With over 25 years of executive federal government and commercial experience at both public and private companies, Mr. Taddeo is AppGate’s Chief Executive Officer and President. He previously served as AppGate’s CISO, directing global security operations, crisis management and business continuity processes, and oversaw AppGate’s federal government business, working closely with sales and technical leadership to define and deliver Zero Trust solutions to meet the needs of AppGate’s public sector customers.
Previously, Mr. Taddeo was the CISO and President of Cyxtera Federal Group. He is the former Special Agent in Charge of the Special Operations/Cyber Division of the FBI’s New York Office. In this role, he directed over 400 special agents and professional support personnel conducting cyber investigations, surveillance operations, information technology support and crisis management. Previous responsibilities focused on FBI international operations, including service as a Section Chief in the International Operations Division, where he managed operations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Mr. Taddeo received a B.S. in Applied Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After completing his studies, Taddeo served as a tank officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1994 he earned a J.D. from St. John’s University. Upon graduation, he joined the law firm of Mound Cotton Wollan & Greengrass LLP in New York, where he practiced in the field of civil litigation until entering on duty with the FBI. Mr. Taddeo is a member of the New York State Bar and a graduate of the CISO Executive Program at Carnegie Mellon University.
- **Nitin Pillai, Chief Technology Officer**With over 20 years of engineering expertise, Nitin has a proven track record in driving technical innovation. He held pivotal roles at industry leaders like Microsoft, where he developed anti-spam engines for Exchange and Outlook and led significant security projects, including building a real-time intrusion detection pipeline for the U.S. Department of Defense’s $10B JEDI contract. At Dataminr, he led the Core Platforms Engineering Division, helping scale the AI platform that identifies emerging risks from publicly available information. Most recently, as VP/Head of Engineering at Blackbird.AI, he played a key role in advancing their Generative AI platform to combat mis/disinformation and deep fakes.
Nitin also advises early-stage startups on AI and cybersecurity, offering valuable expertise as a Technical Advisor and Subject Matter Expert. He holds dual master’s degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Stony Brook University and Data Science & Machine Learning from UC Berkeley.
- **Jeremy M. Dale, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel**Previously, Mr. Dale was Associate General Counsel of Cyxtera Technologies, Inc., AppGate’s former parent company, from May 2017 to January 2020, and Associate General Counsel of 3Cinteractive from July 2014 to April 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Dale was a corporate and securities associate at Greenberg Traurig, LLP from September 2010 to June 2014. He received his B.S. in Finance, B.A. in Economics, and M.S. in Finance from the University of Florida, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia.
- **Eyal Radoszkowicz, Senior Vice President, Finance**Eyal brings more than 20 years of finance leadership experience in cybersecurity and fintech, with a track record of driving operational excellence and scalable growth. At AppGate, he leads financial strategy, planning, and performance management, aligning finance with business objectives. Previously, Eyal held senior finance roles at Confetti, Deep Instinct, American Express, and Deloitte, guiding financial operations through periods of rapid expansion and transformation. His expertise spans strategic planning, M&A, and go-to-market enablement.
Eyal holds a BA in Accounting and Finance and an MA in Political Science from Tel Aviv University.
- **Mark McCue, Senior Vice President, Sales**Mark joined Crypztone, the pre-cursor to AppGate, in 2014 to build and lead global sales prior to the creation of Cyxtera in 2017. At Cyxtera, he held senior sales positions focused on growing colocation across the technology and hyperscale industry and played a key role in the sales launch of Cyxtera's on-demand infrastructure product offering. Additional experience includes serving on the sales leadership team that grew Terremark's hosting, cloud and security business to a $1.4B acquisition by Verizon in 2011, then moving to Verizon Enterprise Solutions to help to integrate Terremark cloud and security sales into VES and scale that business.
Mark is a graduate of Boston College’s Wallace E. Carroll School of Management.
- **Paul Campaniello, Senior Vice President, Marketing**Paul originally joined Cryptzone, the pre-cursor to AppGate, in 2016 to build and lead global marketing prior to the creation of Cyxtera in 2017. At Cyxtera, he then held the position of Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing. Prior to rejoining AppGate in 2024, Paul served in senior marketing roles at companies including Zededa, LoginVSI, Mendix and Precise Software. Paul holds a BS and an MBA from Bentley University.
- **Sandra Lopez, Senior Vice President, Professional Services & Federal Programs**Sandra is a senior technology executive with over 40 years of experience across Leidos, SAIC, Engility, AT&T, and Telcordia Technologies, leading global organizations that support the U.S. Government, defense agencies and critical infrastructure providers in highly secure, mission-critical environments. She specializes in building and scaling professional services organizations that accelerate adoption of modern cybersecurity and Zero Trust architectures.
## 2. AppGate ZTNA Product Overview **AppGate Zero Trust Network Access** The only direct-routed ZTNA solution built for peak performance, superior protection, and seamless interoperability. ### The Benefits of AppGate ZTNA Direct-routed Universal ZTNA for all users, devices and workloads located anywhere on any network Strengthen Your Security Cloak all resources rendering your attack surface invisible and stop unsanctioned lateral movement with risk-informed least privilege access. Simplify Your Network Maintain full control of how your data and traffic is routed and transform your network with secure café-style connectivity. ### The Journey to Adaptive Zero Trust Security **Think big** - Direct-routed Zero Trust Network Access allows you to transform your network, retire legacy equipment and reach the ideal state of adaptive Zero Trust. **Start small** - Your ideal state won’t be built in a day. First tackle ZTNA use cases that will address immediate risk and prove value to the business. **Scale fast** - Rapidly deploy Universal ZTNA across your full environment to replace legacy tools and integrate with adjacent systems to continue to mature and automate access policies. ## 3. How AppGate ZTNA Works (Architecture Deep-Dive) ### How AppGate ZTNA Works Look under the hood of direct-routed AppGate ZTNA, the most flexible and adaptable Universal Zero Trust Network Access solution available today. #### Any User, Any Device - Unify policies for all remote, in-office and third-party providers - Concurrent access to any workload for enhanced user experience - Secure and contain any user or device with posture checking - Simplify and speed up user access management #### Policy Decision Engine - Verify and evaluate identity, context and risk as criteria for surgical access policies - Enforce principle of least privilege with microsegmentation - Make all resources invisible with single packet authorization - Robust API integrations put data to work and automate processes #### Any Resource, Any Workload - Unify access for IaaS, SaaS, microservices, private cloud and legacy resources - Dynamically secure access to your ever-changing cloud resource footprint - Apply the same Zero Trust access to service-to-services interaction - Protect legacy, cloud native and hybrid infrastructures from the same unified policy engine ### Deployment Models - **Cloud Hosted** -Not to be confused with cloud-routed, your controller is hosted in the Zero Trust platform cloud environment, but other appliances remain hosted in your controlled environment. - **Self Hosted** - All AppGate ZTNA appliances are deployed in your controlled environment and connected to the Zero Trust platform for value-add services. - **Isolated** - All AppGate ZTNA appliances are deployed in your controlled environment with no connection to the Zero Trust platform. ### Getting Started Step-By-Step No matter which deployment model works best for your organization, you can put AppGate ZTNA to work with these four primary steps. 1. Start Where Your Are - The AppGate ZTNA architecture is infrastructure agnostic and can be deployed anywhere resources need secure access. Deploy, monitor and maintain the ZTNA architecture via as a service or self-hosted models 2. Develop ZTNA Policies - Create the rules that control any device or user’s access from any location and to any enterprise resource in a unified policy engine that simplifies configuration and management. 3. Onboard Users - Easy onboarding and seamless user experience are key to user adoption and reducing help desk requests. Select from client- or browser-based access options for complete user population coverage. 4. Launch automation - Weave AppGate ZTNA into the fabric of your business and IT operations with bi-directional APIs that automate access. Extensive scripting capabilities give you the freedom to deploy security-as-code and mature DevOp practices. ### AppGate ZTNA FAQ - **What are the core components of the AppGate ZTNA infrastructure?**: We call this the AppGate ZTNA collective. The AppGate ZTNA architecture is infrastructure agnostic and can be deployed anywhere resources need secure access. The core component of AppGate ZTNA is the appliance. Appliances can be virtual or physical. Each appliance is configured to serve a role in the AppGate collective. The primary roles are Controller (the policy engine and decision point) and Gateway (the policy enforcement point). Additional optional roles are: Connector (alternate enforcement point that enables branch office and IoT/OT security), Portal (to enable clientless, browser-based access), Log Server (built in ELK stack for log aggregation and reporting), Log Forwarder (aggregates logs and forwards to an enterprise SIEM or syslog server). The AppGate ZTNA collective is designed for high availability, performance and linear scale for small to very large enterprise deployments. All appliances are delivered as a virtual machine at no cost and alternatively available as a physical device for an additional charge. - **What does AppGate ZTNA Controller do?**: The AppGate ZTNA Controller role is the brains of the collective and acts as the policy engine and policy decision point (PDP). It manages the authentication, policies, conditions and entitlements granting access for all users, devices and workloads from a single dashboard or via API. - **What does the AppGate ZTNA Gateway do?**: The AppGate ZTNA Gateway role acts as the policy enforcement point (PEP). Gateways control the flow of access to protected resources. It dynamically builds session-based microfirewalls or microperimeters based on granted entitlements that limit lateral movement and attack surface. - **What is single packet authorization (SPA)?**: We call this cloaking the infrastructure. Single packet authorization (SPA) uses proven cryptographic techniques to make internet-facing resources invisible to unauthorized users. SPA makes enterprise resources invisible and enables the AppGate ZTNA collective to distinguish authorized and unauthorized connection attempts, while only needing to evaluate a single network packet. Only devices that have been seeded with the cryptographic secret will be able to generate a valid SPA packet, and subsequently be able to establish a network connection. This in essence is how SPA reduces the attack surface and makes the infrastructure invisible to adversarial reconnaissance. - **How is connectivity between the user and gateway secured?**: Once an entitlement has been granted, all traffic from the client to the gateway travels across a secure, encrypted network tunnel. All access is logged through the LogServer, ensuring that there's a permanent, auditable record of the user access details. AppGate ZTNA leverages mTLS FIPS 140-2 compliant and third-party validated encryption on every connection to an authorized gateway - regardless of the user's location. - **What are microperimeters?**: AppGate ZTNA builds individual just-in-time session-based "micro" firewalls or 1-1 connections between users and the resources they are authorized to access behind a gateway. This small set of individualized rules can be processed near-instantaneously to deliver ultra-high performance connections and throughput. These microperimeters provide least privilege access and reduces the attack surface. - **Can AppGate ZTNA integrate with my existing security or business systems?**: Yes. As an open platform, AppGate ZTNA is based on REST APIs allowing for seamless integration with other security tools, including IAM, Directory Services, EDR and SIEM, as well as business and workflow systems like an ITSM. This allows security professionals to create a cohesive security ecosystem and to build security into business processes. - **Does AppGate ZTNA support both Up and Down rules?**: Yes. AppGate ZTNA supports both up and down rules. Many solutions work well in use cases that require user/device policies to connect to resources, also known as "up rules." However, most sophisticated security teams must support "down rules" that deal with interactions between a server, service, or resource "down" to the user device. Remote desktop support, centralized endpoint products (EPP/EDR/AV) and VoIP are good examples, where access control needs to flow in both directions. - **Does AppGate support access to on-premises and cloud resources?**: Yes. AppGate ZTNA is architected to protect private access across a complex hybrid IT environment including on-premises, in data centers, in one or more clouds (multi-cloud) or a combination of all three (i.e., a hybrid architecture) with a unified policy engine. - **Is AppGate ZTNA a VPN?**: No. Software-defined perimeter architectures are very different from VPNs. VPN has been traditionally used to provide remote workers with access to corporate resources, its only real security features are user authentication to the network. In comparison, AppGate ZTNA is fundamentally an identity-centric and security-driven solution, offering enhanced authentication and encryption while also adding other modern features that will increase security and reduce operational complexity. ### Direct-Routed vs. Cloud-Routed Zero Trust Access: What’s the Difference? **Direct-Routed ZTNA Advantages** AppGate's direct-routed ZTNA delivers fast, secure access without detours through a third-party cloud. By routing connections directly between users and resources, it ensures higher performance, stronger security, and greater control. This approach eliminates unnecessary bottlenecks and creates a foundation for scalable, identity-centric Zero Trust access. - Full control over your network traffic - Universal access control for all users, devices and workloads - Low-latency, high-availability direct access - Flexible deployment options for true Zero Trust architecture - Predictable pricing **Cloud-Routed ZTNA Disadvantages** Cloud-routed ZTNA forces all traffic through the vendor’s cloud, creating security, performance, and cost challenges. Indirect routing introduces latency, increases failure points, and adds hidden risks from multi-tenant environments. These limitations make it difficult to achieve the reliability, flexibility, and security needed for accessing critical resource. - Network traffic forced through vendor cloud - Network protocol and on-prem resource constraints - Throughput, scale, latency and hair-pinning limitations - Implicit trust of vendor multi-tenant cloud - Hidden or variable costs ## 4. Products & Solutions FAQ Technical answers to common questions about AppGate ZTNA architecture, deployment models, migration from VPN, and Zero Trust security strategy. ### Product Overview & Architecture - **What is AppGate ZTNA?** AppGate ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) is a security platform that provides adaptive, identity-based access to applications and resources without exposing the network. It enforces the principle of least privilege and continuous verification, protecting both on-prem and cloud environments. - **What is direct-routed ZTNA?** Direct-routed ZTNA is a deployment model where traffic from users or devices is routed directly to the protected applications without passing through a centralized cloud proxy. This reduces latency and avoids unnecessary hops while still enforcing zero-trust policies. - **How does AppGate differ from cloud-proxied ZTNA?** Unlike cloud-proxied ZTNA, where all traffic is sent through a public cloud for inspection, AppGate ZTNA's direct-routed model allows connections to flow directly to the target application while enforcing policy at the network edge. This improves performance, reduces exposure to cloud outages, and allows greater control over sensitive data. - **What components make up the AppGate architecture?** The AppGate ZTNA architecture is made up of several key components: Controller: Central management for policies, user access, and system configuration. Gateway(s): Securely enforce access to applications and resources. Client/Agent: Installed on user devices to establish secure connections and verify identity. Directory/Identity Connectors: Integrate with identity providers (like LDAP, Active Directory, or SSO) for authentication. Optional Application Connectors: Enable secure access to specific applications or cloud services. Learn more about the AppGate ZTNA architecture. - **Does AppGate require public cloud?** No, AppGate ZTNA does not require a public cloud. It can operate entirely on-premises or in hybrid environments. - **Can AppGate run fully on-prem?** Yes, AppGate ZTNA can be fully deployed on-premises, including all controllers and gateways, giving organizations complete control over their data and network traffic. - **Does AppGate require full mesh topology?** No, AppGate ZTNA does not require a full mesh. Its direct-routed architecture supports scalable, hub-and-spoke or hybrid topologies, reducing configuration complexity and network overhead. - **How does direct routing impact resilience?** Direct routing improves resilience by reducing dependence on a single cloud or intermediary. Traffic can continue to flow through alternate gateways if one fails, and performance remains stable because connections are direct rather than routed through a central cloud proxy. ### Migration & Transition from VPN - **Can AppGate coexist with existing VPN during migration?