VPNs are out, ZTNA is in

Citrix Secure Private Access provides zero trust network access (ZTNA) to deliver, secure, and manage any application for any user on any device — both managed and unmanaged — on-premises and in the cloud. More secure than a virtual private network (VPN) for protecting corporate data, Citrix Secure Private Access is an ideal VPN replacement. If you use NetScaler Gateway as a VPN with the Secure Access Client, you can easily roll out ZTNA using the same client for a seamless migration with no impact to your workforce. And because Citrix Secure Private Access is included in the Citrix platform, you can quickly extend ZTNA to web and SaaS applications — for no extra cost.

VPN challenges

VPNs rely on a perimeter-based security model, which is less effective in today's distributed and cloud-based environments. As more resources move outside the traditional network perimeter, VPNs become less effective at protecting these resources, increasing the attack surface. ZTNA is superior to traditional VPNs for remote access security. Unlike VPNs, which grant broad access once a user is authenticated, ZTNA operates on a "never trust, always verify" principle. With ZTNA, access is continuously validated based on user identity and context, significantly reducing the attack surface.

How Citrix Secure Private Access solves VPN challenges

A comprehensive ZTNA solution, Citrix Secure Private Access provides secure, identity-aware access to applications and data in hybrid environments. It uses the zero trust principles of deny-by-default and least-privilege access to ensure that access is continuously verified and contextual, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

Compared to a VPN, Citrix Secure Private Access delivers more flexible connectivity and better security

Remote and hybrid work Liberate your workers from slow and glitchy VPNs with fast direct access to applications based on their identity BYOD programs Give your workers the freedom to use their personal devices (bring your own device, or BYOD) to securely access corporate resources in compliance with corporate security policies Hybrid environments Ensure consistent security policies for worker access to applications hosted across on-premises and cloud environments

What makes ZTNA with Citrix different

ZTNA does not need to be expensive or complex to implement. Because the Citrix platform is built with a zero trust architecture that protects all applications — not just VDI — there’s no need to buy additional point solutions to cobble together a ZTNA solution when you already have one. ZTNA with Citrix Secure Private Access provides:

Faster deployment

• For deployment flexibility, Citrix Secure Private Access is available as a cloud service (Citrix Secure Private Access service), on-premises (NetScaler Gateway), and as a hybrid deployment.
• Quickly secure managed and unmanaged devices in accordance with deny-by-default and least-privilege access principles that are built into the zero trust access architecture of Citrix VDI.
• The same Citrix Secure Access Client you already use makes it easy to switch from a VPN to ZTNA with Citrix Secure Private Access.
• If you use NetScaler as a VPN with the Citrix Secure Access Client, then implementing ZTNA is easy — simply turn on Citrix Secure Private Access on the NetScaler Gateway for on-premises deployments or connect to the Citrix Secure Private Access service for cloud deployments.

Easier management

• A single-vendor solution provides operational consistency for all application delivery, access security, and VDI needs.
• Use Citrix capabilities that you already have, like Citrix Director, for managing and monitoring secure access.
• Gain end-to-end observability with included Citrix uberAgent for faster troubleshooting and resolution.

Consistent security

• Citrix Secure Private Access enables consistent zero trust security by providing common identity, device posture, and security policies and integrations for virtualized, web, and client-server applications.
• Integrates with all third-party identity providers, including Cisco Duo, Ping, Entra ID, and Okta, to enable single sign-on (SSO) for all applications.
• Granular controls enforce consistent security policies across all users and devices to protect against compromised credentials or insider threats.
• Users get the same Citrix Workspace experience of accessing virtual applications and desktops but in a secure browser.
• Citrix Secure Private Access complements the secure web gateway (SWG) and cloud access security broker (CASB) capabilities of a security service edge (SSE) solution that you may already be using to secure external traffic.

Better end-user experience

• Users save time with SSO access to all of their applications — including web and SaaS applications as well as the applications they access through VDI — which are displayed in a single consolidated Citrix StoreFront.
• Users are more productive because they can conveniently access applications securely and quickly from any device or location without the frustration of slow and dropped VPN connections.