Considerations for Microsoft Entra Private Access

In the wave of announcements coming from Microsoft Ignite in November (with AI being front and center), news of Microsoft Entra Private Access got lost in the shuffle. Microsoft Entra Private Access reached General Availability (GA) on November 27, 2024. This solution is part of the Microsoft Entra Suite and provides a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) framework to securely connect users to private applications and resources.

Given the events at the tail end of 2024, I would recommend pushing this back to the forefront. As a reminder, there was a significant cyber-attack known as Salt Typhoon. This attack was attributed to Chinese state-sponsored hackers who infiltrated U.S. telecommunications companies. The attackers exploited vulnerabilities in remote support software to gain access to sensitive systems and data. This was significant enough for the FBI to issue a memo (guidance-mobile-communications-best-practices.pdf) calling on organizations and individuals to adopt phishing-resistant MFA and end-to-end encrypted communications, which raises the consideration of solutions such as Microsoft Entra Private Access.

What is Microsoft Entra Private Access?

In the constant evaluation of security and Zero Trust policies in the workplace, Microsoft Entra Private Access needs serious consideration.

For those unaware, Microsoft Entra Private Access functions as a secure alternative to traditional VPNs, enabling employees to access their company’s private applications and resources securely from anywhere.

💡 Key Features of Microsoft Entra Private Access:

• Based on Microsoft Entra AD Proxy technology.
• Uses Conditional Access signals to grant or restrict access.
• Supports phishing-resistant MFA, continuous evaluation, and Intune enrollment for compliance verification.
• Offers a secure, scalable alternative to VPNs for environments with a Microsoft-centric infrastructure.

For environments deeply integrated with Microsoft, this offering should be strongly considered.

How Microsoft Entra Private Access Works

The solution relies on connectors, which serve as secure termination points for connections, enabling users to access private applications and data safely.

🔹 Connector Deployment in Azure:

• Multiple connector instances can be deployed in different Azure regions.
• Available as an image in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace for easy deployment.

Key Considerations for Microsoft Entra Private Access

1. Compatibility with Microsoft Entra Services

Before deploying, organizations should be aware of Microsoft’s guidelines on connectors and their compatibility with other services.

🚨 Important Caveat:

• If you have deployed Microsoft Entra Password Protection Proxy, do not install Microsoft Entra Application Proxy and Microsoft Entra Password Protection Proxy on the same machine.
• These services install different versions of the Microsoft Entra Connect Agent Updater, which are incompatible when installed together.

2. Device Support & Limitations

At the time of this blog post, Microsoft Entra Private Access agents have the following status:

✅ General Availability (GA): Windows and Android
🟡 Preview: Other operating systems

Additionally, Windows devices must be Microsoft Entra Joined or Microsoft Entra Hybrid Joined. This means that external contractors looking for a non-VPN alternative may need to explore other options.

3. Microsoft Entra Private Access Pricing & Licensing

Unlike Microsoft Entra ID P1 and P2, which do not include this feature by default, organizations will need additional licensing.

💰 Pricing Considerations:

• Microsoft 365 E5 customers will need to factor in the additional cost.
• However, the long-term ROI makes this a cost-effective alternative to traditional VPN solutions.
• Microsoft Entra as an Identity Provider (IDP) enhances security by integrating with Zero Trust policies.

Microsoft Entra Private Access vs. Traditional VPNs

🔍 Why Consider Microsoft Entra Private Access Over a VPN?

✅ More Secure: Uses Conditional Access and phishing-resistant MFA.
✅ Better Performance: Reduces network latency and bottlenecks caused by VPNs.
✅ Seamless User Experience: Employees can access private applications without the need for a VPN client.

🚫 VPN Limitations:

• Higher latency due to traffic tunneling.
• More vulnerable to cyber threats due to shared credentials.
• Difficult to scale securely in cloud-based environments.

FAQs

1. What is Microsoft Entra?

Microsoft Entra is a cloud-based identity and access management solution that helps organizations manage security policies and user access across different environments.

2. How do I set up Microsoft Entra for a remote organization?

To configure Microsoft Entra ID for a remote workforce, follow these steps:

1. Enroll devices using Microsoft Intune.
2. Implement Conditional Access policies to define security requirements.
3. Enable Microsoft Entra Private Access for secure access to company resources.

3. What is the Microsoft Entra Admin Center?

The Microsoft Entra Admin Center is a centralized portal where administrators can manage:

• Identity protection
• Conditional access
• Authentication methods
• User permissions and roles

4. What is Global Secure Access?

Global Secure Access is a part of the Microsoft Entra Suite, providing Zero Trust security by enforcing strict identity and access controls across distributed networks.

Additional Considerations for Microsoft Entra Private Access

🔑 Microsoft Entra Connect & Synchronization

For organizations leveraging Microsoft Entra Private Access, Microsoft Entra Connect and Microsoft Entra Connect Sync play a crucial role in synchronizing identities across hybrid environments.

🛠️ Microsoft Entra Domain Services & Permissions Management

• Microsoft Entra Domain Services provides domain-based authentication for cloud applications.
• Microsoft Entra Permissions Management ensures users have appropriate access levels based on Zero Trust principles.

Final Thoughts

Given the rise in cyber threats, particularly incidents like Salt Typhoon, organizations using Microsoft cloud infrastructure should strongly consider Microsoft Entra Private Access as a secure, scalable replacement for traditional VPNs.

✅ Key Benefits Recap:
✔️ Enhanced security with Conditional Access & phishing-resistant MFA.
✔️ Cost-effective alternative to in-house VPN solutions.
✔️ Seamless access for employees across devices and locations.

However, this technology is still evolving, and organizations should carefully evaluate their device compatibility, licensing costs, and deployment requirements before making the switch.

💡 Looking for expert guidance on Microsoft Entra Private Access?
Contact the Rutter sales team today for consultation and implementation support.

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