** Yes. AppGate ZTNA can operate alongside existing VPN infrastructure during migration. Because AppGate enforces identity-centric, application-specific access rather than network-wide connectivity, organizations can onboard selected applications, user groups, or third-party vendors without immediately decommissioning VPN. Its controller-based policy model allows entitlements to be defined and validated in parallel with legacy access methods. This phased coexistence approach reduces operational risk and enables controlled transition before full VPN retirement. - **What is the recommended rollout model for replacing VPN?** Organizations typically replace VPN using a phased migration strategy that prioritizes clearly defined access scenarios. AppGate ZTNA's direct-routed architecture enables teams to introduce application-level policies incrementally, starting with targeted user populations or high-risk systems. Policies are validated alongside existing VPN workflows, allowing gradual expansion of Zero Trust access while minimizing disruption. As more applications are transitioned to identity-based entitlements, reliance on network-wide VPN access can be systematically reduced. Learn more about VPN replacement. - **How do you migrate third-party access from VPN?** Third-party access migration begins by identifying vendors who require access to specific applications rather than full network connectivity. AppGate ZTNA replaces broad VPN tunnels with time-bound, least-privilege entitlements enforced through its controller-based policy engine. Because infrastructure is cloaked and connections are identity-bound, vendors are granted access only to explicitly authorized resources. This approach reduces exposure while maintaining operational continuity during migration. - **What is the first application to move to ZTNA?** Organizations often begin migration with externally exposed, high-risk, or administratively sensitive applications. Systems such as remote maintenance tools, administrative interfaces, or vendor-supported platforms benefit immediately from identity-defined, application-level segmentation. Selecting an application with a well-defined user base enables validation of policy models before broader rollout. This controlled starting point supports predictable expansion of Zero Trust enforcement. - **Can you deploy AppGate incrementally?** Yes. AppGate ZTNA supports incremental deployment because access policies are defined at the application level rather than through network rearchitecture. Its direct-routed gateways can be introduced selectively, and entitlements can be applied to specific users or workloads without disrupting existing infrastructure. This phased deployment model enables organizations to reduce risk progressively while maintaining business continuity. - **What breaks when you turn off VPN?** When VPN access is disabled, workflows that rely on broad network visibility must transition to explicit application entitlements. AppGate ZTNA replaces implicit network trust with identity-bound, policy-driven access paths, which may require mapping legacy access patterns to defined permissions. Proper access inventory and staged validation ensure required applications remain reachable while eliminating unnecessary network exposure. With careful planning, migration does not disrupt legitimate access but instead reduces attack surface and lateral movement risk. - **How does AppGate handle high-concurrency environments?** AppGate ZTNA is designed to support high-concurrency environments through distributed, direct-routed gateways that establish identity-bound connections directly between users and applications. Because traffic does not hairpin through a centralized cloud proxy, session load is distributed across deployed gateways. Capacity planning can be aligned with user density and application proximity, allowing horizontal scaling as concurrency increases. This architecture supports predictable performance as user volume grows. - **What is the scaling model for gateways?** AppGate ZTNA gateways scale horizontally by deploying additional enforcement points close to protected applications or user populations. The controller-based policy engine distributes entitlements, while gateways handle session establishment and encrypted traffic flow. Because access is application-specific and direct-routed, scaling can occur incrementally without redesigning the broader network. This model enables organizations to expand capacity in alignment with workload demand. - **How does ZTNA perform compared to VPN under load?** Compared to traditional VPN, ZTNA eliminates broad network tunneling and instead builds application-specific connections. In AppGate's direct-routed architecture, traffic flows directly between client and gateway without centralized proxy backhaul, reducing unnecessary routing overhead. Under load, this segmented, distributed model can provide more predictable resource utilization because only authorized application traffic is carried within each session. Performance outcomes depend on deployment design and capacity planning. - **Does encryption introduce measurable latency?** All secure remote access models rely on encryption, which introduces some processing overhead. AppGate ZTNA uses mutual TLS and identity-bound encrypted tunnels to secure sessions while maintaining direct routing between client and gateway. Because traffic does not traverse unnecessary intermediary inspection points, additional latency associated with centralized proxy architectures is avoided. Proper gateway placement and sizing ensure encryption overhead remains operationally manageable. - **Can AppGate ZTNA support global distributed workforces?** AppGate ZTNA supports global and distributed workforces by allowing gateways to be deployed regionally, close to users and applications. Its direct-routed architecture avoids mandatory global backhaul, enabling organizations to maintain regional traffic control and data sovereignty. Policies are centrally defined and enforced consistently across environments, including on-premises data centers and cloud regions. This distributed enforcement model supports performance consistency across geographic locations. - **What happens during controller failure?** In the event of controller disruption, existing authenticated sessions continue to operate based on previously issued entitlements until policy reevaluation is required. The controller is responsible for policy distribution and entitlement management, while gateways handle active session traffic. High availability design and redundancy planning for the controller tier ensure resilience. Proper deployment architecture minimizes service interruption during controller maintenance or unexpected failure. ### Economic & Cost Considerations - **Is ZTNA more expensive than VPN?** ZTNA is not inherently more expensive than VPN; total cost depends on deployment design, scale, and operational model. While VPN may appear lower cost from a licensing perspective, it often requires ongoing firewall management, network segmentation complexity, and broad infrastructure exposure. AppGate ZTNA replaces network-wide access with identity-centric, application-specific entitlements, which can reduce operational overhead and security risk. Total cost of ownership should be evaluated across infrastructure, risk exposure, administrative effort, and scalability rather than license comparison alone. - **What costs are eliminated when replacing VPN?** Replacing VPN can reduce costs associated with maintaining broad network access controls, complex firewall rule sets, and overprovisioned segmentation architectures. Because AppGate ZTNA enforces least-privilege access at the application level, organizations may simplify network policy management and reduce reliance on large-scale perimeter configurations. Over time, this can decrease administrative workload, infrastructure sprawl, and risk-related remediation costs. Cost impact varies based on existing architecture and migration strategy. - **Does ZTNA reduce firewall dependency?** ZTNA can reduce reliance on firewall-based segmentation for user access control by shifting enforcement to identity-defined policies. AppGate ZTNA's controller-based architecture applies application-level entitlements without requiring users to be placed on the network, which can simplify firewall rule management. Firewalls continue to play an important role in network protection, but user access enforcement can be decoupled from complex IP-based controls. This may reduce the operational burden associated with maintaining large rule sets. - **Can AppGate ZTNA reduce MPLS costs?** AppGate ZTNA's direct-routed architecture allows traffic to flow directly between client and gateway without mandatory centralized inspection backhaul. In some environments, this can support migration away from rigid MPLS-dependent access models toward more flexible internet-based connectivity, provided performance and security requirements are met. Cost impact depends on existing WAN design and organizational policy. Network modernization strategies should be evaluated holistically before infrastructure changes are made. - **What infrastructure can be retired?** As VPN reliance decreases, organizations may be able to retire legacy concentrators, reduce complex firewall access rules, and simplify network segmentation built primarily for remote access. AppGate ZTNA's identity-centric access model can reduce the need for maintaining broad remote-access network zones. Infrastructure retirement decisions depend on architecture, compliance requirements, and redundancy planning. A phased evaluation approach ensures operational continuity during consolidation. ### Governance & Operations - **Who owns ZTNA inside the organization?** Ownership of ZTNA typically resides within the security organization, often in collaboration with network and identity teams. Because AppGate ZTNA enforces identity-centric, policy-driven access rather than traditional network routing, governance responsibilities frequently align with security architecture or Zero Trust programs. Role-based administrative controls allow organizations to delegate policy management, gateway operations, and auditing responsibilities across teams. Clear operational ownership models help ensure consistent policy enforcement and oversight. - **How are policies managed at scale?** Policies in AppGate ZTNA are centrally defined within a controller-based policy engine and distributed to enforcement gateways. Access decisions are based on user identity, device posture, and contextual attributes rather than static network rules. At scale, policies can be structured using logical groupings, reusable conditions, and role-based entitlements to reduce duplication and complexity. This centralized yet distributed enforcement model supports consistent governance across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. - **Can security teams audit access history?** Yes. AppGate ZTNA provides detailed session visibility and access logs that allow security teams to review who accessed which applications and when. Because access is application-specific and identity-bound, audit records reflect granular entitlement usage rather than broad network connectivity. Logs can be exported or integrated with external monitoring platforms to support compliance reporting and security investigations. This visibility supports governance and regulatory requirements. - **How is least privilege reviewed over time?** Least-privilege enforcement is maintained by defining explicit application entitlements tied to user roles and contextual conditions. Organizations can periodically review entitlement definitions, user-role mappings, and policy conditions to ensure access remains aligned with operational requirements. Because AppGate does not place users on the network, access scope is inherently constrained to authorized applications. Regular policy audits and entitlement reviews help prevent privilege accumulation over time. - **What logging is available?** AppGate ZTNA generates logs related to authentication events, session establishment, entitlement evaluation, and connection activity. These records capture identity, device posture status, and application-level access details. Logging capabilities support compliance, operational monitoring, and forensic analysis. Integration with centralized logging platforms enables long-term retention and correlation with other security telemetry. - **How does AppGate integrate into SOC workflows?** AppGate ZTNA integrates with security operations workflows by exporting logs and access events to SIEM, SOC monitoring, and analytics platforms. Because access decisions are policy-driven and identity-based, events can be correlated with broader identity and endpoint telemetry. This integration enables security teams to monitor unusual access behavior, investigate incidents, and validate policy enforcement. Alignment with existing monitoring infrastructure supports operational continuity. ### Security & Risk Reduction - **How does ZTNA limit ransomware blast radius?** ZTNA limits ransomware blast radius by replacing broad network access with identity-bound, application-specific connections. AppGate ZTNA does not place users on the network; instead, access is restricted to explicitly authorized applications through least-privilege entitlements. Because infrastructure remains cloaked and lateral network visibility is minimized, compromised endpoints cannot freely scan or pivot across internal systems. This segmented, identity-centric model reduces the ability of ransomware to propagate beyond the initially accessed resource. - **What happens if credentials are compromised?** If credentials are compromised, access remains constrained by policy-defined entitlements and contextual evaluation. AppGate ZTNA enforces identity verification, device posture checks, and application-specific permissions before establishing connections. Compromised credentials alone do not grant network-wide access, and additional contextual controls may restrict session establishment. Rapid policy updates and session termination capabilities further limit exposure in credential misuse scenarios. - **Can sessions be revoked in real time?** Yes. Active sessions can be terminated by updating or revoking entitlements through the controller-based policy engine. Because access is continuously governed by policy, changes to user status, device posture, or risk signals can invalidate access conditions. Gateways enforce these updated policies, allowing organizations to respond quickly during suspected compromise or incident containment activities. - **How does AppGate support forensic investigations?** AppGate ZTNA supports forensic investigations by generating detailed logs of authentication events, entitlement evaluations, and application-specific session activity. Because access is granular and identity-bound, audit records reflect precise resource access rather than generalized network connectivity. These logs can be exported to SIEM and forensic platforms for correlation with endpoint, identity, and network telemetry. This visibility assists in incident reconstruction and compliance reporting. - **What visibility exists for lateral movement attempts?** Because users are not granted network-level visibility, traditional lateral movement techniques such as internal scanning or pivoting are inherently constrained. AppGate ZTNA logs connection attempts and entitlement evaluations, providing visibility into authorized and denied access events. Security teams can monitor unusual access patterns through integrated logging platforms. This model reduces lateral movement opportunity while improving detection visibility for abnormal access behavior. ### Deployment Models & Topologies - **Can AppGate run fully on-prem?** Yes. AppGate ZTNA can be deployed fully on-premises. Controllers and gateways can be installed within private data centers without requiring a vendor-managed cloud service. Because enforcement is handled by customer-controlled gateways and policies are defined within the controller, organizations retain architectural control over placement and routing. This supports environments with strict regulatory, defense, or operational constraints. - **Can AppGate ZTNA be deployed in sovereign regions only?** Yes. AppGate ZTNA can be deployed within specific sovereign regions by placing controllers and gateways inside designated geographic boundaries. Its direct-routed architecture allows traffic to remain within defined jurisdictions rather than being backhauled through centralized global proxy networks. This supports regulatory requirements related to data residency, regional routing control, and national infrastructure policies. - **Can it operate without public cloud dependencies?** AppGate ZTNA does not require mandatory public cloud dependencies to operate. Controllers and gateways can be deployed in on-premises, private cloud, or isolated environments depending on architectural requirements. Because traffic flows directly between client and gateway, no centralized cloud inspection service is required for enforcement. Deployment models can be aligned with organizational infrastructure strategy. - **How are gateways placed in multi-region environments?** In multi-region environments, gateways are typically placed close to protected applications or user populations to reduce latency and improve performance. The controller distributes policies centrally, while gateways enforce access locally within each region. This distributed enforcement model allows organizations to scale geographically without introducing centralized traffic bottlenecks. Placement strategy depends on workload location, user distribution, and redundancy planning. - **Can it support Kubernetes-native workloads?** Yes. AppGate ZTNA supports deployment models compatible with Kubernetes and cloud-native environments. Containerized gateways can be deployed close to workloads running in Kubernetes clusters or cloud platforms, enabling policy enforcement at the application boundary. This supports dynamic scaling and modern DevOps workflows while maintaining identity-based, application-specific access controls. - **Does AppGate require a full mesh topology?** No. AppGate ZTNA does not require a full mesh topology between all environments. Because access is policy-driven and direct-routed between client and gateway, connectivity is established only when entitlements are satisfied. Organizations can deploy gateways selectively based on application location and user distribution rather than maintaining persistent inter-site tunnels. This reduces architectural complexity compared to traditional network mesh models. ### Identity & Device Integration - **Which identity providers does AppGate support?** AppGate ZTNA supports integration with standards-based identity providers that use protocols such as SAML and OpenID Connect for authentication and identity federation. Because access decisions are identity-centric and policy-driven, AppGate relies on trusted identity sources to validate users before establishing application-specific connections. Integration is designed to align with enterprise identity strategies rather than replace existing identity infrastructure. Supported providers depend on deployment configuration and standards compatibility. - **Does AppGate integrate with Azure AD / Okta?