Traditional VPNs are slow, difficult to manage, and pose a security risk. They provide blanket access to the corporate network, which allows attackers to move laterally as soon as they have gained access via VPN.
In this article, you'll learn how Microsoft Entra Private Access works, what advantages it offers over classic VPNs and how companies can optimize secure access to internal applications.
The most important things in brief
We are your partner for Entra Private Access — from set-up to operation.
1. What is Microsoft Entra Private Access?
Microsoft Entra Private Access is a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution and is part of Microsoft Global Secure Access. It provides secure, identity-based access to private corporate resources without sharing an entire network.
Instead, users only have access to the apps and resources they need based on identity, device, and location. The access rights are adjusted dynamically and depending on the context.
With Entra Private Access, companies can implement secure remote access without a VPN and improve their IT security standards.
2. How does Microsoft Entra Private Access work?
Microsoft Entra Private Access relies on the Zero Trust Principle and controls access specifically at the application level. Each connection is individually checked before access is granted.
The solution continuously analyzes user context, device status, and location to apply adaptive security policies. Instead of a blanket network connection, it provides direct access to authorized applications, reducing attack surfaces and increasing security.
Core principles of Entra Private Access
- Identity-based access:
Each connection attempt is checked against identity, device, and security policies. Only authorized users have access to specific applications — not the entire network.
- Dynamic access control:
Entra Private Access uses adaptive policiesthat adapt in real time. For example, access can be denied or restricted when a user comes from an unknown network or uses an unmanaged device.
- Direct app access without VPN:
Requests are routed through a cloud platform that analyses traffic, enforces policies, and blocks unauthorized access. This eliminates the need for a direct VPN connection to the company network.
- Seamless integration with Microsoft Entra ID:
Thanks to the close integration with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) Existing identities and security policies can be used directly. This enables single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added protection.
3. Benefits of Microsoft Entra Private Access
Microsoft Entra Private Access offers a secure and modern alternative to traditional VPNs by specifically restricting access to applications. The Zero Trust principle ensures that every connection is individually tested, which allows companies to significantly increase their IT security and efficiency.
Zero Trust security: access to authorized applications only
In contrast to VPNs, which provide blanket network access, Entra Private Access limits access to specific applications that the user needs. As a result, the internal network remains hidden, which significantly reduces the risk of lateral attacks. Even if an account is compromised, an attacker cannot access other systems.
No VPN dependency: cloud-native solution without complex infrastructure
VPNs require extensive On-premises infrastructure, which must be maintained and scaled. Entra Private Access, on the other hand, is completely cloud-based and requires no additional VPN gateways or physical appliances. As a result, companies save costs and administrative effort and at the same time avoid performance problems caused by overloaded VPN servers.
Adaptive access control: real-time analysis of user context and device status
With every access request, Entra Private Access assesses the user's context, including location, device, security status, and user behavior. If suspicious activity is detected, access can be automatically restricted or blocked. This increases security without users having to manually intervene.
Better performance: Direct app connections without VPN bottlenecks
VPNs route all traffic through central gateways, resulting in bottlenecks and latencies. Entra Private Access, on the other hand, enables direct connections between user and application via Microsoft's global network. This improves performance and usability, particularly for remote workers who work from different locations.
Easy management: integration with Microsoft Entra ID for centralized control
Close integration with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) allows existing security policies, single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to be used. IT teams can centrally control and manage access without having to configure separate VPN profiles or certificates.
High scalability: Flexible for hybrid and distributed teams
Because Entra Private Access is a cloud solution, it can easily be scaled for growing companies or hybrid work models. New users, devices, or applications can be quickly integrated without the need to expand physical VPN infrastructures.
With these benefits, Microsoft Entra Private Access provides more security, less complexity, and better performance — without the weak points of traditional VPNs.
4. Setting up Microsoft Entra Private Access
Microsoft Entra Private Access is implemented in several steps. Because the solution cloud-based is, there is no need for a complex on-premises infrastructure.
Step 1: Activate Global Secure Access
Before Entra Private Access can be used, you must Global Secure Access be activated in the Microsoft Entra portal. This allows you to manage Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) policies.
