Secure third-party access: Why HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA was built for this challenge

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The need for secure access for third parties and contractors has always been a thorn in the side of IT and security teams. Granting access to external users often meant opening wide the castle gates of your corporate network through a VPN, exposing sensitive resources, and increasing the attack surface.

This is where HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA steps in, offering a solution specifically designed to address the challenges of securing access for those outside your organization, without the burden of traditional VPNs.

Born to solve third-party Access: The agentless advantage

HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA was not born out of a desire to be a general-purpose Secure Access Service Edge (SSE) platform. It originated as a solution focused on a specific but critical need: secure, agentless access for third parties and contractors. This singular focus on a well-defined problem allowed the team to create an exceptionally elegant solution.

Traditional VPNs require the installation of software agents on user devices, introducing complexity for both IT teams and external users. Agent deployment can be a logistical nightmare, especially for short-term contractors or one-time vendors.

HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA eliminates this burden. Third parties simply authenticate and gain access to authorized applications, either through a portal or with their native client, all without needing to install any software. This streamlines the access process for everyone involved.

Beyond agentless: The power of granular control

While the agentless approach is a significant advantage, HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA goes beyond simple convenience. It offers granular control over access permissions, ensuring that third parties only have access to the specific resources they need to perform their tasks. This minimizes the potential damage if a third-party account is compromised.

Here's how HPE Networking Aruba ZTNA achieves this granular control:

• Application-Level Access: Unlike VPNs that grant access to the entire network, HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA provides access only to specific applications. This minimizes lateral movement within the network, further reducing the attack surface.
• Just-in-Time (JIT) Access: Access can be granted only when a third-party need it, and for a predefined duration. This eliminates the risk of unauthorized access due to forgotten or lingering VPN connections.
• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): An additional layer of security is provided by requiring MFA for all access attempts.

The power of context: Understanding the third-party landscape

HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA understands that the needs of third parties can vary greatly. A consultant performing maintenance on a critical system will require different access levels than a marketing agency working on a campaign. HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA allows you to create role-based access controls (RBAC) that tailor access permissions to the specific needs of each third-party type.

The evolution of a platform: The SSE advantage

While HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA started as a solution for third-party access, it evolved into a comprehensive SSE platform. The core agentless access functionality remains a cornerstone, but additional capabilities have been added to address the broader secure access needs of today's organizations. These include:

• Remote Enterprise Employee Access: HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA provides secure remote access for all enterprise employees, offering the same agentless convenience and granular access control for internal users but also adding an agent for the broader requirements of those enterprise users.
• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): The integrated CASB functionality allows you to discover and secure access to cloud applications used by your organization, both by employees and third parties.
• Secure Web Gateway (SWG): This security layer filters web traffic for potential threats, such as malware and phishing attacks. The SWG helps to protect your organization from web-based threats that could compromise sensitive data or systems.
• Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM): DEM helps you proactively identify and troubleshoot application performance issues for a smoother user experience. By monitoring application performance, you can ensure that your employees have a productive and frustration-free experience when accessing cloud applications.

The HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA advantage for third-party access

HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA offers several distinct advantages for securing access for third parties and contractors:

• Reduced complexity: The agentless approach eliminates the need for software deployment on third-party devices, streamlining the access process.
• Enhanced security: Granular access control, JIT access, and MFA minimize the attack surface and potential damage from compromised accounts.
• Improved user experience: The web-based portal and native client support offer a seamless and user-friendly experience for third parties.
• Scalability: HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA can easily scale to accommodate many third parties and contractors because of its cloud-based architecture.
• Reduced costs: The elimination of agent deployment and management reduces IT overhead and associated costs.

Conclusion: A tailored solution for modern access challenges

HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA was not built as a one-size-fits-all solution. It was designed from the ground up to address the specific challenges of securing access for third parties and contractors.

The agentless approach, granular control, and focus on user experience make it a powerful tool for IT teams looking to streamline secure access without compromising security. As your organization's needs evolve, HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA's comprehensive SSE capabilities ensure you have a future-proof solution for all your secure access needs.

Beyond HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA: A look at the ecosystem

HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA is not an island. It integrates seamlessly with the broader HPE Aruba Networking product portfolio, including network access control (NAC) solutions to help you on your path to Universal ZTNA. This integration allows for a comprehensive approach to security, leveraging network context to further strengthen your organization's security posture.

Taking the next step

• Visit the HPE Aruba Networking website: Learn more about HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA and its capabilities on our website,which offers detailed product information, white papers, and customer case studies.
• Contact a local HPE Aruba Networking representative: Our global network of partners and resellers can help you assess your needs and determine if HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA is the right solution for your organization.

By taking these steps, you can learn more about HPE Aruba Networking ZTNA and see how it can help you secure access for third parties and contractors, ultimately improving your overall security posture and peace of mind.