Universal ZTNA Definition

Universal ZTNA (zero-trust network access) refers to the tools, techniques, and policies used to establish zero-trust network principles regardless of where users are located—on-premise or remote, or what kind of network architecture you have. With ZTNA anywhere, you can secure access to your applications whether employees are in the office, on the road, or at home. As a result, everyone in your organization can benefit from a ZTNA-anywhere experience that keeps your network secure without complicating users' connections.

Zero trust refers to technologies and systems that presume every person, application, or network is a threat, and, until they prove otherwise, they can’t access your system. For example, if someone connects to a web application, leaves their computer for 10 minutes, then comes back, a zero-trust system may require them to verify their legitimacy before allowing them to work with the application again. Also, this can include multi-factor authentication and stringent identity authentication rules to ensure the connecting entity is legitimate.

ZTNA versus Universal ZTNA

ZTNA and Universal ZTNA are different in that Universal ZTNA enables connections regardless of the location of the network or user. A zero-trust architecture often works differently for different people, depending on where they’re located. And, at times, access to applications or networks may work from one location but fail from another. With Universal ZTNA, users can work from anywhere (WFA), and adminstrators can apply zero-trust principles without having to worry about connection complications.