- Login to Microsoft Entra portal
- Navigate to Global Secure Access > Connectors
- Activate Entra Private Access
- Enable private network connectors.
Step 2: Set up the Private Network Connector
In order for internal business applications to be reached, a Private Network Connector be set up. This provides a secure connection between corporate infrastructure and Entra Private Access Here. It is recommended that you install GSA connectors on the dedicated server.
- Download and install the Private Network Connector Agents
- Linking to the Entra portal
- Configuring network and security policies
- Create (define) applications (resources) that need to be accessed.
Step 3: Configure Traffic Forwarding Policies
These guidelines define how and when traffic is routed through Entra Private Access.
- Preparation of Traffic forwarding profiles
- Assigning users and devices
- Activate the Risk and context recognition
Step 4: Assigning Permissions & Policies
For users to be able to access enterprise applications, appropriate access policies be defined.
- integration with Microsoft Entra ID for user administration
- configuration of Adaptive Access Controls
- activation of Single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Step 5: Installing the Global Secure Access Client
So that devices can use secure access, the Global Secure Access Client required.
- Deployed via Microsoft Intune or manual installation
- Linking to Microsoft Entra ID
- Test connectivity to enterprise applications
Once these steps are complete, users can Securely access private business applications — without a VPN.
5. Microsoft Entra Private Access versus VPNs
Traditional VPNs have long been the standard solution for remote access to corporate networks. But they pose significant security risks and performance issues.
Key differences between Entra Private Access and VPNs
Why is Microsoft Entra Private Access the better choice?
- Minimized attack surface: Users only have access to the applications they need, not the entire network.
- Better performance: Direct access to applications without delays through VPN tunnels.
- Less administrative effort: No physical VPN infrastructure, easy cloud management.
- Increased safety: Zero trust principle with identity and context verification.
Microsoft Entra Private Access provides more security, better scalability, and greater ease of use than traditional VPNs. Companies that want to modernize their IT infrastructure benefit from a more efficient and secure remote access solution.
6. Common use cases for Microsoft Entra Private Access
Microsoft Entra Private Access is suitable for various scenarios in which companies have a secure, flexible, and powerful access to private applications require.
Secure remote access for remote workers
Many companies rely on hybrid or fully remote teams. Instead of a VPN connection that grants full network access, Entra Private Access enables targeted access to individual applications — regardless of the employee's location.
Access legacy applications without exposure to the Internet
Older business applications that aren't designed for the Internet often need to be delivered via VPN. With Entra Private Access, these applications can be Provide securely and without a public IP address, so that there is no attack surface.
Protect sensitive data with granular access controls
companies with strict compliance and data protection requirements (e.g. financial service providers, healthcare) benefit from dynamic policies by Entra Private Access. Depends on Device status, user identity, and location can individual access restrictions be applied.
Secure connection for external partners and service providers
Instead of granting full VPN access to an external provider, companies can use Entra Private Access Precisely define and monitor access to specific resources.
Securing multi-cloud and hybrid environments
Companies that use various cloud services (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud) and on-premises servers can use Entra Private Access to centrally managed access to all environments implement — without complex VPN routing rules.
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7. Conclusion & future outlook
Microsoft Entra Private Access replaces traditional VPNs with a more flexible, secure and efficient solution for remote access to corporate applications. Instead of unrestricted network access, users get targeted permissions at application level, which minimizes security risks and simplifies management.
The benefits go beyond pure security aspects: Companies benefit from a cloud-based architecture, better performance, and lower operating costs. Since a complex VPN infrastructure is no longer required, you can hybrid work models and multi-cloud environments integrate easily.
Future developments in the areas AI-powered threat detection, automated access controls, and improved compliance features could further optimize Entra Private Access. Microsoft is committed to continuous development to give companies a even more dynamic and intelligent access solution to provide.
Since 2011, Thore has focused exclusively on endpoint management and endpoint security topics. Initially focused on software packaging and software distribution with Microsoft MECM/SCCM and Ivanti DSM, he is now a sought-after interlocutor when it comes to unified endpoint management, system hardening, patch management and endpoint protection. The focus is in particular on the Microsoft technologies Intune, Configuration Manager, Entra and Defender. Thore is co-founder of the “Endpoint Management” expert group at IAMCP e.V.
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