** Yes. AppGate ZTNA integrates with enterprise identity platforms such as Azure Active Directory, Okta, and Ping through standards-based federation protocols. Authentication is performed by the configured identity provider, while AppGate's controller-based policy engine evaluates entitlements and contextual conditions before granting access. This separation allows organizations to maintain their existing identity architecture while enforcing application-level Zero Trust access controls. - **Can device posture be sourced from EDR?** Device posture can be incorporated into access decisions depending on deployment configuration and available integrations. AppGate ZTNA evaluates device attributes as part of its policy model, and posture signals may be sourced directly from the endpoint or integrated security tooling where supported. Access policies can require compliant device status before establishing application-specific connections. Integration details depend on architecture and endpoint management strategy. - **Does AppGate require an endpoint agent?** AppGate ZTNA deployments may utilize an endpoint component to establish identity-bound encrypted tunnels and enforce application-specific access. The endpoint client facilitates secure session establishment and contextual evaluation. Deployment models can vary based on access method and environment. Architectural requirements should be evaluated against organizational security and operational constraints. - **Is agentless access supported?** Agentless access options may be available for certain use cases depending on deployment design and application requirements. In scenarios where full tunnel establishment is not required, browser-based or proxy-style access methods may be configured. The appropriate access model depends on security policy, device control requirements, and user workflow. Organizations should evaluate agent and agentless approaches based on risk tolerance and operational needs. - **How does AppGate integrate with SIEM?** AppGate ZTNA integrates with SIEM and monitoring platforms by exporting authentication events, entitlement evaluations, and session logs for centralized analysis. Because access decisions are identity-based and application-specific, event data can be correlated with identity, endpoint, and network telemetry. This integration supports security monitoring, anomaly detection, and compliance reporting workflows. Log export and ingestion methods depend on the organization's security operations architecture. ### Air Gapped, DDIL & Intermittent Environments - **How does AppGate operate in intermittent connectivity environments?** In intermittent connectivity environments, AppGate ZTNA enforces access locally at the gateway once entitlements have been issued by the controller. Because traffic is direct-routed between client and gateway, session traffic does not require continuous communication with a centralized cloud proxy. Policy distribution occurs through the controller, while gateways handle active session enforcement. Deployment design and redundancy planning determine resilience during degraded network conditions. - **Can policies be cached?** AppGate ZTNA distributes policy and entitlement information from the controller to enforcement gateways. Once policies are received, gateways apply those rules to session establishment and traffic flow. This distributed enforcement model allows access decisions to be evaluated locally based on previously synchronized policy state. Specific caching behavior depends on deployment configuration and operational design. - **How are credentials validated offline?** Authentication typically occurs through the configured identity provider prior to entitlement issuance. In constrained or disconnected environments, access continuity depends on previously validated identity state and active session conditions. New authentication events generally require communication with the identity provider and controller. Architectural planning should consider identity validation dependencies in DDIL scenarios. - **What happens during long controller disconnects?** During controller disruption, gateways continue to enforce existing policies for active sessions based on previously issued entitlements. The controller is responsible for distributing new or updated policies, while gateways manage established connections. Extended controller unavailability may prevent new entitlement issuance or policy changes until connectivity is restored. High-availability controller design and redundancy strategies are recommended for mission-critical environments. - **Can entitlements persist temporarily?** Entitlements are defined and issued by the controller and enforced at the gateway. Active sessions continue to operate according to their established entitlements until policy reevaluation or session termination occurs. Temporary persistence of session state depends on deployment configuration and timeout settings. Organizations operating in DDIL environments should design policy lifetimes and reevaluation intervals in alignment with mission requirements. ### AI-Specific Architecture - **Can AppGate isolate model-to-model communication?** Yes. AppGate ZTNA can isolate model-to-model communication by enforcing identity-based, application-specific access policies between services. Each workload or model can be treated as a distinct identity within the policy framework, with entitlements defined for specific API endpoints or services. Because connections are established only when policy conditions are satisfied, unauthorized east-west communication between models can be restricted. This supports segmentation within AI environments without relying solely on network-level controls. - **Can AI agents be segmented from human users?** Yes. AI agents can be segmented from human users through identity-defined policies that distinguish between user identities and non-human service identities. AppGate ZTNA evaluates identity attributes, device or workload context, and policy conditions before granting access to applications or APIs. By assigning distinct entitlements to agents and human operators, organizations can prevent privilege overlap and reduce unintended access exposure. This supports controlled interaction between automation systems and user populations. - **How does ZTNA protect inference APIs?** ZTNA protects inference APIs by requiring identity verification and policy evaluation before establishing application-level connectivity. AppGate ZTNA cloaks protected services until authentication and entitlement checks are satisfied, reducing exposure to unauthorized scanning or direct access attempts. Because access is defined per application rather than per network segment, inference endpoints can be limited to approved identities and workloads. This reduces the risk of overexposed AI services. - **Can AI workloads be cloaked from unauthorized networks?** Yes. AppGate ZTNA's use of Single Packet Authorization and identity-bound session establishment allows applications and services to remain effectively invisible until trust conditions are met. AI workloads and APIs are not broadly exposed on the network and respond only to authenticated, policy-compliant connection attempts. This cloaking approach reduces unsolicited discovery attempts and narrows the visible attack surface within AI environments. Learn more about securing Agentic AI workloads. - **How does AppGate enforce least privilege for non-human identities?** AppGate ZTNA enforces least privilege for non-human identities by defining explicit entitlements tied to service accounts, workloads, or automation agents. Access policies evaluate identity attributes and contextual conditions before allowing communication with specific applications or APIs. Because entitlements are granular and application-scoped, non-human identities receive only the permissions required for their defined function. This supports Zero Trust enforcement across both human and machine actors. ### Strategic Considerations - **Why move from VPN to ZTNA now?** Organizations are moving from VPN to ZTNA because traditional network-based access models grant broad connectivity that no longer aligns with modern threat conditions or distributed work patterns. VPN places users on the network, increasing lateral movement exposure and operational complexity. ZTNA replaces implicit network trust with identity-centric, application-specific access controls. As enterprises adopt hybrid work, cloud infrastructure, and third-party collaboration, granular Zero Trust access becomes more aligned with risk management objectives. - **What business risks does ZTNA reduce?** ZTNA reduces business risk by limiting unnecessary network exposure, constraining lateral movement, and enforcing least-privilege access at the application level. By replacing broad connectivity with identity-bound entitlements, organizations reduce the potential impact of credential compromise and ransomware propagation. This model supports stronger governance, auditability, and compliance alignment. Reduced attack surface and improved visibility contribute to operational resilience. - **How does direct-routed architecture impact resilience?** Direct-routed architecture supports resilience by avoiding mandatory centralized traffic backhaul through external proxy infrastructure. AppGate ZTNA's deployment model allows enforcement gateways to be placed close to applications and users, reducing dependency on single inspection hubs. Distributed policy enforcement can improve performance predictability and reduce architectural bottlenecks. Resilience outcomes depend on redundancy design and deployment planning. - **What is the strategic difference between SASE and ZTNA?** SASE is a broad framework that combines networking and security services, while ZTNA focuses specifically on identity-centric access to applications. ZTNA can be deployed independently or as part of a broader architecture strategy. The strategic distinction lies in whether an organization prioritizes application-level Zero Trust enforcement as a standalone control layer or consumes access as one component of a bundled service. Architectural decisions depend on control requirements, sovereignty needs, and operational design preferences. - **Why choose AppGate over bundled SASE vendors?** An enterprise may choose AppGate ZTNA over bundled SASE offerings when it requires direct control over access enforcement, data routing, and deployment topology. AppGate's direct-routed, controller-based architecture allows organizations to place gateways within their own environments rather than relying solely on vendor-managed cloud proxies. This can support data sovereignty, performance control, and architectural flexibility. Selection criteria should align with risk tolerance, regulatory constraints, and infrastructure strategy. ## 5. AppGate Risk Sentinel AppGate’s Risk Sentinel helps you enhance access policies with real-time risk insights from your existing IT, security and business tools—without the cost or complexity of custom integrations. ### Benefits of AppGate’s Risk Sentinel AppGate’s Risk Sentinel (formerly Risk Engine) delivers continuous, context-aware analysis that informs adaptive, least-privilege access. - Integrated Security Posture Insights: Leverages data from third-party IT, security and business solutions to enhance access policies. - Frictionless Integrations: Eliminates the need for custom API scripting with built-in connectors and a click-to-configure interface - Adaptive Access Controls: Dynamically adjusts entitlements based on contextual risk signals, minimizing static, over-permissive access. - Reduced Risk Exposure: Identifies anomalies and blocks high-risk activity before it reaches sensitive applications. - Optimized User Experience: Ensures trusted users maintain seamless access, while risky behavior triggers step-up security. ### Dynamic Risk Intelligence AppGate’s Risk Sentinel continuously collects and analyzes contextual signals—spanning users, devices, networks, and integrated security tools—to calculate dynamic risk scores and refine Zero Trust access in real time. - Context-Aware Decisions: Incorporates posture data such as device compliance, patch level, user behavior, geolocation, and IP reputation. - Third-Party Enrichment: Natively integrates with leading endpoint, identity and security tools to extend intelligence without complex scripting. - Real-Time Scoring: Continuously updates risk scores to reflect changing conditions. - Adaptive Enforcement: Automatically enforces appropriate controls—from access approval to step-up verification to denial—based on calculated risk. - Zero Trust Alignment: Reinforces least-privilege principles by ensuring access decisions reflect real-time posture, not static entitlements. ### How It Works AppGate’s Risk Sentinel acts as an adaptive policy brain for ZTNA. It ingests posture data from your existing security stack, calculates dynamic risk scores and applies context-aware access controls in real time. Our service emphasizes the following key elements: - Continuous Context Monitoring: Evaluates signals including device posture, OS version, user behavior, and threat intelligence. - Seamless Integrations: Leverages built-in connectors to leading security tools with no custom coding required. - Granular Risk Scoring: Assigns dynamic scores to every session, adapting continuously as conditions shift. - Adaptive Policy Enforcement: Automates access decisions, such as grant, restrict, or block, based on risk thresholds. - Operational Efficiency: Reduces manual interventions and accelerates deployment with a click-to-configure interface. ## 6. Application Discovery Move beyond legacy access models with a smarter, faster way to discover application usage and enforce precise, least-privilege access controls. ### Benefits of AppGate’s Application Discovery Service As a foundational, value-added service to your AppGate ZTNA instance, the Application Discovery Service provides insights into application access, enabling efficient enforcement of least-privilege access. - Faster Deployment:Expedites Zero Trust adoption by automating entitlement refinement. - Reduced Risk:Minimizes unauthorized access by enforcing application-specific access controls. - Improved Operational Efficiency:Eliminates manual discovery processes, saving significant IT and security team resources. - Increased Compliance Readiness:Provides detailed visibility into access patterns, supporting regulatory frameworks like NIST 800-207 and GDPR. - Seamless User Experience:Maintains uninterrupted access for users while security teams refine entitlements in the background. - Business people having a meeting in conference room ### Deep Discovery Capabilities Our service evaluates user access patterns across your environment, identifying which applications are being accessed, by whom, and how, enabling precise entitlement configurations that get you closer to true Zero Trust. - Safety and Confidentiality: We handle your access data securely, providing timely insights and maintaining consistent standards to ensure your trust. - Tailored Entitlement Development: We generate refined access policies aligned with least-privilege principles, customized to your specific application environment. - Zero Trust Alignment: We operate on the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users only have access to the applications they need. This approach aligns with a modern Zero Trust architecture and minimizes unnecessary exposure. - Actionable Intelligence: We deliver clear, detailed recommendations for refining access entitlements, enabling you to proactively strengthen your Zero Trust posture. - Proven Expertise: AppGate is a leader in Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solutions, safeguarding enterprises and government agencies worldwide. ### How It Works AppGate's Application Discovery Service analyzes network connection requests, categorizes access patterns, and generates precise, least-privilege entitlements that administrators can review and apply. Our service emphasizes the following key elements: - Automated Application Discovery - Leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to identify user access patterns by analyzing host, port, and protocol data. - Intelligent Entitlement Generation - Suggests refined access policies to enforce least-privilege principles. - Seamless Transition to Zero Trust- Simplifies the migration from broad entitlements to application-specific access controls. - Operational Efficiency - Eliminates manual audit log reviews, freeing IT and security teams for strategic initiatives. - Enhanced Security and Compliance - Reduces unnecessary access to improve security posture and meet regulatory requirements. --- ## 7. Solutions by Use Case ### Secure Remote Access Secure, seamless access for users to business-critical applications and services, anywhere, without exposing your network. #### Secure Access for Modern Hybrid Workforces Traditional VPNs and perimeter-based security tools create unnecessary risk by granting broad network access, enabling lateral movement, data leakage, and compliance gaps. AppGate ZTNA secures hybrid IT environments by applying Zero Trust principles at the user and service level, ensuring only authorized individuals on approved devices can access specific services. This approach reduces the attack surface, enforces least-privilege access, and delivers high-performance, direct connections without routing traffic through cloud chokepoints. - Direct-Routed ZTNA: Low-latency, highly performant connections without backhauling traffic through the cloud. - Cloaked Infrastructure: Services remain invisible until users are authenticated and authorized. - Identity-Centric Access: Access is granted based on user, device, and context, not network location. - Adaptive Risk Enforcement: Policies dynamically adjust based on user context device posture, and threat intelligence. #### How it Works AppGate ZTNA dynamically enforces secure access by verifying users and continuously evaluating context before granting service access. **User Authentication** Users authenticate through secure identity providers; multiple providers are supported for flexibility. **Contextual Access Evaluation** The system evaluates user context, including device posture, location, and more. **Dynamic Policy Enforcement** Access policies are enforced in real-time, ensuring users access only entitled services. **Continuous Monitoring** Activity is continuously monitored, and access controls adapt to emerging risks. #### Implementation Steps AppGate ZTNA makes it easy to secure user-to-service access by quickly configuring identity providers, defining policies, and deploying clients without disrupting operations. 1. Configure Identity Providers - Integrate your preferred identity providers into AppGate ZTNA. 2. Define Access Policies - Create and customize policies aligned with organizational security requirements. 3. Deploy User Clients - Ensure all users have the necessary AppGate ZTNA client installed on their devices. 