Replace legacy VPN with Zero Trust Network Access — delivering per-application, identity-verified, conditional access to private resources without putting users on the network. Designed and implemented by NetRing from architecture through go-live.
Microsoft Entra Private Access is the Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) component of Microsoft's Global Secure Access (GSA) platform — part of the Entra ID (Azure AD) identity fabric. It replaces traditional VPN by granting users access to specific private applications and resources rather than placing them on the corporate network.
Instead of connecting a device to the network and trusting everything on it, Entra Private Access enforces identity verification, device compliance, and Conditional Access policies at the per-application level — every time, for every connection. A compromised VPN credential can no longer unlock the entire network.
Private resources — whether on-premises servers, internal web apps, RDP endpoints, SSH hosts, or SMB shares — are accessed through the Global Secure Access client and forwarded via Private Network Connectors, all without opening inbound firewall ports or assigning split-tunnel routes.
| Concept | Traditional VPN | Entra Private Access |
|---|---|---|
| Access scope | Full network | Per-application |
| Auth model | Credential only | Identity + device + CA |
| Inbound firewall | Required (open ports) | No inbound ports |
| Lateral movement | Unrestricted once in | Blocked by design |
| MFA enforcement | Optional / bolt-on | Native, per-app |
| Device compliance | Rarely enforced | Intune / CA enforced |
| Split tunneling | Manual, complex | Per-app segments |
| Entra ID integration | None | Native |
Entra Private Access routes traffic through Microsoft's Global Secure Access edge — no inbound ports, no VPN concentrators, no on-prem firewall rules to maintain.
Access Request Flow — End User to Private Resource
GSA client installed (Windows / macOS / Android / iOS)
Identity + MFA + Conditional Access policy evaluation
Microsoft Global Secure Access cloud edge — 130+ PoPs
Private Network Connector — outbound only, on-prem or Azure
RDP, SSH, HTTPS, SMB, or any TCP/UDP resource
Lightweight client deployed to endpoints (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android). Intercepts traffic to defined private app segments and routes it through the GSA edge. Supports per-app tunneling — only private-access traffic is tunneled; internet traffic goes direct.
Deployed on-prem (Windows Server 2019+) or in Azure. Multiple connectors can form connector groups for high availability and geographic affinity. All connections are outbound — the connector initiates communication to Microsoft's GSA edge, requiring no inbound firewall exceptions.
Private resources are defined as IP ranges, FQDNs, or specific ports in the Entra admin center. Quick Access handles broad subnet access (gradual migration from VPN), while per-app segments provide precise application-level control with individual Conditional Access policies.
Every private app access request passes through Entra Conditional Access — enforcing MFA, Intune device compliance, sign-in risk thresholds, named location restrictions, and token protection. Access policies can differ per application segment, enabling fine-grained control.
A complete Entra Private Access implementation spans identity, networking, endpoint, and policy — we handle all of it.
The identity plane that drives all access decisions. NetRing configures your Entra ID tenant for EPA deployment including enterprise app registrations and service principals.
The Microsoft SSE (Security Service Edge) cloud fabric that carries private access traffic. NetRing licenses, enables, and configures the GSA tenant profile.
On-premises or Azure-hosted outbound relay agents. NetRing sizes, deploys, and groups connectors for HA and site-affinity across your locations.
The access scope definitions that replace route tables and split-tunnel VPN configs. NetRing designs and documents every segment.
The policy engine that enforces Zero Trust at every access attempt. NetRing designs a full CA policy stack aligned to your security requirements.
Endpoint deployment of the Global Secure Access client via Intune or Group Policy. NetRing handles rollout strategy, testing, and cutover.
Full audit trail of private access traffic, auth events, and connector health — routed to your SIEM or Microsoft Sentinel.
NetRing designs a phased migration path from legacy VPN to EPA — minimizing disruption while progressively hardening access.
NetRing follows a structured four-phase engagement for every Entra Private Access deployment — from whiteboard to production.
Architecture and policy design delivered as a written document before any changes are made to your environment.
Deployment in a non-production or pilot scope first — validated before any production cutover.
Security hardening and policy enforcement — moving from audit mode to enforced Zero Trust posture.
Ongoing management, monitoring, and lifecycle ownership — fully handed off to NetRing or supported in a co-managed model.
Entra Private Access has specific licensing and infrastructure prerequisites. NetRing will assess and resolve any gaps as part of the design phase.
Any scenario where users currently use VPN to reach a private resource is a candidate for Entra Private Access.
Replace VPN + RDP with per-app RDP segments — MFA-gated, no open 3389 to the internet.
Linux admin access to on-prem or cloud servers via EPA — no jump box, no VPN, Conditional Access enforced.
Intranet sites, ERP portals, and legacy internal HTTPS apps accessed from anywhere without VPN.
Mapped drive access to on-prem SMB shares — scoped to specific UNC paths and authenticated users.
Direct TCP access to SQL Server, Oracle, or PostgreSQL on specific ports for DBAs and developers.
Admin access to VMware vSphere Web Client and ESXi hosts — replace VPN prerequisite for vCenter.
Controlled, audited remote access to SCADA, HMI, and industrial control systems with full session logging.
Provision time-limited, app-scoped access to contractors and vendors — no VPN account provisioning required.
HIPAA-aligned remote access with full audit trail, MFA enforcement, and session logging for compliance.
Phased decommission of legacy VPN concentrators — migrate workloads to EPA segments over 60–90 days.