrictions, preventing access to malicious or inappropriate websites.

What is Good?	What Could Be Better?
SaaS Security	Mobile endpoint and agent update issues
Advanced URL Filtering	Panorama for centralized management requires customer deployment and hosting
Cloud Identity Engine

Palo Alto Networks – Trial / Demo

8. Forcepoint

Year Founded:1994

Location: Austin, Texas, United States

What they do:Leading Zero Trust platform Forcepoint is centered on transparency and data security.

The solution is a fantastic option for businesses that need to know more about the data customers and applications are accessing and the purposes for which they are utilizing it.

Organizations pick Forcepoint because they are leaders in this field regarding context connected to user and application behaviors.

Features

• Web security solutions from Forcepoint safeguard against web-based threats such as malware, phishing, and dangerous websites.
• DLP solutions from Forcepoint prevent sensitive data from being leaked or exposed outside of the enterprise.
• The CASB feature of Forcepoint ensures data security and compliance in cloud environments by providing visibility and control over cloud apps and services.
• Insider threat security solutions from Forcepoint assist in detecting and preventing insider threats by monitoring user activity and recognizing suspicious activities that may suggest possible dangers.

What is Good?	What Could Be Better?
Comprehensive Security Suite	Complexity for Small Businesses
Advanced Threat Detection	Integration Challenges
Unified Management Console	Cost
Cloud-Based Solutions	Learning Curve

Forcepoint – Trial / Demo

9. Cato Networks

Year Founded: January 2015

Location: Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

What they do: Cato Networks is an excellent alternative for enterprises with tiny IT staff and no requirement for on-premises deployments.

The vendor provides managed services and effectively brings on new locations.

Cato Networks attracts early adopters because it is one of the first full-SASE platforms.

It is cloud-based, allowing for fast deployment with minimal customer engagement.

Features

• Cato Networks offers a secure software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) solution that improves network performance and streamlines branch office connectivity.
• Cato Networks’ cloud security features include web security, firewall protection, and secure web gateway capabilities.
• Cato Networks’ SASE platform includes a next-generation firewall, which provides sophisticated security capabilities such as application control, intrusion prevention, and SSL inspection.
• Cato Networks uses a Zero Trust security architecture to ensure that users and devices are correctly authenticated and approved before gaining access to corporate resources.

What is Good?	What Could Be Better?
Integrated SD-WAN and Security	Cost
Cloud-Native Architecture	Dependency on Cloud Connectivity
Global Network Presence	Limited Hardware Options
Security as a Service (SECaaS)	Feature Set Customization

Cato Networks – Trial / Demo

10. Twingate

Year Founded: 2019

Location: Redwood City, California 

What they do: Twingate is a cloud-based remote access ZTNA solution that gives scattered workforces secure access to company resources.

It provides a software-defined boundary without external hardware, enabling central user and device access management.

Through the Twingate app, users can quickly access corporate apps.

Split tunneling is supported on the platform for robust connections, and ViPR technology is used for routing and authorization decisions that are made automatically.

Administrators may interact with identity providers, define user access controls, and learn about network access.

Twingate is renowned for its user-friendly interface, scalability, and dependability.

Minor to midsize organizations looking for user-friendly and secure remote access are advised to use it.

Features

• Twingate employs the zero-trust security approach, which requires verifying and authenticating individuals and devices before providing them access to resources.
• Twingate is a cloud-native service that enables enterprises to provide and manage secure access to their resources without requiring on-premises infrastructure.
• Twingate enables remote and mobile users to securely access internal resources from anywhere, resulting in a smooth and secure user experience.
• Twingate enables enterprises to segment their networks and manage access to specified resources based on user roles and permissions, improving security and lowering the attack surface.

What is Good?	What Could Be Better?
Enhanced Security	Cost
Simplified Remote Access	Dependency on Internet Connectivity
User-Friendly Experience	Limited Offline Access
Centralized Management	Learning Curve

Twingate – Trial / Demo

Conclusion

In conclusion, as cybersecurity has changed over time, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) options have become a powerful way to handle things.

The best ZTNA solutions combine strict access rules, user-centered authentication, and constant monitoring to create a dynamic and safe network environment.

By moving away from standard perimeter-based security models, these solutions improve security, lower attack surfaces, and give users a smooth experience in a world where threats are constantly changing.

Source: https://cybersecuritynews.com/best-ztna-solutions/