4. Monitor and Adjust - Use monitoring tools to track activity and adjust policies to maintain security and compliance. #### Benefits and Outcomes Implementing AppGate ZTNA delivers measurable security, operational, and user experience improvements across your organization. - Reduces attack surface by limiting exposure to critical services. - Improves user experience with seamless, high-performance connectivity. - Simplifies IT management with centralized policy enforcement. - Ensures compliance with least-privilege access policies. ### Securing Agentic AI Workloads Enable secure, compliant, and high-performance access for autonomous AI agents and workloads—across servers, VMs, and Kubernetes—without exposing your core infrastructure. #### Secure Access for Modern AI-Driven Enterprises As organizations accelerate AI adoption, agentic workloads—AI agents, automated processes, and machine identities—are increasingly deployed in core environments such as servers, virtual machines, and Kubernetes clusters. These deployments often expose APIs and web interfaces, creating new attack surfaces that traditional user-focused ZTNA and VPNs cannot adequately protect. AppGate ZTNA applies Zero Trust principles at the machine and workload level, ensuring only authorized agents and users on compliant systems can access specific services. This approach reduces the attack surface, enforces least-privilege access, and delivers high-performance, direct connections for both human and machine interactions. - Direct-Routed ZTNA: Low-latency, highly performant connections for AI workloads—no backhauling or cloud chokepoints. - Cloaked Infrastructure: AI services, APIs, and dashboards remain invisible until authenticated and authorized. - Granular Access: Access is granted based on workload, user, and device identity—not network location or static IPs. - Adaptive Risk Enforcement: Policies dynamically adjust based on workload posture, compliance state, and real-time context. - Coworkers doing brainstorming solving tasks in ai #### How It Works AppGate ZTNA with Agentic AI Core Protection dynamically enforces secure access by verifying both human and machine identities and continuously evaluating context before granting access to AI resources. **Workload and User Authentication** Both users and AI agents authenticate through secure identity providers or workload identity mechanisms. Multiple identity sources are supported for flexibility across hybrid environments. **Contextual Access Evaluation** Access is evaluated using real-time context such as device or workload posture, compliance state, and risk signals, ensuring only trusted agents and users are permitted to connect. **Dynamic Policy Enforcement** Access policies are enforced in real-time, ensuring AI agents, automated processes, and users can only access entitled APIs, data sources, or services. **Continuous Monitoring** All activity—human or machine—is continuously monitored, with access controls adapting to emerging risks and every interaction logged for compliance. #### Implementation Steps AppGate ZTNA makes it easy to secure agentic AI workloads, enabling rapid deployment and scaling without disrupting innovation or operations. 1. Deploy Headless Clients - Install AppGate’s Linux Headless Client on servers, VMs, or Kubernetes nodes running AI agents. 2. Integrate with Kubernetes - Use the Kubernetes injector to automatically provision ZTNA enforcement at the pod level, ensuring even rapidly scaling AI workloads remain protected. 3. Define Dynamic Access Policies - Create granular policies governing access to APIs, interfaces, or data—automatically adapting to roles, workload posture, and compliance needs. 4. Monitor and Adjust - Use AppGate’s centralized visibility to track activity and continuously refine policies to address threats, maintain compliance, and support evolving AI use cases. #### Benefits and Outcomes Implementing AppGate ZTNA for agentic AI delivers measurable improvements in security, compliance, and operational agility across your organization. - Isolates AI agents and workloads, preventing unauthorized access within core environments. - Empowers teams to deploy and scale AI workloads rapidly, without exposing APIs, web UIs, or sensitive data paths. - Applies the same security principles to both human and machine identities, across servers, VMs, and Kubernetes clusters. - Enforces least-privilege access, logs every interaction, and streamlines audits—even in dynamic, hybrid, or multi-cloud environments. - Reduces manual segmentation and legacy access control overhead, while maintaining high performance and reliability for AI operations. ### Server-Initiated Connectivity Deliver secure, controlled access for server-initiated connections. Certain protocols and services (such as VoIP, RDP, or SSH) require initiating sessions to end-user devices. Traditionally, enabling this exposes devices on the network, increasing the risk of unauthorized access or malicious traffic. AppGate ZTNA enforces a “service-to-client” model, treating endpoints like enterprise resources: invisible by default and only accessible to explicitly authorized services. Servers or services cannot initiate connections unless policies allow it, ensuring that only trusted, authenticated communications reach user devices—without opening inbound network ports. - Invisible Endpoints: User devices are cloaked from all unauthorized services by default, eliminating unnecessary exposure. - Policy-Driven Server Access: Servers and services can only initiate traffic to devices when explicitly entitled, controlling service-to-user flows. - Service-Centric View: Entitlements define exactly which devices are reachable from each service, preventing lateral movement and broad network visibility. - Highly Performant: AppGate’s point-to-point connectivity ensures efficient delivery of server-initiated traffic without routing through unnecessary middle points. - Integration partners resource #### How It Works AppGate ZTNA ensures that server-initiated connections reach only verified users who are explicitly authorized with the appropriate entitlements. **Service Authentication** Service accounts are authenticated through secure identity providers, supporting multiple providers for flexibility. **Dynamic Policy Enforcement** Access policies are enforced in real-time, ensuring user devices are only accessible to server-initiated connections under the right conditions. **Risk-Based Access Evaluation** The system evaluates the risk associated with each user request, considering device posture, location and other contextual factors. **Continuous Monitoring** Sessions are continuously monitored, and access controls adapt to emerging risks. #### Implementation Steps 1. Configure Identity Providers - Integrate your preferred identity providers into AppGate ZTNA to manage user authentication. 2. Define Risk Rules and Access Policies - Create and customize risk rules and access policies aligned with organizational security requirements. 3. Set Up User Interactions - Configure user interactions for scenarios requiring additional verification, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA). 4. Deploy and Configure Service Clients - Ensure service clients are properly configured to communicate with AppGate ZTNA. 5. Monitor and Adjust - Use monitoring tools to track user interactions and adjust policies to maintain security and compliance. #### Benefits and Outcomes AppGate ZTNA enforces least-privilege for server-initiated connections: endpoints remain cloaked, and only entitled services can initiate traffic. - Only authorized servers or services can connect to designated user devices. - User devices remain hidden from scans, probes, and lateral movement. - Direct connections improve performance for VoIP, RDP, and SSH sessions. - Detailed logs provide visibility into which services connected to which devices. ### Secure Branch and Site Connectivity Deliver fast, controlled connectivity across branch and site networks without compromising security or compliance. #### Zero Trust Site-to-Site Connectivity Traditional WAN and VPN solutions for branch connectivity often rely on static tunnels, broad network access, or backhauling through central hubs—introducing latency, complexity, and security gaps. AppGate ZTNA replaces these outdated models with granular, policy-driven access that enforces least-privilege communication between offices, data centers, and remote sites. Connections are established dynamically and directly, ensuring that only authorized sites can communicate while reducing exposure, improving performance, and simplifying management. - Direct-Routed Connectivity: Branches and sites connect efficiently without routing traffic through central gateways or cloud chokepoints. - Cloaked Networks: Networks and resources remain invisible to unauthorized sites and external attackers. - Identity-Centric Policies: Access to branch locations is controlled based on verified identities, not broad network ranges. - Adaptive Risk Controls: Connections adapt dynamically to changing security posture, network conditions or threat indicators. - Serious businesswoman using computer at workplace #### How It Works AppGate ZTNA secures connectivity between branch offices and sites by dynamically routing traffic, enforcing entitlements, and maintaining high performance and reliability. **Site Connectivity** AppGate ZTNA securely connects multiple sites, such as branch offices, through encrypted tunnels to ensure data integrity and confidentiality during transmission between locations. **Dynamic Site Selection** The system optimizes user connections by dynamically selecting the best site based on current network conditions for improved performance and reliability. **Fallback Mechanism** In the event of a site failure, a fallback site is automatically chosen to maintain connectivity and minimize downtime to ensure continuous access to resources. **Access Control** Entitlements and policies are enforced to ensure only authorized devices and users can access resources from each site. #### Implementation Steps AppGate ZTNA makes it simple to connect multiple sites securely by configuring connectors, defining policies and enabling monitoring of traffic. 1. Prepare the Existing Infrastructure - Ensure controllers and gateways are deployed within your AppGate ZTNA collective as a foundational setup before adding site-specific configurations. 2. Configure Site Connectors - Deploy and configure connectors at each site to establish secure tunnels, extending the secure perimeter to new locations through encrypted communication. 3. Define Site Policies and Entitlements - Create and apply policies and entitlements that define access rules for each site, including fallback options to maintain connectivity and security. 4. Monitor and Adjust - Use monitoring tools to track site access and performance, regularly reviewing and adjusting policies to ensure optimal security and efficiency across all connected sites. #### Benefits and Outcomes Implementing AppGate ZTNA for site-to-site and branch office access delivers secure, efficient, and manageable connectivity across distributed networks. - Reduces operational complexity by centralizing policy management for multiple offices and sites. - Ensures secure communication between branches without broad network exposure. - Improves performance by not routing through other cloud services. - Supports compliance and auditing by enforcing policy-based access and enabling continuous monitoring across all sites. ### Secure Remote Access for OT/IoT Protect access to OT and IoT networks without disrupting productivity or operations. #### Control Access to Critical OT and IoT Systems OT and IoT systems often rely on legacy protocols with minimal built-in protections, making secure access challenging without negatively impacting operations. AppGate ZTNA addresses this by cloaking critical control systems and enforcing identity- and policy-driven access, ensuring only authorized users and applications can communicate with sensors, controllers, and data collectors. This reduces exposure, prevents unauthorized access, and maintains operational efficiency. - Cloaked Resources: OT and IoT resources remain invisible until authenticated and authorized. - Identity-Centric Access: Access is granted based on device identity, user context and risk posture, not just network location. - Dynamic Policy Enforcement: Policies respond to device posture and activity to maintain secure access. - Seamless Integration: Integrates with existing security tools for improved monitoring and operational oversight. #### How It Works AppGate ZTNA provides secure remote access to OT and IoT systems by dynamically routing traffic, enforcing entitlements, and maintaining high performance and reliability. **Secure Connectivity** AppGate ZTNA provides encrypted tunnels to OT and IoT systems, protecting data as it moves between sensors, controllers, data collectors, and analytics platforms—regardless of location. **Dynamic Path Selection** The system uses device attributes and network conditions to select the optimal path for secure connections, improving performance and reliability. **IP Pool Mapping** Unique IP addresses are assigned to each system or endpoint type, preventing conflicts and ensuring correct routing of traffic. **Fallback Mechanism** If a network or system failure occurs, a backup path is automatically selected to maintain secure connectivity. **Access Control** Entitlements and policies define which systems and resources can be accessed, ensuring only authorized users and endpoints communicate with OT and IoT systems. #### Benefits and Outcomes Implementing AppGate ZTNA for secure remote access delivers efficient, and manageable connectivity across complex and distributed OT and IoT environments. - Reduces operational complexity by centralizing OT and IoT policy management. - Aligns OT and IoT systems with a Zero Trust strategy for stronger security. - Integrates with third-party security tools for continuous risk assessment. - Enables secure site-to-site or multi-site tunnels, allowing legacy VPN, SD-WAN, and MPLS to be retired. - Supports compliance and auditing with identity-based access and real-time permission updates. #### Implementation Steps AppGate ZTNA simplifies the secure connection of OT and IoT environments by configuring connectors, defining policies, and monitoring traffic for optimal performance. 1. Configure Connectors - Establish secure tunnels for OT and IoT devices, ensuring encrypted communication. 2. Define Device Policies and Entitlements - Create policies and entitlements that specify access rules for each device type, including fallback options. 3. Set Up IP Pool Mapping - Assign unique IP addresses to each device type, preventing conflicts and ensuring proper traffic routing. 4. Deploy and Configure Gateways - Ensure Gateways are deployed to handle traffic securely and efficiently for each device type. 5. Monitor and Adjust - Use monitoring tools to track performance and adjust policies as needed to maintain security and optimize network efficiency. [Securing Operational Technology Environments with AppGate ZTNA](https://www.appgate.com/resources/home/col/main/securing-ot-appgate-ztna-sb?pflpid=63105&pfsid=aRz6NecDh4) ### Secure SaaS Access Secure access to SaaS applications for trusted users on verified devices, keeping users safe and productive. #### Zero Trust Access to SaaS Applications Employees depend on SaaS applications to stay productive across multiple locations and devices, but traditional, network-centric controls can’t enforce least-privilege or validate device posture, leaving sensitive data exposed. AppGate ZTNA secures SaaS access with identity- and device-driven policies that continuously evaluate risk and adapt in near real-time. Only verified users on trusted devices can connect to authorized applications, reducing exposure, preventing unauthorized access, and preserving a seamless user experience. - Identity and Device-Centric Access: Access is based on verified user identity and posture checked devices, not just network location. - Continuous Risk Evaluation: Policies adjust dynamically using device posture, and risk signals. - Seamless User Experience: Approved users can securely access SaaS applications with minimal friction and no disruption to workflow. - Consistent Security Controls: Extends the same Zero Trust policies to SaaS as to private and on-prem applications. #### How it Works AppGate ZTNA secures access to SaaS applications by verifying user identities and device compliance, ensuring secure and efficient connectivity. It achieves this through four key capabilities: **User and Device Verification** Authenticates users and validates devices, ensuring only trusted users and compliant devices can access SaaS applications. **Risk-Based Access Control** Dynamically assesses risk using device attributes and user behavior to enforce access controls, thereby enhancing security. **Dynamic Policy Enforcement** Enforces policies based on user roles and device compliance, ensuring access is granted only to authorized users and devices. **Gateway Whitelisting** SaaS applications are configured to only accept inbound connections from trusted AppGate gateways. **Continuous Monitoring** Continuously monitors user and device activity, adjusting access permissions in real-time to maintain security and compliance. #### Implementation Steps AppGate ZTNA simplifies secure access to SaaS applications by configuring risk rules, defining entitlements and monitoring compliance. 1. Configure Risk Rules - Set up risk rules to assess device security and compliance, ensuring only trusted devices can access SaaS applications. 2. Define Access Policies and Entitlements - Create policies and entitlements that specify access conditions based on user roles and device compliance. 3. Deploy and Configure Gateways - Ensure gateways are deployed to handle secure traffic and enforce access policies efficiently and whitelist the SaaS application to enable inbound connections exclusively through these gateways. 4. Monitor and Adjust - Use monitoring tools to track user and device compliance, adjusting policies as needed to maintain security and optimize access to SaaS applications. #### Benefits and Outcomes Implementing AppGate ZTNA for SaaS applications ensures secure, efficient and manageable access for trusted users and devices across the organization. - Access is granted based on verified user identity and compliant device. - Policies adapt in near-real time to device posture, behavior and risk signals. - Only approved users on trusted devices can reach authorized SaaS applications. - Trusted users securely access SaaS, traditional, proprietary and other applications. ### Secure Workload-to-Workload Communication Enable secure connections between applications, workloads and services without relying on static controls. #### Protect Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Resources Modern IT environments are highly distributed, with applications, databases, and microservices communicating across hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures. Traditional network security exposes resources or relies on static rules, leaving them vulnerable to lateral movement, misconfigurations, and exploitation. AppGate ZTNA secures resource-to-resource communication by cloaking workloads and enforcing least-privilege, identity-centric policies at the workload level. Each connection is dynamically authorized, ensuring only trusted resources can communicate—and only with the services they are entitled to access. - Cloaked Workloads: Applications, databases and services are hidden from discovery or unauthorized access. - Identity-Centric Access: Policies are applied not just to users, but also to workloads, APIs and service accounts. - Segment of One: Each resource is isolated to its own secure segment, limiting exposure and lateral movement. - Dynamic Policy Enforcement: Access between resources adapts automatically to context and posture, even across hybrid environments. - Reduce network complexity image #### How it Works AppGate ZTNA secures communications between resources by routing traffic through trusted connectors, enforcing entitlements, and cloaking resources until authorized. **Traffic Routing** Local resources send traffic destined for protected resources through a connector. The connector routes this traffic based on the resource group configuration. **Dynamic Tunneling** Traffic is split into required tunnels based on entitlements. This ensures that only authorized traffic is allowed through, using either the clients' tun IP address or the local resource's IP address, depending on the NAT settings. **Secure Processing** A secure process on a gateway handles the traffic from each client, ensuring efficient and secure routing without exposing the network to unnecessary risks. **Firewall Enforcement** Traffic is firewalled according to entitlement actions, ensuring that only permitted interactions occur between resources. **Resource Cloaking** Resources are cloaked from discovery until they are authenticated and authorized, preventing unauthorized access and reducing exposure to potential threats. #### Implementation Steps AppGate ZTNA makes it easy to secure workload communications by configuring connectors, defining entitlements, and enabling the continuous monitoring of interactions across resources. 