The age of the traditional VPN is fading, and for good reason. Recent vulnerabilities like those in Ivanti Connect Secure and Policy Secure. Highlight the inherent risks associated with granting broad network access. These vulnerabilities allowed attackers to gain near-total control of the VPN appliance, harvesting credentials, deploying malware, and compromising critical systems. It’s time to explore a more secure and efficient approach: Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). 

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a security framework that flips the traditional approach to network access on its head.  Instead of assuming trust based on a user being inside the network perimeter (like a company office). ZTNA operates under the principle of “never trust, always verify.” This means every user and device trying to access an application or resource needs to be authenticated and authorized. Before gaining access, regardless of location. This security model eliminates the need for full VPN access, granting granular control. Over which users and devices can access specific applications. Cloudflare One, our comprehensive SASE platform, offers a robust ZTNA solution called Cloudflare Access. Here’s how Cloudflare One helps you eliminate VPN vulnerabilities and embrace a zero-trust security posture:

1. Least Privilege Access:

Imagine a library granting full access to everyone with a library card. Anyone with a card can access any book, even entire sections on topics they might not be interested in or even have permission to access. This unrestricted access is similar to a VPN. Once you have valid credentials and connect to the VPN, you gain access to the entire network, potentially including sensitive data and systems you don’t necessarily need for your job.

Now, imagine the library providing a self-service kiosk to borrow specific books. Users enter their library card and select the book they need, receiving only that particular book. This is analogous to Cloudflare Access. With Cloudflare Access, users authenticate using their credentials, but instead of getting full network access, they are granted access only to the authorized applications relevant to their role. They essentially get a “digital book” (application access) tailored to their specific needs.

Here’s why least privilege access with Cloudflare Access is advantageous:

Reduced Attack Surface:

If an attacker compromises a user account, the damage is limited. They can only access the specific applications the user has permission for, minimizing the potential for lateral movement and broader network compromise.

Enhanced Security: 

By minimizing access to only authorized applications, Cloudflare Access reduces the overall exposure to sensitive data and systems within the network.

Improved Compliance: 

Many regulations require organizations to implement granular access controls. Least privilege access makes it easier to comply with such regulations.

Simplified User Experience: 

Users only need to remember their credentials once and can access the specific applications they need without needing additional VPN configurations or complex network paths.

In essence, least privilege access with Cloudflare Access grants users a “just-in-time” permission to access specific resources, significantly improving security without sacrificing usability.

2. Continuous Authentication:

Continuous authentication is a critical pillar of Cloudflare Access’s ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) approach, offering a significant security advantage over traditional VPNs that rely solely on initial login credentials. Here’s a deeper dive into how Cloudflare Access implements continuous authentication:

Moving Beyond the Login Screen:

Traditional VPNs often operate under a “trust but verify once” model. Once a user successfully logs in with valid credentials, they’re granted full access to the network for a predetermined duration. This approach introduces a vulnerability window – if an attacker compromises a user’s credentials before the session expires, they can gain unfettered access to the network.

Cloudflare Access: Always on the Lookout

Cloudflare Access adopts a more vigilant stance through continuous authentication. This means it goes beyond verifying credentials at the initial login and actively checks user identity and device posture throughout the access session. Here are some methods Cloudflare Access might employ for continuous authentication:

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Prompts: At specific intervals or when attempting to access sensitive resources within an application, Cloudflare Access might require users to re-authenticate with an additional factor, like a one-time passcode or biometric verification.

• Context-Aware Access Control: Cloudflare Access can consider contextual factors like user location, device type, and application access history. If there’s a significant deviation from a user’s typical access patterns (e.g., accessing the application from an unknown location), it might trigger an MFA challenge.

• Device Posture Checks: Cloudflare Access can integrate with security tools to verify the health and security posture of the user’s device. If the device is infected with malware, or outdated software, or doesn’t meet security compliance standards, access might be restricted or require remediation before granting access.

Benefits of Continuous Authentication:

• Reduced Risk of Credential Compromise: Even if an attacker steals a user’s login credentials, the ongoing verification steps in Cloudflare Access make it significantly harder to maintain unauthorized access.

