Secure access begins with a unified strategy—breakdown silos across identity and network access to strengthen your Zero Trust posture.
I often hear from our customers and partners how cyberattacks continue advancing and often target the gaps between disjointed identity security tools and the teams that manage them. As hybrid work expands, AI adoption accelerates, and tool sprawl increases, the need for a unified, AI-powered security posture is more urgent than ever.
Earlier this year we collaborated with The Wall Street Journal to develop a series of articles that explore the evolving landscape of identity and secure access. It draws on insights from Microsoft leaders, third-party experts, and research conducted across a broad set of industry CISOs. Each article offers a unique perspective on how organizations can modernize secure access strategies. Together, they provide a comprehensive view of how to unify identity and network security to reduce risk, improve security, simplify operations, and accelerate Zero Trust adoption.
Bridging the gap between identity and network security
Kicking off the series, the first article lays the foundation for a modern security strategy—one that breaks down long-standing silos between identity and network security teams. It emphasizes that fragmented approaches are no longer sufficient in the face of increasingly sophisticated threats. Instead, organizations must adopt integrated solutions that unify access controls and foster cross-functional collaboration.
Key takeaways:
- Aligning identity and network security teams is essential to building a cohesive and resilient defense strategy.
- Unified access controls improve visibility, reduce operational complexity, and streamline response.
- A consolidated approach creates a strong foundation for Zero Trust implementation.
Advancing Zero Trust with unified access controls
The second article explores the risks that arise when identity and network access are managed in silos. As organizations adopt more tools and teams operate independently, complexity grows—along with the potential for misconfigurations and security gaps. The article emphasizes the importance of streamlining access controls and aligning cross-functional teams to strengthen Zero Trust strategies.
Key takeaways:
- A unified approach to identity and network access reduces complexity and strengthens security posture.
- Cross-team collaboration—especially between identity and network operations—is critical to achieving Zero Trust outcomes.
- Many organizations still lack adequate controls for managing access to AI applications.
Reimagine secure access with a unified approach
The third article explores how the convergence of hybrid work, AI, and tool sprawl is reshaping access security. It highlights the need for organizations to consolidate their security stack and foster collaboration across teams to reduce friction and improve outcomes. Drawing on insights from the latest research by Microsoft, the article underscores the urgency of adopting a unified, AI-powered approach to secure access.
Key takeaways:
- Organizations with fragmented security tools are more likely to experience breaches and operational inefficiencies.
- Security and IT leaders overwhelmingly agree that closer collaboration improves both protection and productivity.
- Despite the rise of AI, many organizations still lack adequate controls to manage the associated risks.
Discover how Microsoft Entra empowers your organization to thrive in the AI era with unified, secure access solutions designed to protect your workforce and streamline identity management.
-- Irina Nechaeva
Additional resources
- Visit the Microsoft Entra Suite trial page to get started.
- Read the report Secure employee access in the age of AI.
Learn more about Microsoft Entra
Prevent identity attacks, ensure least privilege access, unify access controls, and improve the experience for users with comprehensive identity and network access solutions across on-premises and clouds.
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