1. Configure Clients/Connectors - Set up headless clients or connectors to route traffic between local and protected resources, including workloads running in Kubernetes (K8s) clusters. 2. Define Resource Groups and Entitlements - Create resource groups and customize entitlements to specify access rules for resource interactions. 3. Set Up Network Address Translation (NAT) Settings - Configure source NAT or Destination NAT to ensure proper routing of return traffic between resources. 4. Deploy and Configure Gateways - Ensure all headless clients and connectors connect to all gateways on the site for secure traffic handling. 5. Monitor and Adjust - Use monitoring tools to track resource interactions and adjust entitlements to maintain security and compliance. #### Benefits and Outcomes Implementing AppGate ZTNA for resource-to-resource access strengthens security and resilience across distributed environments while simplifying policy management. - Prevents unauthorized inter-service access by tightly controlling how workloads and resources communicate. - Protects sensitive applications, APIs and databases from unauthorized discovery and exploitation. - Enhances compliance by enforcing identity-based controls across hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures. - Improves operational agility with dynamic, context-aware policies that adapt as resources scale or shift. ## 8. Solutions by Industry ### Federal - Safeguard Your Mission-Critical Operations Trust battle-tested AppGate ZTNA... certified, approved and deployed to protect connections across intricate hybrid infrastructures for the Department of Defense, federal agencies and the Defense Industrial Base sector. AppGate ZTNA provides identity-centric access to the resources and applications that warfighters and federal personnel need to execute their global missions. It is the enabling ZTNA technology of CNAP architecture and is aligned with NIST SP 800-207 Zero Trust architecture standards and CISA’s Zero Trust Maturity Model. #### Authorized To Operate, Ready To Deploy AppGate ZTNA is fully operational across many DOD branches, including Space Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Platform One and Cloud Native Access Point (CNAP), as well as U.S. Cyber Command, Joint Cyber Warfighting Architecture (JCWA) and Unified Platform. - **Authority to Operate IL2 - IL6+** - AppGate ZTNA has received Authority to Operate across the DOD Impact Levels, from IL2 to IL6+. This authorization enables AppGate ZTNA to safeguard sensitive information, including data classified up to the Secret level. - **U.S. Military Command Pen Tested** - AppGate ZTNA has undergone rigorous penetration testing by U.S. Cyber Command, Army Cyber and Air Force Cyber—earning a high-mission impact/low-risk rating. - **NIAP Common Criteria EAL** - AppGate ZTNA is the only solution to achieve Common Criteria certification meeting the most stringent security requirements for government agencies. - **FIPS 140-3** - AppGate ZTNA is compliant with the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS 140-3) meeting NIST requirements for cryptographic modules. - **Certificate to Field (CtF) for Platform One** - AppGate ZTNA is mission application-level accredited to run in specific environments within the DOD. - **NCCoE and NIST** - AppGate is a select contributor to the Implementing a Zero Trust Architecture Project and how-to guides published by the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at NIST. - **NIAP Protection Profile** - AppGate ZTNA *Client 6.4* has achieved the National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) Protection Profile certification, marking it as a trusted solution by the U.S. Government for handling classified data in secure environments. > “AppGate is a critical component of Platform One’s Cloud Native Access Point (CNAP) and its Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) implementation, it is the forefront of PI’s access security.” > > - Department of the Air Force, Unclassified Memorandum for Record #### Federal Direct Direct Routed ZTNA Advantages - Full control over network traffic - Low-latency, high-availability direct access - ZTNA control for all users, devices, operating technologies and workloads - Server-initiated connections support ecosystem interoperability - Predictable pricing #### Federal Cloud Routed ZTNA and Come with Drawbacks - Network traffic forced through vendor cloud - Implicit trust of security, availability and scalability of vendor multi-tenant cloud - Throughput, scale, latency and hair-pinning limitations - Proxy architecture limits protocol support - Potential for hidden or variable costs ### Securing State, Local Government, and Education with Zero Trust #### Strengthen security and reduce risk across IT, OT and public-facing systems. - Protect citizen records, student data, and critical public infrastructure with AppGate ZTNA — built to secure government and education while ensuring access for every authorized user. - Eliminate broad network access and implicit trust. Replace legacy VPN infrastructure with identity-defined connections that grant users access only to authorized applications and systems. - Protect sensitive citizen, financial, and student data. Cloak critical government and education resources from unauthorized users, mitigating reconnaissance and lateral movement across agency and campus networks. - Defend legacy OT infrastructure without disrupting operations. Extend Zero Trust access controls to SCADA systems, PLCs, and industrial control environments without requiring changes to underlying infrastructure. #### Enforce consistent access governance across agencies, campuses, and every user type. - Apply least-privilege access policies across every user type. AppGate ZTNA enforces role-based access controls limiting connectivity to only the resources required for each user's responsibilities. - Continuously verify identity, device posture, and risk context. Access decisions dynamically evaluate user identity, device health, and environmental factors before and during every session. - Manage multi-department environments from a single platform. Support distinct access policies across agencies and institutions without deploying separate infrastructure for each, reducing overhead and inconsistency. #### Maintain audit-ready compliance and support regulatory requirements. - Generate a complete, traceable record of every access decision. Every connection request and policy enforcement action is logged automatically, supporting state, federal, and institutional compliance requirements. - Support IRS 1075, CJIS, FERPA, and other public sector mandates. AppGate ZTNA enforces least-privilege access, network segmentation, and continuous verification aligned with government and education regulatory frameworks. - Demonstrate security posture to leadership and oversight bodies. Centralized visibility into access activity gives IT teams reporting capabilities to communicate risk status to leadership and external reviewers. | Specific Use Case | AppGate ZTNA (Direct-routed architecture) | Other ZTNA Solutions (Cloud-routed architecture) | |:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:------------------------------------------|:-------------------------------------------------| | Secure access to SCADA, ICS, and OT systems supporting water, utilities, and transportation | Yes | No | | Network infrastructure invisible to external attackers | Yes | No | | Secure inter-agency connectivity without shared network exposure | Yes | No | | Hybrid on-premises and cloud support across legacy and modern government infrastructure | Yes | Limited | | Role-based access controls for government employees, educators, students, contractors, and vendors | Yes | Limited | | Secure remote access for distributed and remote public sector workers across agencies and institutions | Yes | No | | Architected to support Universal ZTNA across all user types, devices, and environments | Yes | No | | Full private network control with flexible deployment options for true Zero Trust architecture | Yes | No | | Enforcing least-privilege access to meet CJIS, FERPA, and IRS 1075 mandates | Yes | Limited | | Isolating sensitive systems including financial aid records, law enforcement databases, and research environments | Yes | No | | Audit-ready access logging to support state, federal, and institutional compliance reviews | Yes | No | #### Secure Access Challenges Facing SLED Organizations - Expanding Access Requirements - Government employees, educators, contractors, and third-party vendors require secure connectivity to IT and OT environments from multiple locations and devices. - Legacy Remote Access Infrastructure - Many organizations continue to rely on aging VPN platforms that lack the policy granularity and visibility needed for modern security strategies. - Interconnected Agencies and Departments - State and municipal IT organizations frequently support multiple agencies or departments, each with unique access policies and operational requirements. - Protection of Sensitive Public Data - Government and education systems store sensitive citizen, financial, and student data that must be protected from unauthorized access and exfiltration. - Increasing Cyber Threat Activity - State agencies and educational institutions face growing targeting by foreign nation-state actors and organized cybercriminal groups seeking to exploit exposed infrastructure. #### Case Study - [Access Control Traditional VPNs Can't Match](https://www.appgate.com/resources/home/col/main/dssw-case-study?pflpid=63105&pfsid=aRz6NecDh4) > "The AppGate client is the easiest I’ve deployed and is simple for end users. The MFA experience just works. We have 99.99999% VPN uptime, zero noticeable downtime during upgrades, and the abilityto get granular with access. This is something unattainable with traditional VPNs in my experience." > - William Cochran, VP of IT Strategy and Solutions ### Securing OT Environments in Manufacturing with AppGate ZTNA Secure your operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICS) with AppGate ZTNA, a Universal ZTNA solution that provides complete isolation, secure remote access, and operational resilience #### Simplify compliance with industry regulations and internal security policies. - Leverage detailed logging and reporting capabilities to demonstrate the effectiveness of security measures during audits. - Ensure compliance with industry regulations and internal security policies by enforcing consistent access controls and authentication mechanisms. - Reduce the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties by maintaining a robust security posture. #### Reduce the attack surface and protect against lateral movement with granular, context-aware access controls. - Eliminate implicit trust and enforce least-privilege access to minimize the risk of unauthorized access and lateral movement within the network. - Continuously verify and authenticate every user and device to ensure that only authorized individuals can access critical systems. - Implement device posture checks to ensure that devices connecting to the network meet specific security requirements. - Integrate ZTNA with legacy systems and protocols, ensuring compatibility and implementing necessary security measures to protect outdated equipment. #### Improve operational efficiency and agility with secure, controlled access to critical systems. - Streamline workflows and enhance productivity by enabling secure access for authorized users across various scenarios. - Reduce the complexity of managing access controls and security policies across different network environments. - Maintain operational continuity and minimize downtime by preventing disruptions caused by cyberattacks or unauthorized access. |Specific Use Case|AppGate ZTNA (Direct-routed architecture) |Other ZTNA Solutions (Cloud-routed architecture)| |:-----------------------------------------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------| |Direct access to manufacturing network resources|Yes |No| |Real-time monitoring of production line sensors with low latency| Yes |No| |Application and security infrastructure invisible to attackers |Yes| No| |Secure access to time-sensitive quality control systems |Yes| No| |Isolating critical OT networks from general IT networks |Yes| No| |Architected to support Universal ZTNA |Yes |Limited| |Secure remote diagnostics for manufacturing equipment |Yes |Limited| |Facilitating secure IoT device onboarding and management |Yes| Limited| |Ensuring low-latency access to real-time process control systems |Yes| No| |Full control over network traffic routing |Yes |No| |Flexible deployment options for true Zero Trust architecture |Yes| No| #### Secure Access Challenges in Manufacturing - Balancing Security with Operational Agility - Maintaining robust security measures without impeding production processes and real-time operational needs - Managing Diverse Users and Devices - Implementing secure access controls for a mix of employees, contractors, vendors, and their various devices, including personal devices (BYOD) - Securing Legacy Systems - Integrating ZTNA with outdated systems that may lack modern security features, particularly in OT and ICS environments - Ensuring Continuous Authentication and Authorization - Implementing ongoing verification of users and devices to maintain least-privilege access and prevent unauthorized lateral movement - Maintaining Real-Time Threat Detection and Response - Establishing proactive monitoring and rapid response capabilities to address threats without disrupting critical operations - Addressing Insider Threats and Human Error - Implementing measures to mitigate risks posed by unintentional misconfigurations, accidental data exposure, or malicious actions by employees #### Case Study - [Chemours ReImagines Secure Access with Zero Trust](https://www.appgate.com/resources/home/col/main/from-vpn-replacement-to-zero-trust-reality-how-chemours-transformed-secure-access-with-appgate-ztna?pflpid=63105&pfsid=aRz6NecDh4) > "With AppGate, the access is completely identity‑driven. We can make it granular to a point where you get access to one particular resource over one particular port—nothing more. That’s a huge shift from the traditional VPN model. " > - Pattu Bose, Cyber Security Manager ### Zero Trust Network Access for Critical Energy Infrastructure Secure your IT/OT, smart grids, and decentralized energy systems with AppGate ZTNA, a Zero Trust solution that ensures complete isolation, secure remote access, and resilience against evolving cyber threats. #### Enhance Operational Efficiency with Secure, Granular Access - Streamline workflows and improve productivity by enabling secure, role-based access for authorized users across OT and IT systems. - Enable real-time monitoring and management of energy production through precise access controls tailored to specific operational needs. - Reduce disruptions by ensuring that only verified users and devices can interact with critical infrastructure, minimizing human error and unauthorized access. #### Strengthen Compliance with Regulatory Standards - Simplify adherence to NERC CIP and other regulatory requirements by enforcing least-privilege access policies across smart grids and decentralized networks. - Generate audit-ready logs automatically, reducing the complexity and time required for compliance reporting. - Mitigate compliance risks by maintaining consistent security policies across diverse environments, ensuring alignment with evolving energy regulations. #### Ensure Uninterrupted Energy Delivery - Fortify critical energy infrastructure by implementing air-gapped network architectures, physically isolating systems like SCADA and AMI from cyber threats to maintain operational continuity and grid stability. - Minimize downtime through continuous authentication and real-time threat detection, ensuring operational continuity even during cyber incidents. - Safeguard grid stability by encrypting data across decentralized nodes, protecting the integrity of smart grids and renewable energy systems. See why AppGate's direct-routed approach delivers superior security and performance for critical energy operations. |Specific Use Case|AppGate ZTNA (Direct-routed architecture) |Other ZTNA Solutions (Cloud-routed architecture)| |:-----------------------------------------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------| |Direct access to manufacturing network resources |Yes |No| |Real-time monitoring of production line sensors with low latency |Yes |No| |Application and security infrastructure invisible to attackers |Yes |No| |Secure access to time-sensitive quality control systems |Yes |No| |Isolating critical OT networks from general IT networks |Yes |No| |Architected to support Universal ZTNA |Yes |Limited| |Secure remote diagnostics for manufacturing equipment |Yes |Limited| |Facilitating secure IoT device onboarding and management |Yes |Limited| |Ensuring low-latency access to real-time process control systems |Yes |No| |Full control over network traffic routing |Yes |No| |Flexible deployment options for true Zero Trust architecture |Yes| No| #### Secure Access Challenges in Energy OperationsIsolating OT/IT Networks - Preventing lateral movement of threats by segmenting OT networks from IT environments, reducing the attack surface and securing critical infrastructure. - Securing Remote Access for Field Operations - Enabling secure and low-latency access for field workers and third-party vendors, ensuring productivity without compromising security. - Modernizing Protection for Legacy Systems - Integrating modern Zero Trust principles into outdated infrastructure without disrupting operations, extending the lifespan and security of legacy systems. - Maintaining Real-Time