7 Effective Steps for Implementing Zero Trust Network Access

According to Gartner^®, “Zero trust network access is now typically deployed to replace remote-access VPN, but overly complex policies are inhibiting adoption. Security and risk management leaders must adopt a continuous life cycle approach to remote-access management in order to achieve success.”

Key Findings:

• “Historical architectural behavior remains consistent amongst remote access buyers and this behavioral gap creates a challenge for zero trust network access (ZTNA) adoption. ZTNA is not a “fire and forget” technology; it is inherently dependent on a continuous iterative process, which requires the access policy to adjust as the business and risk levels change.”
• “Some end-user organizations have reported that they have completely replaced traditional VPN with a cloud-hosted ZTNA solution, but experienced challenges with policy development during the implementation.”
• “ZTNA might provide benefits over traditional VPN; however, its deployment should be in alignment with the business’ zero trust strategy, with the business leaders’ remote access requirements for its user base, and conducted using a risk-based methodology to optimize the organization’s security posture.”
• “In 2022, a strong interest and trend toward implementing zero trust strategies into the business environment has continued. Inquiries on this topic have grown 34% in the first 6 months of 2022, as compared with the same period in 2021.”

Gartner, 7 Effective Steps for Implementing Zero Trust Network Access, 3 October 2022, Dale Koeppen, Neil MacDonald, John Watts

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