• Enhanced Security for Sensitive Resources: MFA prompts and context-aware access control add an extra layer of security for accessing critical applications and data within the network.

• Improved Threat Detection: By monitoring user behavior and device health, Cloudflare Access can identify suspicious activity that might indicate a compromised account or malware infection. This allows for faster response and mitigation of security threats.

Continuous Authentication in Action:

Imagine a user accessing a sensitive financial application on their work laptop.  Here’s how continuous authentication might work:

• Initial Login: The user logs in with their username and password.

• MFA Prompt: Cloudflare Access requires a one-time passcode sent to the user’s phone for accessing the financial application.

• Device Posture Check: In the background, Cloudflare Access verifies the user’s laptop is up-to-date with security patches and doesn’t show signs of malware infection.

• Continued Monitoring: Throughout the session, Cloudflare Access might periodically prompt for additional MFA verification, especially if the user attempts to access highly sensitive data within the application.

By continuously verifying user identity and device posture, Cloudflare Access significantly strengthens the security posture compared to traditional VPNs, offering a more dynamic and secure approach to access control.

3. Zero Trust for Every Device: 

Cloudflare Access adopts a Zero Trust philosophy, meaning it doesn’t inherently trust any device – regardless of location or ownership (corporate-issued or personal). Every device attempting to access an application needs to go through the same rigorous authentication and authorization process. Here’s how it works:

Location Independence: 

Whether a user connects from the corporate office, a coffee shop with public Wi-Fi, or their home network, Cloudflare Access enforces the same Zero Trust policies. This eliminates the security gaps that can arise when relying solely on perimeter security.

Device Agnostic: 

Cloudflare Access doesn’t discriminate based on the device type. It works seamlessly with corporate laptops, personal devices (phones, tablets), and even contractor or vendor machines. This flexibility caters to today’s mobile workforce.

Consistent Security Posture: 

By enforcing consistent Zero Trust policies across all devices, Cloudflare Access ensures a standardized level of security, regardless of the access point. This simplifies security management and reduces the risk of human error.

Benefits of Zero Trust for Every Device:

• Reduced Attack Surface: By eliminating implicit trust for any device, Cloudflare Access minimizes the potential damage if a compromised device attempts to access an application.

• Enhanced Security for Remote Workers: The Zero Trust approach ensures secure access for remote employees using personal devices or public Wi-Fi, which were previously considered riskier access points.

• Improved User Experience: Users can access authorized applications from any device with a seamless and secure experience, fostering greater mobility and productivity.

Zero Trust in Action:

Imagine a scenario where an employee needs to access a customer relationship management (CRM) application. Here’s how Zero Trust for Every Device comes into play:

• Corporate Laptop: When accessing the CRM application from their work laptop on the corporate network, the employee goes through the usual authentication process enforced by Cloudflare Access.

• Personal Phone: Later, while traveling, the employee needs to access the same CRM application on their personal phone. Cloudflare Access doesn’t automatically grant access based on being on the employee’s phone. Instead, it requires the employee to authenticate and potentially verify their device posture before granting access to the CRM application.

• Public Wi-Fi: If the employee needs to access the CRM application from a coffee shop with public Wi-Fi, Cloudflare Access implements the same security measures, ensuring a secure connection even on an untrusted network.

By enforcing Zero Trust for Every Device, Cloudflare Access eliminates the security blind spots associated with location and device type, providing a more comprehensive and adaptable security posture for today’s dynamic work environments.

Moving Beyond VPNs:

The recent Ivanti vulnerabilities serve as a stark reminder of the limitations of traditional VPNs. By adopting Cloudflare One and its ZTNA solution, Cloudflare Access, you can:

• Eliminate VPN vulnerabilities and the associated security risks.

• Enhance user experience with seamless and secure access to applications from any device, anywhere.

• Simplify network management with centralized control and automated access policies.

Ready to ditch the VPN and embrace Zero Trust?

Cloudflare One offers a free, 90-day trial of Cloudflare Zero Trust Enterprise, allowing you to experience the benefits of ZTNA firsthand. Additionally, our dedicated customer success team can guide you through the migration process, ensuring a smooth transition from VPN to a more secure future.

Don’t wait until another vulnerability emerges. Secure your organization with Cloudflare One today!