Threat Detection and Response - Leveraging integrated threat intelligence for rapid response to cyber threats, minimizing downtime and mitigating potential damage to energy infrastructure. - Ensuring Regulatory Adherence - Streamlining compliance efforts by enforcing access policies aligned with NERC CIP standards and providing real-time audit logs. #### Case Study - [AppGate ZTNA Secures Energy Operations](https://www.appgate.com/resources/case-studies?overlay_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.appgate.com%2Fresources%2Fcase-studies%2Fcol%2F28d73dc9-f1be-422d-88ed-7907bb8bd0bc%2Fglobal-oil-and-gas-appgate-ztna%3Fpflpid%3D63947%26pfsid%3DPp8TywqdFo%26null) > "With AppGate ZTNA, we can deliver secure, seamless access to our employees and contractors worldwide while drastically reducing our attack surface and keeping sensitive traffic fully under our control." > - Security Leader, Global Energy Company ### Zero Trust Network Access for Healthcare Protect patient data and clinical systems with a Zero Trust solution built to secure complex healthcare networks, safeguard legacy devices, and support uninterrupted, compliant care. #### Enhance Clinical Efficiency with Secure, Granular Access - Streamline workflows and improve patient care by enabling secure, role-based access for authorized clinicians, staff, and partners across healthcare IT and OT systems. - Enable near real-time monitoring and control of medical devices and applications through precise access controls tailored to specific clinical and operational needs. - Reduce disruptions by ensuring that only verified users and devices can interact with critical healthcare infrastructure, minimizing human error and unauthorized access. #### Strengthen Compliance with Healthcare Regulations - Simplify adherence to HIPAA, HITECH, and other regulatory requirements by enforcing least-privilege access policies across hospitals, imaging systems, and telehealth networks. - Generate audit-ready logs automatically, reducing the complexity and time required for compliance reporting. - Mitigate compliance risks by maintaining consistent security policies across diverse environments, ensuring alignment with evolving healthcare regulations. #### Ensure Uninterrupted Patient Care - Fortify clinical systems by cloaking and segmenting access to sensitive EHR, imaging, and OT systems from unauthorized access to maintain care continuity. - Minimize downtime through continuous authentication and real-time threat detection, ensuring operational continuity even during cyber incidents - Preserve data confidentiality by restricting access paths to critical systems and resources, preventing exposure of patient data across distributed care environments. #### See why AppGate’s direct-routed approach delivers superior security and performance for critical healthcare operations. |Specific Use Case|AppGate ZTNA (Direct-routed architecture) |Other ZTNA Solutions (Cloud-routed architecture)| |:-----------------------------------------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------| |Direct access to EHR and imaging systems |Yes |No| |Real-time monitoring of medical devices with low latency |Yes |No| |Network infrastructure invisible to attackers |Yes |No| |Secure access to time-sensitive clinical applications Y|es |No| |Architected to support Universal ZTNA |Yes |Limited| |Secure remote diagnostics for connected medical equipment |Yes |Limited| |Facilitating secure IoT/IoMT device onboarding and management |Yes |Limited| |Ensuring low-latency access to clinical decision support systems |Yes |No| |Full private network control |Yes |No| |Flexible deployment options for true Zero Trust architecture |Yes |Limited| #### Secure Access Challenges in Healthcare - Isolating IT and OT Networks - Healthcare networks are highly “viny” and complex, often pieced together over decades. Segmenting OT (imaging, monitoring, legacy devices) from IT environments reduces the attack surface and secures critical patient systems. - Securing Remote Access for Care Delivery - Enabling secure, low-latency access for remote clinicians, telehealth providers, and third-party specialists without compromising patient safety. - Modernizing Legacy OT Environments in Healthcare - Many healthcare devices still run on outdated operating systems and connect through multiple network ports, creating unnecessary exposure. AppGate ZTNA adds modern Zero Trust access controls without modifying these systems, enforcing step-up authentication and MFA to secure every connection without disrupting care. - Closing 5G and New Technology Gaps - As hospitals integrate 5G for connected devices—or even renewable energy into facility OT—new entry points multiply. Without Zero Trust segmentation, each connection is a risk. AppGate ZTNA ensures these “legs” into the network are protected and continuously monitored. - Ensuring Regulatory Adherence - Streamlining compliance efforts by enforcing access policies aligned with HIPAA and other healthcare standards, while providing real-time audit logs. #### [Securing the Healthcare Sector solution brief](https://www.appgate.com/resources/home/col/main/sdp3034-healthcare-s?pflpid=63105&pfsid=aRz6NecDh4) ### Zero Trust Network Access for Financial Services Protect customer data, trading platforms, and payment networks with AppGate ZTNA, a Zero Trust solution that secures access to complex financial ecosystems, ensuring uninterrupted, compliant operations. #### Enhance Operational Efficiency with Secure, Granular Access - Streamline user workflows by enabling role-based access for employees, contractors, and third-party partners across branches, trading floors, and remote offices. - Enable secure access to core banking applications, payment systems, risk management tools, and customer databases through precise access controls tailored to financial workflows. - Reduce costly downtime by ensuring only verified users and devices interact with critical applications, minimizing errors and unauthorized access. #### Strengthen Compliance with Financial Regulations - Simplify adherence to PCI DSS, FFIEC, GLBA, GDPR, and other global financial regulations by enforcing least-privilege policies across hybrid environments. - Generate audit-ready logs automatically, reducing the complexity and time required for compliance reporting. - Mitigate compliance risks by applying consistent access policies across trading, payments, and core banking platforms. #### Ensure Resilient and Secure Financial Operations - Fortify high-value systems such as core banking, payment gateways, and trading engines by segmenting them from general IT networks. - Render critical financial systems invisible to unauthorized users, reducing the attack surface and preventing lateral movement within the network. - Preserve data sovereignty with localized, policy-driven access that keeps sensitive information within required jurisdictions. #### See why AppGate’s direct-routed approach delivers superior security and performance for financial services organization |Specific Use Case|AppGate ZTNA (Direct-routed architecture) |Other ZTNA Solutions (Cloud-routed architecture)| |:-----------------------------------------------------------|:-----------------------------------------------| |Direct access to trading and payment systems |Yes |No| |Real-time monitoring with low latency |Yes |No| |Network infrastructure invisible to attackers |Yes |No| |Secure access to time-sensitive financial applications |Yes |No| |Architected to support Universal ZTNA |Yes |No| |Secure remote diagnostics for branch and ATM systems |Yes |No| |Facilitating secure fintech and IoT onboarding |Yes |Limited| |Ensuring low-latency access to real-time trading platforms |Yes |Limited| |Full private network control |Yes |No| |Flexible deployment options for true Zero Trust architecture |Yes |Limited| #### Secure Access Challenges in Financial Services - Isolating Critical Systems - Segmenting payment, trading, and core banking systems from broader IT networks reduces the attack surface and prevents lateral movement of threats. - Securing Remote and Third-Party Access - Financial services rely heavily on distributed teams, contractors, and vendors. AppGate ZTNA ensures low-latency, secure access without exposing critical systems. - Modernizing Legacy Banking Platforms - AppGate applies modern Zero Trust access controls without modifying systems that run on decades old infrastructure, enforcing step-up authentication and MFA to secure applications and resources without disrupting daily operations. - Enabling Digital Transformation and Fin tech Growth - As banks expand digital services and integrate fintech partners, new access points multiply. AppGate ZTNA protects these connections with segmentation and continuous verification. - Ensuring Global Regulatory Compliance - AppGate ZTNA enforces consistent access policies aligned with PCI DSS, GLBA, FFIEC, GDPR, and other regulations, while providing real-time audit logs. #### Case Study - [Secure Capital Market with ZTNA](https://www.appgate.com/resources/home/col/main/case-study-byma-en?pflpid=63105&pfsid=aRz6NecDh40) > "BYMA works with a constant focus: the evolution of the Argentine Capital Market, and technology is a central driver in this challenge. We celebrate the development carried out in conjunction with AppGate, as it favors the incorporation of leading technology to the local market to enhance the activity of all participants" > - Maximiliano Ignaciuk, CIO of BYMA and Director of TECVAL, a technology company of the BYMA Group --- ## 9. Solutions by Role ### CISO / Security Leadership Prove Zero Trust. Demonstrate Risk Reduction. Simplify audits. Continuous, policy-driven access with board-ready evidence. #### Executive Outcomes Show measurable risk reduction without slowing the business. - Continuous compliance - Unified logs + real-time enforcement cut audit prep by up to 60%. - Lower lateral-movement risk - Segment-of-one access; Single Packet Authorization (SPA)-powered invisibility. - Operational resilience - Distributed enforcement; no single cloud broker dependency. - Cost control and predictability - Direct-routed paths avoid egress fees and vendor middle-mile. AppGate ZTNA enables CISOs to prove the business impact of Zero Trust initiatives by aligning controls to board-level risk priorities, not just security operations. #### Aligned to Your Frameworks Meet requirements. Prove Compliance. Reduce Audit Fatigue AppGate ZTNA aligns with the security and compliance frameworks your organization depends on—spanning Zero Trust, regulatory and industry-specific standards. Whether you’re addressing federal mandates, data protection requirements or sector-driven controls, AppGate ZTNA provides consistent, enforceable access policies that map to your compliance objectives. With policy-driven access, continuous verification and a cryptographically enforced segment-of-one architecture, AppGate ZTNA delivers measurable control adherence across a wide range of frameworks. Every access request is logged with full traceability, giving CISOs the evidence needed to satisfy auditors, streamline assessments and demonstrate Zero Trust maturity. #### Why AppGate ZTNA’s Architecture Reduces Risk Fewer places to attack; fewer chances to move laterally. - Cloaked surface – Assets invisible until identity/device posture verify (SPA). - Policy as guardrail – Attribute-based, continuous decisions at the network layer. - Direct-routed architecture – No multi-tenant middle-mile; better sovereignty with no hair-pinning or chokepoints. #### Validated outcomes in regulated environments. - Demonstrable compliance posture: Centralized, policy-driven access maps ensure alignment with regulatory frameworks and produce clear, audit-ready evidence. - Reduced exposure to attackers: AppGate cloaks infrastructure and enforces least-privilege, identity-based access, preventing lateral movement before it starts. - Operational resilience: Direct-routed architecture eliminates single points of failure, ensuring secure access continuity even under disruption. ## 10. Services ### DevOps Security That Moves at the Speed of Your Pipeline. Embed Zero Trust into CI/CD pipelines without delivery delays. #### Built for Builders Treat access as code and keep releases unblocked. - Automate Everything - Policy and entitlements via APIs, and IaC pipeline gates enforce identity & posture. - No Bottlenecks - Direct, point-to-point paths ensure fast builds and tests. - Any Environment - Network-layer enforcement for cloud, on-prem, edge, and microservices. - Cloud-Native Scale - Lightweight gateways run as VMs on any x86-based platform, enabling horizontal elasticity and frictionless scaling. #### How AppGate ZTNA Fits Your Pipeline Access is established and removed as fast as your jobs run. - **Pre-job** - AppGate K8s injector automatically provides short-lived, least privilege access for pods. - **API-driven automation** - CI/CD pipelines call AppGate APIs to request scoped entitlements; they expire automatically when no longer needed. - **Event-driven control** - AppGate can trigger outbound API calls to update external systems, such as revoking credentials or opening a ticket. #### What DevOps Teams Gain Security becomes transparent to developers, and infrastructure invisible to attackers. - Granular, dynamic policies per repository, environment, service, and branch. - Open, API-first integrations with IAM, EDR, MDM, SIEM, and any other third-party tool. - Drop-in deployment – Deploy wherever you build and run, no network re-architecture required. - AppGate ZTNA enables DevOps teams to automate Zero Trust access as code—keeping pipelines secure, adaptable, and fast. ### IT Management Simplify Secure Access. Cut Cost. Scale With Ease. Unify policy, eliminate VPN sprawl, and deliver low-latency access with direct-routed ZTNA. #### Why IT Teams Choose AppGate ZTNA Like you, they need fewer moving parts and predictable performance. - Consolidate & Standardize - Replace overlapping VPN/NAC/Cloud-broker tools with one platform and one policy model. - Lower Total Cost - Avoid cloud egress fees and hardware refresh cycles with direct routing and software-defined control. - Perform at Scale - Distributed enforcement removes chokepoints; users connect point-to-point for lower latency. - Gain Audit-ready Visibility - Centralized logging and policy governance across on-prem, cloud, and hybrid. #### How it Works Make resources invisible, verify trust, connect directly, then adapt in real time. - Cloak - Resources are invisible until trust is verified (Single Packet Authorization (SPA)). - Verify - Identity + device posture + context evaluated in near real-time. - Connect - Direct, encrypted path to only the authorized resource (“segment-of-one”). - Adapt - Policies update continuously; entitlements revoke/expand as risk changes. ## 10. Services #### What You’ll Streamline Cut toil and tickets tied to legacy access workflows - Policy management - Define once, enforce everywhere with attribute-based rules. - On/Off-boarding - Automated, policy-driven entitlements ensure rapid, secure access changes. - Third-party access - Least-privilege, time-bound access without standing VPNs. #### Outcomes You Can Measure Expect faster access and lower OpEx, not trade-offs. - Up to 67% connectivity cost reduction (DXC removed MPLS/backhaul, consolidated VPNs) - Fewer access tickets and faster time-to-access via automation and centralized control - Lower latency vs. cloud-brokered ZTNA thanks to direct routing ## 10. Services ### Cyber Advisory Services Offensive Security Solutions for a Proactive Cyber Defense AppGate’s Cyber Advisory Services simulates real attackers to expose vulnerabilities and strengthen your Zero Trust defenses. #### Even the Most Seasoned, Serious Security Teams Need Guidance - Continuously identify and remediate issues and threats - Adversaries hunt year-round, so should your trusted red team. Once-a-year, check-the-box compliance penetration testing ... that’s not us. - Accelerate and measure your Zero Trust journey - Get expert guidance on where to start your Zero Trust initiative and validate its effectiveness as you mature and scale your program. - Test your defense and response - Go beyond tabletop exercises and see how your team responds to realistic, real-world attack scenarios while identifying gaps and improving your defenses. - Focus your SecOps teams - Rely on offensive experts to identify gaps in your security strategy so your security team can focus and prioritize defense operations. #### Key Offerings **Adversary Simulation and Penetration Testing** Analysts identify weaknesses by emulating real-world adversaries and malicious insiders to test your resilience against sophisticated attacks. Using a 20/80 approach—20% automated tools and 80% manual, custom-crafted exploits—we uncover vulnerabilities that automated assessments often miss. Each engagement simulates advanced tactics like privilege escalation, lateral movement, and data exfiltration to expose real risks and demonstrate business impact. Findings include detailed risk analysis and actionable remediation steps to help strengthen defenses and reduce exposure. **Third-Party Access Risk Assessment** AppGate’s Third-Party Access Risk Assessment helps identify and secure every external connection to your business. Our Cyber Advisory Services team simulates vendor access using the same credentials, tools, and permissions as real partners to uncover vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and gaps in access controls. Each engagement reveals hidden risks, data exposures, and operational weaknesses created by third-party connections. Findings include evidence-based insights and remediation guidance to reduce your attack surface, meet compliance requirements, and strengthen oversight of vendor and contractor access. **Continuity of Operations: Disruptive Attack Simulation** AppGate’s Continuity of Operations: Disruptive Attack Simulation service tests your organization’s ability to maintain mission-critical operations during cyber, technical, or environmental disruptions. Our Cyber Advisory Services team develops and launches custom attack scenarios to evaluate the effectiveness of your existing defenses and continuity strategies. Each simulation identifies weaknesses in resilience planning, single points of failure, and opportunities to strengthen business continuity. Findings include detailed analysis and actionable recommendations to enhance preparedness, minimize downtime, and protect your organization from revenue loss and reputational harm. #### The AppGate Advantage AppGate’s Cyber Advisory Services deliver expert-driven, adversary-informed testing and guidance that reveal hidden risks, strengthen defenses, and build lasting cyber resilience across your organization. - Unmatched Expertise: Veteran offensive security specialists and former federal agents with decades of real-world threat experience. - CREST-Certified Assurance: Independent validation of technical excellence, ethics, and global testing standards. - Tailored, Manual Testing: Deep, hands-on analysis to uncover vulnerabilities automated tools overlook. - Actionable Outcomes: Clear, evidence-based remediation guidance to reduce risk and fortify resilience. - Zero Trust Integration: Services aligned with AppGate’s industry-leading ZTNA solution for holistic protection. [Datasheet - AppGate Cyber Advisory Services Overview](https://www.appgate.com/resources/appgate-resource-cen/threat-advisory-services-overview) Download the data sheet to learn how our specialized Cyber Advisory consultants and services can uncover vulnerabilities and security gaps so you can proactively harden your defenses. #### ZTNA Implementation Services **Services That Set You Up for Success** It is important to set clear objectives and assign dedicated resources to achieve rapid ROI. Our highly skilled Professional Services team supports efficient onboarding for AppGate ZTNA customers and advises on best practices to ensure optimum results. #### From Core to Customized Options, Our ZTNA Implementation Packages Cover All Your Needs - **Core** Core deployment includes support for initial installation, access configuration and user acceptance testing for AppGate ZTNA production rollout. - **Add-On** Stand-alone or add-on services can be procured to further optimize and expand your AppGate ZTNA instance and support overall goals. - **Custom** Custom services can replace or enhance standard implementation and pre-defined offerings to meet new or current customers' business needs. ## 11. Certifications & Compliance - FIPS 140-3 : This compliance indicates that AppGate ZTNA meets the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-3, which sets the benchmark for cryptographic modules protecting sensitive information. This compliance is crucial for federal agencies and organizations that handle sensitive data. - SOC 2 Type 2 : This compliance ensures that AppGate ZTNA adheres to rigorous security and privacy controls, safeguarding data across cloud and hybrid environments. SOC 2 Type 2 compliance demonstrates a high level of trustworthiness in AppGate ZTNA's service delivery and data protection practices, following a Zero Trust approach. - NIAP Common Criteria : Achieving EAL2+ under the Common Criteria certification process demonstrates that AppGate ZTNA has undergone a thorough evaluation against internationally recognized standards for security and trustworthiness. This certification assures customers of the product's ability to protect sensitive information and resist unauthorized access. AppGate ZTNA is the only ZTNA solution to achieve Common Criteria certification meeting the most stringent security requirements for government agencies. - NIAP Protection Profile : This certification confirms that AppGate ZTNA *Client 6.4* has been validated by NIAP for compliance with the Protection Profile for Application Software with the Functional Package for TLS, ensuring it meets the rigorous security requirements necessary for deployment in classified and mission-critical U.S. government environments. - NIST 800-53 : AppGate ZTNA features correspond to specific controls defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the NIST SP 800-53 Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations publication - DISA Category Assurance List (CAL) Approval : This approval signifies that AppGate ZTNA is accredited to run in specific environments within the DOD, meeting the Defense Information Systems Agency's (DISA) stringent security and compliance standards for mission application-level accreditation. - DoD Authority to Operate IL2 – IL6+ : AppGate ZTNA has received Authority to Operate across the DOD Impact Levels, from IL2 to IL6+. This authorization enables AppGate ZTNA to safeguard sensitive information, including data classified up to the Secret level. - U.S. Military Command Penetration Tested : AppGate ZTNA has been rigorously tested by U.S. Cyber Command, Army Cyber and Air Force Cyber. The solution received a high-mission impact/low-risk rating, indicating its strong security measures and its ability to protect against cyber threats effectively. - CMMC 2.0 : DoD Contractor Compliance - Enforce access controls and protect controlled unclassified information (CUI). - Least-Privilege Access: Limit exposure of CUI - Audit Trails: Demonstrable access and configuration logs - Integration with FedRAMP/FISMA processes where applicable - NIST Framework : Federal Compliance - Align cybersecurity with federal guidelines. - Zero Trust Architecture: Enforces least privilege - NIAP Certification: Validates security capabilities - Federal Expertise: Proven record with DoD branches - PCI DSS : Securing Cardholder Data - Protect CDEs by securing networks and restricting access. - Microsegmentation: Isolate CDEs - Reduced Attack Surface: Cloaks servers with SPA - Continuous Monitoring: Real-time policy enforcement - DORA : Digital Operational Resilience Act - Ensure ICT operational resilience for financial entities. - Resilience Controls: Maintain access controls and continuity plans - Incident Reporting Support: Detailed timelines and forensic logs - Third-Party Risk Management: Secure third-party access with fine-grained policies - HIPAA : Safeguarding PHI - Protect PHI privacy and security. - Granular Access Control: Role and context-based - Secure Remote Access: VPN replacement - Activity Logging: Audit trails for compliance - ISA / IEC 62443 : Industrial Control System Security - Secure OT and industrial control systems. - ZTNA for OT: Protect controllers and HMIs with identity-centric policies - Microsegmentation: Isolate industrial zones - Policy Enforcement: Enforce device posture and allowed communications - GDPR : Protecting EU Citizen Data - Protect personal data, enforce consent, manage cross-border transfers. - Zero Trust Access: Authorized user-only access - Secure Data Transfers: EU-U.S. DPF support and data routing controls - Audit-Ready Logging: Detailed access logs for auditors - POPIA : Protection of Personal Information Act - Protect personal information and meet data subject rights. - Data Subject Controls: Enable access, correction, and portability workflows - Secure Transfers: Control where and how data flows - Logging & Monitoring: Support compliance investigations - LFPDPPP : Ley Federal de Protección de Datos Personales en Posesión de los Particulares - Mexico's data protection framework for personal data processing. - Access Controls: Role-based and contextual access - Transfer Controls: Manage cross-border flows - Audit Logging: Support regulatory reporting - LGPD : Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados - Protect personal data of Brazilian residents and meet local transfer rules. - Data Localization Options: Route and limit processing locations - Consent and Access Controls: Enforce user-level restrictions - Forensic Logs: Support breach notification and response - GLBA : Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act - Ensure compliance and protect sensitive financial data with ZTNA built to meet GLBA requirements for access control, data security, and audit accountability. - Access Controls: Restrict access to sensitive financial data based on role and risk context - Data Security: Encrypt and monitor customer financial information in transit and at rest - Audit & Accountability: Track access and changes to financial records to support regulatory compliance - CISA Zero Trust Maturity Model 2.0 : Align with CISA’s Zero Trust Maturity Model 2.0 for a strategic, phased approach to security. - Identity & Access Management: Continuously verify users and devices for every access request - Segment-of-One Access: Grant only the access each user needs, when they need it - Visibility & Analytics: Monitor all access and activity to inform risk-based decisions - Data Protection: Encrypt and secure sensitive data based on context - Automation & Orchestration: Apply policy-driven controls to streamline adoption - TSA Security Directive Pipeline : 2021-02D - Strengthen security of pipeline and critical infrastructure operations against cyber threats. - Least-Privilege Access: Limit access to operational systems - Continuous Monitoring: Detect anomalous behavior in OT and IT environments - Segmentation: Prevent lateral movement between business and operational networks - IRS 1075 : Enforce least-privilege access and ensure full compliance with IRS 1075 to protect federal tax information (FTI). - Access Controls: Enforce least-privilege access to FTI based on identity and device posture - Data Protection: Encrypt federal tax information in transit and at rest - Audit & Reporting: Maintain detailed logs to support IRS audits and compliance evidence - NIS2 : Strengthen cybersecurity resilience and demonstrate compliance with NIS2 requirements. - Zero Trust Access Controls: Enforce least-privilege policies to secure critical infrastructure and essential services. - Continuous Verification: Monitor users, devices, and context in real time to prevent unauthorized access. - Audit-Ready Visibility: Maintain detailed logs of access activity to support incident reporting and regulatory audits. - Schrems II - Demonstrate lawful international data transfers and supplementary safeguards post-Schrems II. - Direct-Routed Architecture: Control over data path to reduce transfer exposures - Data Localization Controls: Route or restrict flows per country policy - Enhanced Logging: Prove where data was processed and accessed ## 12. The Total Economic Impact™ of AppGate ZTNA ### Executive Summary Organizations shift to decentralized, cloud-first environments to grow, innovate, and reduce costs. As they lean into modern cloud and AI technologies, they increasingly face sophisticated cyberthreats from these same opportunities. Firms must ensure secure, compliant Zero Trust network access (ZTNA) across hybrid infrastructures without relying on legacy perimeter-based models. Modern infrastructure built on secure and resilient network access helps organizations reduce risk, simplify identity and entitlement management, and adapt to dynamic threat landscapes.1 AppGate ZTNA delivers a secure, purpose-built ZTNA solution that enables organizations to protect critical resources and achieve measurable business outcomes that are often left unserved by multifunction or cloud-routed platforms. Its low-latency, contextual access for explicit authorization creates direct, encrypted connections between users and resources. With a software-defined perimeter and the use of single-packet authorization (SPA), AppGate ZTNA confers unique cloaking and network obfuscation capabilities, avoids vendor-controlled cloud routing, and minimizes exposure to shared infrastructure risks. Its Zero Trust architecture, distributed enforcement model, and API-first design streamlines network complexity; enables scalable, resilient access across hybrid environments; reduces attack surfaces; and supports automation, integration, and dynamic policy control. AppGate commissioned Forrester Consulting to conduct a Total Economic Impact™ (TEI) study and examine the potential return on investment (ROI) enterprises may realize by deploying ZTNA and to demonstrate the value of choosing a vendor that is exclusively focused on secure access.2 The purpose of this study is to provide readers with a framework to evaluate the potential financial impact of ZTNA on their organizations. - 210% Return on investment (ROI) - $11.6M Net present value (NPV) - To better understand the benefits, costs, and risks associated with this investment, Forrester interviewed four decision-makers with experience using AppGate ZTNA. For the purposes of this study, Forrester aggregated the experiences of the interviewees and combined the results into a single composite organization that is a multibillion-dollar, globally distributed organization with advanced workloads, including agentic AI. Interviewees said that prior to using ZTNA, their organizations struggled to maintain costly, hardware-laden network architectures. Their organizations previously faced frequent disruptions and security risks due to complex routing environments and legacy access models, while managing secure access often demanded significant manual effort from dedicated resources. Downtime resulted in measurable efficiency losses while scaling limitations hindered business growth. After their investment in AppGate ZTNA, interviewees reported that their organizations reduced the potential impact of insider and other internal threats by putting into practice foundational principles of least-privilege, separation of duties, and segmentation. These efforts improved their security and compliance posture, even when scaling protection across large numbers of users. The solution’s ease of use and responsiveness enabled the interviewees’ smaller teams to maintain large technology estates more efficiently than their prior environments. This increased end-user productivity and lowered labor costs while ensuring a resilient security and compliance posture across highly distributed, hybrid, and mobile scenarios. #### Key Findings **Quantified benefits.** Three-year, risk-adjusted present value (PV) quantified benefits for the composite organization include: - A 50% reduction in networking technology and management costs. With AppGate ZTNA, the composite organization eliminates routing inefficiencies, reduces hardware dependency, and decommissions unnecessary software and SaaS solutions. This optimized network infrastructure leverages an approach that lowers capital expenses and simplifies administration for total network infrastructure and management cost savings of $4.2 million. - A 75% improvement in end-user productivity. With AppGate ZTNA, the composite supports high-performance secure access at scale. It enables direct, encrypted tunnels between users and resources on demand, reducing latency and complexity. This streamlines the remote-user experience and reduces the amount of time users spend onboarding and seeking support for user issues, helping the composite increase end-user productivity by $4.1 million. - An 80% reduction in exposure to costly data breaches. The composite organization strengthens its cyber defenses with AppGate ZTNA in part by making networks invisible to unauthorized users and automatically adjusting access based on device compliance and risk posture. By delivering secure, adaptive access across diverse and constantly changing environments with AppGate ZTNA, the composite organization reduces its exposure to costly data breaches by $3.1 million. - An 80% increase in uptime hours from improved network availability and resilience. With AppGate ZTNA’s modular architecture and controller-based failover, the composite organization minimizes downtime disruption, keeping infrastructure operating more smoothly with higher availability for more remote users. As a result of the improved availability and resilience, the composite saves $955,000. - A 50% reduction in effort needed to secure and scale network access across environments. With AppGate ZTNA, the composite organization automates onboarding and provisioning workflows, streamlines policy and entitlement management, and reduces labor effort for security and operations (SecOps), NetOps, infrastructure, and user management. The cumulative labor savings for IT resources amount to $1.7 million over three years. - A 90% increase in speed for time to revenue opening and integrating new sites. Due to the on-demand AppGate ZTNA’s direct-routed architecture, the composite organization shortens previously lengthy planning hardware procurement cycles and resource-intensive infrastructure deployments when opening new sites. AppGate’s flexible, API-first architecture provides IT teams with full programmability to automate, integrate, and scale new sites. This improved agility and enhanced scalability helps the composite organization improve profit by over $3.0 million over the investment period when compared to the prior environment. **Unquantified benefits**. Benefits that provide value for the composite organization but are not quantified for this study include: - Improved regulatory compliance and cybersecurity insurance posture. AppGate ZTNA strengthens compliance and cybersecurity insurance posture for the composite by providing flexible, software-defined controls, detailed access visibility, and dynamic tunneling capabilities that supports evolving regulatory needs and improves cyber risk management. - Improved product quality. AppGate ZTNA improves the composite’s product quality by enabling developers to maintain uninterrupted, secure access to their work environments, allowing faster task completion and a more responsive development cycle. - Increased remote work-related benefits. AppGate ZTNA enables secure remote work at scale for the composite by allowing employees to access critical systems from any location while maintaining strong access controls, improving workforce flexibility without compromising security. **Costs**. Three-year, risk-adjusted PV costs for the composite organization include: - AppGate ZTNA. The composite organization supports 25,000 users per month for total AppGate ZTNA costs of $5.5 million over the investment period. - Deployment and management. The composite organization dedicates 240 IT resource hours within a five-week period to stand up its AppGate ZTNA environment. It requires approximately one-tenth of one FTE to manage the AppGate ZTNA environment. Deployment and management costs total $58,000 for the composite. The financial analysis that is based on the interviews found that a composite organization experiences benefits of $17.1 million over three years versus costs of $5.5 million, adding up to a net present value (NPV) of $11.6 million and an ROI of 210%.