As IT leaders, we’re constantly balancing innovation with risk, modernising infrastructure while safeguarding access. In today’s hybrid, multi-cloud world, traditional VPNs are increasingly misaligned with the agility and security our organisations demand. They’re broad, brittle, and often a bottleneck to progress.
That’s why Microsoft Entra Private Access is more than just a technical upgrade, it’s a strategic enabler.
Why VPNs No Longer Fit the Bill
VPNs were built for a perimeter-based world. But in a landscape where users, devices, and applications are everywhere, that perimeter no longer exists. VPNs grant wide network access, making them vulnerable to lateral movement and difficult to manage at scale.
Microsoft Entra Private Access offers a modern alternative, one that aligns with Zero Trust principles and the realities of distributed work.
Rethinking Secure Access in a Boundary-less World
Microsoft Entra Private Access is part of the broader Security Service Edge (SSE) offering, and it’s designed to do one thing exceptionally well: provide secure, conditional, and identity-based access to private apps and resources, whether they’re on-premises or in the cloud.
But this isn’t just a VPN replacement. It’s a reimagining of how access should work in a Zero Trust world.
Why This Matters
Let’s break it down:
- Zero Trust by Design
No user or device is implicitly trusted. Every access request is evaluated based on identity, device health, location, and risk signals. It’s security that adapts to context. - Granular, Per-App Access
Unlike VPNs that open the floodgates to entire networks, Entra Private Access allows precise, per-application access. That means a dramatically reduced attack surface and better control. - Conditional Access Everywhere
Extend policies like MFA, device compliance, and location-based rules to all private resources, even legacy apps without rewriting them. It’s consistent enforcement, simplified. - SSO for Private Apps
Users get seamless access with Single Sign-On, and with Windows Hello for Business, password less authentication becomes a reality. Productivity and security, hand in hand. - Application Discovery and Segmentation
Automatically identify private apps and segment access based on business impact. This not only simplifies policy creation but also gives you deeper visibility into how resources are used.
New Use Cases That Are Changing the Game
Microsoft has recently rolled out five compelling use cases that show just how versatile Entra Private Access can be:
- Secure Azure Managed Services Access
Connect privately to Azure SQL, Storage, and ML via Private Link or service endpoints. - Simplified Connector Deployment
Group connectors and define traffic profiles with ease no more complex setups. - Edge-Accelerated Private DNS Resolution
Faster access without compromising security. - Controlled Access via Service Endpoints
Restrict traffic to approved connector IPs for tighter control. - SSO for All Private Resources
Seamless access across environments, no matter where your apps live.
How It Works
At the heart of the architecture are three key components:
- Private Network Connector
Installed on-prem or in a vNet, it securely tunnels traffic to private resources. - Traffic Forwarding Profiles
These intelligently route traffic based on access type. - Global Secure Access Client
Deployed on user devices, it enforces access policies wherever users are.
Licensing and Integration
Microsoft Entra Private Access requires Microsoft Entra ID P1 or P2, and is available standalone or as part of the Microsoft Entra Suite. It also integrates with Privileged Identity Management (PIM) to support just-in-time access for sensitive resources.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just about replacing VPNs, it’s about rethinking secure access for a world without boundaries. Microsoft Entra Private Access empowers organisations to modernise legacy infrastructure, secure cloud-native workloads, and accelerate their journey to Zero Trust.
If you’re exploring how to evolve your access strategy, this is a conversation worth having
Book a call – Frontline Consultancy and Business Services Ltd
Article written by Anthony Roberts – Head of Cloud Services Hosting
