Microsoft Entra Security Service Edge (SSE) on RunAs Radio

I recently had the opportunity to join my good friend Richard Campbell on the RunAs Radio podcast. During this episode, we discussed the new Microsoft Entra Security Service Edge (SSE). This new service offering includes Entra Internet Access, a cloud-based secure web gateway, and Entra Private Access, an identity-centric zero-trust network access (ZTNA) solution. Entra Private Access is in public preview today. Entra Private Access is still in private preview at the time of this writing, however.

You can listen to RunAs Radio episode 906 here.

Enjoy!

Microsoft Entra Global Secure Access

Last week Microsoft introduced new Security Service Edge (SSE) capabilities as part of the Microsoft Entra suite of technologies. Included in these announcements, Microsoft introduced the public preview of two new secure remote access technologies – Microsoft Entra Internet Access and Microsoft Entra Private Access. The latter of these will particularly interest Microsoft Always On VPN administrators in some deployment scenarios.

Microsoft Entra Internet Access

Microsoft Entra Internet Access is a new Secure Web Gateway (SWG) cloud service solution designed to protect users from threats on the public Internet. Features include web content filtering, malware inspection, TLS inspection, and more. In addition, Entra Internet Access can protect Microsoft 365 applications. Azure Conditional Access policies can be enforced for Internet traffic. Network conditions are now included with Azure Conditional Access, which can further protect against attacks by requiring access from specific trusted or compliant networks. Today, the public preview is available for Microsoft 365 scenarios only. Internet traffic and other SaaS applications will be available later this year.

Microsoft Entra Private Access

Microsoft Entra Private Access is a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) cloud service solution that leverages the Azure Application Proxy access model. With Azure App Proxy, administrators can easily publish private, on-premises web applications by installing the connector on an on-premises server. Administrators can leverage Azure AD authentication and conditional access policies to ensure device compliance or enforce multifactor authentication (MFA), if required. Microsoft Entra Private Access extends the capabilities of the Azure Application Proxy to support TCP and UDP-based applications.

Private Access vs. Always On VPN

Microsoft Entra Private Access will be a compelling alternative to Always On VPN in the future. Specifically, organizations using native Azure AD join devices could benefit tremendously from this technology. Microsoft Entra Private Access is much simpler to implement than Always On VPN and requires no on-premises infrastructure other than the Azure Application Proxy connector. Using Microsoft Entra Private Access also means that no inbound access from the Internet is required, making the solution inherently more secure and reducing the public attack surface. For organizations using hybrid Azure AD join, Always On VPN continues to be the best Microsoft solution for these scenarios.

References

Microsoft Entra Expands into Security Service Edge (SSE)

Microsoft Entra – Secure Access for a Connected World

Microsoft Entra Internet Access Preview

Microsoft Entra Private Access Preview

What is Zero Trust?

What is Zero Trust Network Access?

What is Security Service Edge (SSE)?

What is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)?

What’s the Difference Between SSE and SASE?

Contact Us

I’ve had the privilege of participating in the private preview for Microsoft Entra Internet Access and Private Access. If you’d like to learn more about these technologies and how they can help your organization, fill out the form below, and I’ll provide more information.

NetMotion Mobility Is Now Absolute Secure Access

NetMotion Mobility is a premium enterprise mobility and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution that delivers unrivaled capabilities and performance. It includes many features unavailable in any other secure remote access solution. It is software-based, running on Windows Server, and does not require dedicated or proprietary hardware. It also features broad client support, including Windows (Professional and Enterprise), macOS, iOS (iPhone and iPad), and Android phones and tablets.

Absolute Software

Last year NetMotion Software was acquired by Absolute Software, makers of persistent, self-healing security software. Beginning with release 12.70, NetMotion Mobility has been rebranded as Absolute Secure Access. In addition, NetMotion Mobile IQ, a comprehensive visibility and reporting tool that integrates with Mobility is now Absolute Insights for Network.

What’s New in 12.70

Absolute Secure Access v12.70 has been completely rebranded, and the management user interface (UI) has a new look and feel. The UI and endpoint agent also includes new icons. In addition, Absolute Secure Access 12.70 includes the following new features.

  • Formal support for Windows Server 2022
  • Enhanced data warehouse security controls
  • Faster Network Access Control (NAC) checks
  • Improved user and device authentication certificate selection – no more user prompts!
  • Support for iOS 16

Migration Path

Migrating from NetMotion Mobility 12.5x to Absolute Secure Access 12.70 is straightforward. However. Migrating from NetMotion Mobility releases before 12.5x will prove more challenging. Specifically, the 12.5x release introduced some significant architectural changes which prevent in-place upgrades to 12.70. With NetMotion Mobility releases before 12.5x, it is recommended to implement new infrastructure running 12.70 and migrate users to the new infrastructure.

Additional Information

Absolute Enterprise VPN and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

VIDEO: Introduction to Absolute Secure Access Enterprise VPN and ZTNA

What’s New in Absolute Secure Access 12.70

Absolute Secure Access Purpose-Built Enterprise VPN

Absolute Secure Access Purpose-Built Enterprise VPN Advanced Features In Depth

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