## 13. Federal & DoD Security FAQ ### Department of Defense (DoD) #### What are the key cybersecurity requirements for DoD networks? DoD networks must comply with NIST 800-171, DFARS, and CMMC 2.0, requiring protection of CUI, strict least-privilege access controls, and continuous monitoring. Solutions must also minimize exposure and reduce attack surface across mission-critical environments. #### How does AppGate support CMMC 2.0 and NIST compliance? AppGate ZTNA enforces identity-based, least-privilege access with detailed logging and policy enforcement that directly map to required controls. Its direct-routed architecture reduces unnecessary exposure by preventing full network access. #### Why is direct-routed ZTNA important for DoD environments? Unlike cloud-proxied ZTNA that routes traffic through external infrastructure, AppGate ZTNA connects users directly to authorized applications. This reduces latency, avoids dependency on public cloud intermediaries, and maintains tighter operational control for mission-critical systems. #### Can AppGate ZTNA provide resilient access to mission-critical DoD applications? Yes. AppGate ZTNA's direct-routed architecture supports multiple distributed gateways, eliminating single cloud choke points and improving availability and performance during disruptions. Learn more about AppGate Federal. #### Is AppGate ZTNA authorized for use in IL6+ environments? Yes. AppGate ZTNA has achieved ATO (Authority to Operate) in IL6+ environments, validating its suitability for highly sensitive and classified DoD workloads while maintaining zero-trust enforcement. #### Has AppGate ZTNA been independently tested and certified? Yes. AppGate ZTNA has undergone extensive security validation, including: U.S. Military Command Pen Tested: Tested by U.S. Cyber Command, Army Cyber, and Air Force Cyber with a high-mission impact/low-risk rating. NIAP Common Criteria EAL: Only solution certified to meet the most stringent government security requirements. FIPS 140-3 Compliant: Meets NIST cryptographic standards. Certificate to Field (CtF) for Platform One: Mission application-level accreditation for specific DoD environments. NCCoE and NIST Contributions: Select contributor to Zero Trust implementation guides. NIAP Protection Profile (Client 6.4): Trusted solution for handling classified data in secure U.S. Government environments. Defense Industrial Base (DIB) #### How does AppGate protect controlled unclassified information (CUI) in DIB networks? AppGate ZTNA cloaks internal infrastructure and provides direct, identity-based access only to authorized applications storing CUI. Users never gain broad network visibility, significantly reducing lateral movement risk. #### How does direct-routed architecture benefit DIB organizations? AppGate ZTNA direct-routed architecture allows contractors and suppliers to securely access required applications without backhauling traffic through third-party clouds. This improves performance, reduces complexity, and supports tighter data control. #### How does AppGate support secure access for contractors and vendors? AppGate ZTNA enables granular, role-based, and time-bound policies that restrict contractors to only the applications they need, delivered through secure direct connections rather than full network tunnels. #### Can AppGate be fully deployed on-premises for DIB compliance? Yes. AppGate ZTNA can operate entirely on-premises, allowing DIB organizations to maintain strict data sovereignty while leveraging direct-routed zero-trust access. ### State & Local Government #### How can AppGate secure access to state and local government applications? AppGate ZTNA provides identity-based access directly to authorized applications, eliminating traditional VPN-style network exposure and reducing the attack surface. #### How does direct-routed ZTNA improve performance for public sector users? By connecting users directly to applications instead of routing traffic through centralized cloud proxies, AppGate ZTNA reduces latency and improves user experience for distributed agencies. #### Can AppGate support hybrid or cloud environments common in state and local IT? Yes. AppGate ZTNA supports hybrid deployments and enforces consistent zero-trust policies across on-premises and cloud systems without forcing all traffic through a third-party cloud intermediary. #### How does AppGate enable secure remote work for government employees? With AppGate ZTNA employees authenticate via identity and device posture verification, then connect directly to authorized applications through secure gateways — without exposing the broader network. ### Air Gapped, DDIL & Intermittent Environments #### How does AppGate operate in intermittent connectivity environments? In intermittent connectivity environments, AppGate ZTNA enforces access locally at the gateway once entitlements have been issued by the controller. Because traffic is direct-routed between client and gateway, session traffic does not require continuous communication with a centralized cloud proxy. Policy distribution occurs through the controller, while gateways handle active session enforcement. Deployment design and redundancy planning determine resilience during degraded network conditions. #### Can policies be cached? AppGate ZTNA distributes policy and entitlement information from the controller to enforcement gateways. Once policies are received, gateways apply those rules to session establishment and traffic flow. This distributed enforcement model allows access decisions to be evaluated locally based on previously synchronized policy state. Specific caching behavior depends on deployment configuration and operational design. #### How are credentials validated offline? Authentication typically occurs through the configured identity provider prior to entitlement issuance. In constrained or disconnected environments, access continuity depends on previously validated identity state and active session conditions. New authentication events generally require communication with the identity provider and controller. Architectural planning should consider identity validation dependencies in DDIL scenarios. #### What happens during long controller disconnects? During controller disruption, gateways continue to enforce existing policies for active sessions based on previously issued entitlements. The controller is responsible for distributing new or updated policies, while gateways manage established connections. Extended controller unavailability may prevent new entitlement issuance or policy changes until connectivity is restored. High-availability controller design and redundancy strategies are recommended for mission-critical environments. #### Can entitlements persist temporarily? Entitlements are defined and issued by the controller and enforced at the gateway. Active sessions continue to operate according to their established entitlements until policy reevaluation or session termination occurs. Temporary persistence of session state depends on deployment configuration and timeout settings. Organizations operating in DDIL environments should design policy lifetimes and reevaluation intervals in alignment with mission requirements. ### AI-Specific Architecture #### Can AppGate isolate model-to-model communication? Yes. AppGate ZTNA can isolate model-to-model communication by enforcing identity-based, application-specific access policies between services. Each workload or model can be treated as a distinct identity within the policy framework, with entitlements defined for specific API endpoints or services. Because connections are established only when policy conditions are satisfied, unauthorized east-west communication between models can be restricted. This supports segmentation within AI environments without relying solely on network-level controls. #### Can AI agents be segmented from human users? Yes. AI agents can be segmented from human users through identity-defined policies that distinguish between user identities and non-human service identities. AppGate ZTNA evaluates identity attributes, device or workload context, and policy conditions before granting access to applications or APIs. By assigning distinct entitlements to agents and human operators, organizations can prevent privilege overlap and reduce unintended access exposure. This supports controlled interaction between automation systems and user populations. #### How does ZTNA protect inference APIs? ZTNA protects inference APIs by requiring identity verification and policy evaluation before establishing application-level connectivity. AppGate ZTNA cloaks protected services until authentication and entitlement checks are satisfied, reducing exposure to unauthorized scanning or direct access attempts. Because access is defined per application rather than per network segment, inference endpoints can be limited to approved identities and workloads. This reduces the risk of overexposed AI services. #### Can AI workloads be cloaked from unauthorized networks? Yes. AppGate ZTNA’s use of Single Packet Authorization and identity-bound session establishment allows applications and services to remain effectively invisible until trust conditions are met. AI workloads and APIs are not broadly exposed on the network and respond only to authenticated, policy-compliant connection attempts. This cloaking approach reduces unsolicited discovery attempts and narrows the visible attack surface within AI environments. #### How does AppGate enforce least privilege for non-human identities? AppGate ZTNA enforces least privilege for non-human identities by defining explicit entitlements tied to service accounts, workloads, or automation agents. Access policies evaluate identity attributes and contextual conditions before allowing communication with specific applications or APIs. Because entitlements are granular and application-scoped, non-human identities receive only the permissions required for their defined function. This supports Zero Trust enforcement across both human and machine actors. ### Strategic Considerations #### Why move from VPN to ZTNA now? Organizations are moving from VPN to ZTNA because traditional network-based access models grant broad connectivity that no longer aligns with modern threat conditions or distributed work patterns. VPN places users on the network, increasing lateral movement exposure and operational complexity. ZTNA replaces implicit network trust with identity-centric, application-specific access controls. As enterprises adopt hybrid work, cloud infrastructure, and third-party collaboration, granular Zero Trust access becomes more aligned with risk management objectives. #### What business risks does ZTNA reduce? ZTNA reduces business risk by limiting unnecessary network exposure, constraining lateral movement, and enforcing least-privilege access at the application level. By replacing broad connectivity with identity-bound entitlements, organizations reduce the potential impact of credential compromise and ransomware propagation. This model supports stronger governance, auditability, and compliance alignment. Reduced attack surface and improved visibility contribute to operational resilience. #### How does direct-routed architecture impact resilience? Direct-routed architecture supports resilience by avoiding mandatory centralized traffic backhaul through external proxy infrastructure. AppGate ZTNA’s deployment model allows enforcement gateways to be placed close to applications and users, reducing dependency on single inspection hubs. Distributed policy enforcement can improve performance predictability and reduce architectural bottlenecks. Resilience outcomes depend on redundancy design and deployment planning. #### What is the strategic difference between SASE and ZTNA? SASE is a broad framework that combines networking and security services, while ZTNA focuses specifically on identity-centric access to applications. ZTNA can be deployed independently or as part of a broader architecture strategy. The strategic distinction lies in whether an organization prioritizes application-level Zero Trust enforcement as a standalone control layer or consumes access as one component of a bundled service. Architectural decisions depend on control requirements, sovereignty needs, and operational design preferences. #### Why choose AppGate over bundled SASE vendors? An enterprise may choose AppGate ZTNA over bundled SASE offerings when it requires direct control over access enforcement, data routing, and deployment topology. AppGate’s direct-routed, controller-based architecture allows organizations to place gateways within their own environments rather than relying solely on vendor-managed cloud proxies. This can support data sovereignty, performance control, and architectural flexibility. Selection criteria should align with risk tolerance, regulatory constraints, and infrastructure strategy. ## 14. Glossary - **Cloaking**: secures systems by rendering servers, devices, and applications entirely invisible to unauthorized users. - **Microsegmentation**: a cybersecurity technique that divides a large, flat network into highly granular, isolated security zones. - **NIST SP 800-207**: a foundational cybersecurity framework that defines Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA). It operates on the core principle of "never trust, always verify", moving security away from traditional, network-perimeter-based defenses to a resource-centric model where every access request requires continuous authentication and authorization - **User claim scripts**: Scripts that are used to generate additional user claims used in Policy assignment, Entitlements, and Conditions. - **Device Claim scripts**: Scripts that create device claims.These scripts run in the Client and collect attributes that are sent back to the Controller or Gateway to set device claim values. - **Device Claims**: May be used in Policies and Conditions as criteria to control the assignment and authorization of Entitlements based on context. - **Criteria script**: Used to define scripted rules that assign Policies to users and pushes auto-updates of the Client to devices. - **Entitlement script**: Used to define the elements that make up an Entitlement. - **Client profile group**: A group of Client profiles that are used for cross-Collective HA. - **Client profile**: Includes the profile name and the minimum amount of information required for a Client to connect to an AppGate Controller. - **Application discovery**: Allows organizations to identify which applications users are connecting to and create related Policies and Entitlements. - **Metrics Aggregator**: An appliance that collects, groups by Site, and exports Prometheus metrics from the Collective. - **LogForwarder**: An appliance that is deployed to export logs by Site. - **User claims**: Used as criteria in Policies to control who Entitlements are assigned to. They can also be used in Conditions to decided when to allow Entitlements. - **Token**: A digital key used to authenticate and authorize users or devices, enabling secure access to resources. - **Site**: In AppGate ZTNA, a Site refers to a group of networks or resources reachable from a Gateway. - **Single packet authorization (SPA) key**: Used in the Collective to allow peer-to-peer connections. - **Resource group**: A selection of local resources that share the same access rights, or Policy, and have their traffic handled by a single Client instance in a Connector. - **Portal**: A web-based interface that allows users to access resources without requiring a standalone Client. It serves as a reverse proxy for user traffic. - **Policies**: Assign rights to users or devices after successful login. The five different classes of Policies in AppGate are Access, Admin, Device, DNS, and Stop. - **MFA provider**: Supports multifactor authentication in the AppGate system. the MFA provider can be the built-in provider or an external RADIUS system. - **Name resolver**: Provides support for Cloud resolvers as well as hostname resolution. - **LogServer: an appliance that collects logs from other members of the Collective, providing an audit trail of actions and user access.**: - **IP pool**: Used to allocate an internal IP address to the Client once the user has been authenticated. - **Identity provider**: External systems required for users or devices to authenticate, such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) or Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML). - **Headless Client**: Clients that run without a UI in the background and enable unattended systems, such as servers or container instances, to connect to the AppGate system. - **Gateway**: An appliance that acts as an enforcement point, controlling user access to protected resources. - **Entitlement token**: Contains the list of a user’s Entitlements for each specific Site. - **DNS forwarder: The DNS-forwarder supports hostname resolution and sub-domain resolution.**: - **Connector: A component that extends connectivity to remote sites and unmanaged resources without requiring the use of a standalone Client.**: - **Conditions**: Contain claims-based access criteria expressions that must equate to true for an Action or Actions specified in an Entitlement to be allowed. - **Collective**: A group of appliances configured and managed together. - **Client certificate**: Issued to the Client by the Controller. The Client uses this certificate to establish mutual trust between the Client and Gateways and to establish a secure tunnel. - **Claims token**: A signed file containing validated trusted Claims related to the identity and context of the Client. The Claims token is provided to the Client by the Controller on successful user authentication. - **Claims**: Key-value pairs related to the identity and content of the user or device and are specific to each session. - **CA certificate**: The CA (Certificate Authority) on which trust between Client and appliances within a Collective is based. A self-signed certificate is generated when the first Controller is started and is used to establish the Controller as the trusted authority for tokens, certificates, and TLS connections. - **Assignment criteria**: Claims-based expressions in a policy. When a claim matches the assignment criteria, a Policy can be assigned to a user. Policy assignment criteria are configured as part of the Policy configuration. - **Appliance**: The virtual or physical instance on which the system is running. Each appliance is a stateless, configurable machine that can operate as a single function or a combination of functions. - **Alerts**: Internal system alerts are generated when an action is attempted by the Client, such as when the Client attempts to access a particular resource. Alerts are configured within an Entitlement. - **Access criteria**: Access criteria are claims-based expressions defined in Conditions that control conditional access at the Gateway. An Entitlement will only be allowed when a user's claims match the access criteria in the associated Condition. Access criteria expressions are configured within the Condition UI. - **Policy**: A Policy is a set of rules that govern access control and permissions for users and devices within the Appgate ZTNA system. Policies determine what resources users can access based on their entitlements. - **Entitlement**: A defined access right or permission granted to users or devices, allowing them to access specific resources or functionalities within the Appgate ZTNA system. - **SDP**: Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) is a security framework that creates a secure boundary around an organization's resources, allowing access based on user identity and context, thereby implementing a zero-trust security model. - **DNS**: Domain Name System, a hierarchical system for naming resources on the internet. - **Controller**: The Controller is the central management appliance in the Appgate ZTNA system, responsible for user authentication, policy distribution, and overall system administration. - **Client**: The application used by end-users to connect to the Appgate ZTNA system, providing secure access to resources. - **Tags**: Labels assigned to entitlements or resources that help categorize and manage them within the Appgate ZTNA system. - **DDIL (Denied, Degraded, Intermittent and Limited Bandwidth)**: Operating conditions where network connectivity is unreliable, restricted or unavailable for periods of time, common in tactical edge, military, industrial control and critical infrastructure environments. Security architectures for DDIL environments must enforce access controls and sustain operations without persistent connectivity to a central policy service. AppGate ZTNA's direct-routed model supports DDIL environments by allowing established sessions to continue under pre-issued entitlements when controller connectivity is interrupted. - **Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)**: A security framework that denies access by default and grants it only after verifying a user's identity, device posture and context against policy. Authenticated users receive least-privilege entitlements scoped to specific resources, not broad network access. ZTNA replaces the "connect first, authenticate second" model of legacy virtual private network (VPN) infrastructure.