Use Microsoft Entra Private Access to move from broad VPN access to per-app connectivity, phased rollout, and Zero Trust controls.
Traditional VPNs no longer fit the security or agility needs of modern enterprises. Static tunnels, device trust assumptions, and network-level access introduce risk in a Zero Trust world.
Microsoft Entra Private Access offers a different path. As a component of Global Secure Access, it is designed to replace traditional VPN access to private resources with identity-driven, per-app connectivity. That distinction matters: Global Secure Access is the broader Security Service Edge framework, while Microsoft Entra Private Access is the component most directly aligned to VPN replacement for private applications.
This guide provides a practical, phased strategy to replace VPN with identity-driven, secure access services provided by Microsoft Entra Private Access.
Start here:
Why replace VPN now
As organizations embrace hybrid work, cloud services, and Zero Trust security models, VPNs often become a source of both security and operational challenges. By design, VPNs extend network connectivity to remote users, frequently providing access to more resources than necessary. This approach conflicts with the principle of least privilege and increases the potential impact of compromised accounts or devices.
VPN infrastructure can also create operational overhead. Organizations must maintain gateways, manage capacity, monitor performance, and address availability concerns. Split-tunnel configurations, while often necessary for performance, can introduce visibility gaps that attackers can exploit.
At the same time, attackers continue to target remote access infrastructure using stolen credentials, phishing campaigns, and MFA fatigue attacks. Replacing VPNs with identity-driven access reduces the attack surface, enforces granular access controls, and delivers a more seamless experience for users
Read more: Identity Under Attack: How AI Learns to Defend
Step 1: Understand your private application landscape
A successful VPN modernization project begins with visibility. Start by identifying the private applications, file shares, and internal web resources that currently rely on VPN connectivity. Understanding who uses these resources, from where, and on what devices will help determine migration priorities.
Organizations should evaluate workloads based on factors such as business criticality, sensitivity of data, user impact, and overall migration complexity. Applications supporting functions such as finance, HR, or other sensitive business processes often benefit most from early planning and careful validation.
Read more: Global Secure Access deployment guide
Step 2: Strengthen your Zero Trust foundation
Before migrating access, verify that the identity and device controls necessary for Zero Trust are already in place.
Strong authentication should be enforced through Microsoft Entra Conditional Access, with multifactor authentication required for all applicable users and applications. Devices should be evaluated for compliance and health through Microsoft Intune or another trusted device management solution before access is granted.
Organizations should also review emergency access accounts, existing exclusions, and report-only policies to ensure they understand the potential impact of new access controls before transitioning users away from VPN-based connectivity.
Read more: Zero Trust strategy guide
Step 3: Deploy Microsoft Entra Private Access for per-app connectivity
Microsoft Entra Private Access enables secure connectivity to private resources without exposing the broader network. Instead of creating network-level trust through a VPN tunnel, access decisions are made dynamically based on identity, device status, and policy.
Implementation begins by deploying Private Network Connectors close to the applications and resources that users need to reach. Organizations can then define application-level access policies that limit users to only the resources required for their roles.
A pilot deployment with a small group of users provides an opportunity to validate application behavior, performance, authentication flows, and the overall user experience. During this phase, IT teams should update operational procedures, validate support processes, and test fallback scenarios to ensure business continuity.
After successful validation, organizations can expand deployment in phases, using metrics such as sign-in success rates, user feedback, help desk volume, and policy effectiveness to guide rollout decisions.
Read more: Global Secure Access operations guide
Step 4: Automate monitoring and risk response
Replacing VPN infrastructure is only one part of a Zero Trust strategy. Organizations should also establish continuous monitoring and risk-based response capabilities.
By correlating user risk, device signals, and session activity, security teams can gain greater visibility into suspicious behavior and potential compromise. AI-powered detections can help identify attacks such as
MFA fatigue attempts, unusual sign-in patterns, and other indicators of identity-based threats.
Integrating identity and session telemetry into Microsoft Sentinel enables security operations teams to investigate incidents more efficiently and automate response workflows across their environment.
Read more: Identity Under Attack: How AI Learns to Defend
Step 5: Retire VPN responsibly
Once applications have been successfully migrated and validated through Microsoft Entra Private Access, organizations can begin retiring VPN dependencies for those resources.
The transition should include documented fallback procedures, governance updates, and compliance reviews to ensure operational continuity. Decommissioning VPN access incrementally helps reduce risk while simplifying the user experience and lowering operational overhead.
Use the VPN replacement checklist from the operations guide for a smooth cutover.
Key takeaways
Traditional VPNs introduce security risks and operational complexity that can make Zero Trust adoption more difficult. Microsoft Entra Private Access provides a modern alternative by replacing broad network access with identity-driven, per-app connectivity.
By taking a phased approach that starts with visibility, builds on strong identity controls, and continuously monitors risk, organizations can modernize remote access, improve user experience, and strengthen security without disrupting critical business operations.
Sule Tatar – Senior Product Marketing Manager at IDNA
Additional resources
- Zero Trust implementation guide
- Global Secure Access deployment guide
- Run Global Secure Access like a pro
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.
- Microsoft Entra News and Insights | Microsoft Security Blog
- Microsoft Entra blog | Tech Community
- Microsoft Entra documentation | Microsoft Learn
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