The Great Return: Why ZTNA is Critical for Return-to-Office Mandates

Reinventing the Workforce: A New Hybrid Reality

Imagine this: it's Monday morning and employees are flowing back into the office after an extended period of remote work, some excited to reconnect with colleagues face-to-face, while others are apprehensive about readjusting to office life. Laptops click open, coffee brews, and conversations fill the air. But this isn't the same office they left behind. This vibrant environment—characterized by a diverse mix of devices connecting to cloud applications, flexible workspaces that shift from focused work to collaborative meetings, and the constant hum of data flowing between on-site servers and remote locations—presents a complex security challenge.

This return to work, reflecting a shift towards increased office presence seen in many Fortune 500 companies and a complete return for federal employees, marks a new era—a hybrid reality where on-site work blends with remote flexibility. This presents a unique set of security challenges as IT teams grapple with:

• Increased on-site device diversity: Employees are bringing their own devices (BYOD) into the office, alongside company-issued laptops, and potentially using shared workstations. This creates a complex ecosystem of devices with varying security postures.
• Blurred perimeters: The traditional network perimeter has dissolved. Employees expect seamless access to resources whether they're at their desk, in a conference room, or working from home.
• Evolving threat landscape: Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated. Organizations need to be prepared for threats that can originate both inside and outside the network.
• Demand for hybrid adaptability: Employees need secure and consistent access to resources regardless of their location, whether they're in the office, at home, or on the go. This requires a security solution that can adapt to the dynamic nature of hybrid work and provide a seamless experience across all environments.

ZTNA: Securing the Return to Office

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) offers a modern security approach that directly addresses these challenges. By verifying every user and device before granting access to resources, ZTNA provides:

• Enhanced on-site security: ZTNA ensures that only authorized individuals and devices can access sensitive data and applications within the office network. This mitigates the risks associated with BYOD policies and shared workstations.
• Consistent access control: ZTNA provides a consistent security experience regardless of where employees are working. This ensures that security policies are enforced consistently across the entire organization.
• Granular access management: ZTNA enables organizations to implement least privilege access, limiting users to only the resources they need to perform their jobs. This reduces the risk of lateral movement in case of a security breach.

Appgate: Your Partner in Secure Office Re-entry 

Appgate ZTNA isn't just another Zero Trust solution; it is a comprehensive platform built on a unique direct-routed architecture (and the principles of universal ZTNA). This means it goes beyond securing just user access to applications. It protects every connection point across your network, databases, and cloud resources, ensuring complete protection for your hybrid environment. Here's how Appgate ZTNA can help you secure your return to the office:

• Securely manage diverse devices: Appgate ZTNA provides granular control over device access. You can implement strong authentication policies, including multi-factor authentication and device posture checks, to ensure that only trusted devices connect to your network. This is crucial for managing the influx of BYOD devices and shared workstations in the modern office. Appgate's dynamic authorization policies adapt to each user's context, ensuring appropriate access based on factors like device type, location, and role.
• Gain visibility and control: Appgate ZTNA provides deep visibility into network activity and user behavior. With real-time monitoring and analytics, you can identify and respond to potential threats quickly. Appgate's centralized management console gives you a clear picture of who is accessing what, when, and from where, empowering you to proactively manage risk.
• Benefit from direct-routed architecture: Unlike cloud-routed ZTNA solutions that introduce latency and potential performance bottlenecks, Appgate ZTNA's direct-routed architecture provides a more efficient and secure way to connect users to the resources they need. This is particularly important in today's environment where security tools must empower the business, not create obstacles, or slow down business enablement.
• Simplified user experience for everyone: Appgate ZTNA provides a consistent and user-friendly experience for both IT teams and business users. Whether managing complex security policies or simply accessing work resources, Appgate streamlines the process for increased productivity. This is especially valuable in RTO scenarios where the same UX is maintained for both IT and business users regardless of location.
• Embrace universal ZTNA: Appgate ZTNA goes beyond traditional ZTNA by securing all connections including user-to-resource and resource-to-resource. This comprehensive approach provides complete protection for your entire network, ensuring that all your assets are secured, whether they're on-premises, in the cloud, or at the edge.

Appgate ZTNA empowers your organization to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace with confidence. By implementing Appgate, you can cultivate a secure and productive environment for your workforce, regardless of their location. Whether your employees are on-site, working remotely, or constantly on the move, Appgate ZTNA ensures seamless access to resources without compromising security.

The Future of Work is Zero Trust

The return to the office is not just about returning to the familiar; it's about embracing a new era of work. This era demands a security framework that is as dynamic and adaptable as the workforce itself. With Appgate ZTNA, you're not just securing your organization; you're empowering your employees to thrive in a hybrid world.

Discover the significant return on investment that universal ZTNA solutions provide—especially when compared to cloud-routed models. Download our ROI analysis whitepaper and take the first step toward a more secure, flexible future.