Everything you want to know about Fortinet ZTNA Zero Trust Network Access

In today’s world, cybersecurity is more important than ever before. With the rise of remote work and cloud-based services, traditional network security measures are no longer sufficient. That’s where Fortinet’s Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) comes in. In this blog, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about ZTNA and how it can help secure your network.

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According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, cybercrime is expected to cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025. ZTNA can help protect against the financial and reputational damage caused by cybercrime by providing a more comprehensive and effective approach to network security.

Fortinet Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a security model that assumes all devices, users, and applications are potentially compromised and should not be trusted by default. ZTNA works by verifying the identity and security posture of all users and devices attempting to access a network, and only granting access to authorized users and devices with the appropriate permissions.

In contrast to traditional network security models, which often rely on perimeter-based defenses such as firewalls and VPNs, ZTNA takes a more holistic approach to network security. It focuses on securing individual devices and applications, rather than the network as a whole.

Fortinet ZTNA works by creating an identity-based access control framework that verifies the identity and security posture of all users and devices attempting to access a network. This is done through a variety of techniques, including multi-factor authentication, device posture assessment, and continuous monitoring of network traffic.

Once a user or device has been verified, ZTNA uses a variety of access control policies to determine what resources they are authorized to access. These policies are based on a variety of factors, including the user’s role within the organization, the sensitivity of the data they are attempting to access, and the security posture of the device they are using.

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According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global Zero Trust security market is expected to grow from $19.6 billion in 2020 to $51.6 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 17.4%. This indicates the growing importance of Zero Trust security models, including ZTNA, in securing corporate networks

• Remote workforce: With the rise of remote work, organizations need a way to securely grant access to corporate resources from any device and location. ZTNA provides a secure, identity-based approach to remote access that can help protect against cyber threats.
• Third-party access: Many organizations rely on third-party vendors for various services, such as IT support or marketing. ZTNA can help ensure that only authorized third-party vendors have access to the resources they need, and that their access is continuously monitored and audited.
• Healthcare: Healthcare organizations must comply with strict data protection regulations, such as HIPAA. ZTNA can help ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive patient data, and that their access is continuously monitored and audited.
• Financial services: Financial institutions must comply with strict data protection regulations, such as PCI DSS. ZTNA can help ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive financial data, and that their access is continuously monitored and audited.
• Manufacturing: Manufacturing organizations must protect their intellectual property and trade secrets. ZTNA can help ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive data, such as product designs and manufacturing processes.  Not to mention CMMC compliance!
• Government: Government agencies must protect sensitive information, such as classified documents and national security information. ZTNA can help ensure that only authorized users have access to this information, and that their access is continuously monitored and audited.

There are several benefits to using ZTNA to secure your network. These include:

• Enhanced security: ZTNA provides a more granular and comprehensive approach to network security, which can help protect against a wide range of cyber threats.
• Simplified network management: ZTNA can help simplify network management by providing a centralized control point for access control policies.
• Improved user experience: By providing secure access to resources from any device and location, ZTNA can help improve the user experience and productivity.
• Increased flexibility: ZTNA can help organizations adapt to changing business requirements by providing a flexible and scalable security solution.
• Cost savings: ZTNA can help reduce costs by reducing the need for expensive hardware-based security solutions and simplifying network management.

Fortinet Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) work together to provide a comprehensive approach to network security.

SASE is a network architecture that combines networking and security functions into a cloud-based service. It provides secure access to resources from any device and location, while also ensuring that traffic is routed through the most optimal path. SASE is built on the principle of “security everywhere,” with security embedded throughout the network infrastructure.

ZTNA is a security framework that assumes that all devices and users, both inside and outside the network, are potentially untrustworthy. It provides a more proactive and preventative approach to network security, with secure access to resources based on identity and context, rather than network location.

When combined, SASE and ZTNA provide a powerful approach to network security that ensures secure access to resources from any device and location, while also minimizing the risk of data breaches and cyber attacks.

Here’s how they work together:

• Secure access: SASE provides secure access to resources from any device and location, while ZTNA ensures that only authorized users have access to those resources based on their identity and context.
• Visibility: SASE provides visibility into network traffic and user behavior, while ZTNA provides visibility into user identity and device posture. Together, they provide a more comprehensive view of the network, enabling faster response to potential threats.
• Threat detection: SASE provides threat detection and prevention capabilities, while ZTNA provides user behavior analysis and threat intelligence. Together, they provide a more proactive and preventative approach to network security.
• Compliance: SASE provides compliance controls, such as data loss prevention and encryption, while ZTNA provides access controls and continuous monitoring. Together, they help organizations comply with data protection regulations and industry standards.
• Simplified management: SASE and ZTNA can be managed through a single console, simplifying management and reducing the risk of security gaps.

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a powerful security model that can help protect your network against a wide range of cyber threats. By verifying the identity and security posture of all users and devices attempting to access a network, and only granting access to authorized users and devices with the appropriate permissions, ZTNA provides a more granular and comprehensive approach to network security. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, ZTNA can help you achieve a more secure and flexible network infrastructure.