Introduction

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is now crucial in cybersecurity, moving away from traditional remote access like VPNs to protect organizational data and resources. One common query we receive is, “When is it more practical to use a clientless solution over a client solution?”

Both client-based and browser-based ZTNA approaches are equally secure with the right tools. The choice depends on the specific secure workflow required by the user. This article aims to clarify each solution type, aiding your organization in making an informed decision.

What is Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)?

Definition and Principles

ZTNA is a security concept that assumes no user or device is trustworthy by default, regardless of their location. It requires continuous verification and validation of access requests, ensuring only authorized users can access specific resources.

Importance in Modern Cybersecurity

As cyber threats become more sophisticated, traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer sufficient. ZTNA offers a robust alternative, focusing on granular access control and minimizing attack surfaces.

Client-based vs. Clientless ZTNA Overview

ZTNA can be implemented using client-based or clientless approaches. Client-based ZTNA requires software installation on user devices, while clientless ZTNA leverages browser-based access.

Client-Based Zero Trust Network Access

Features and Capabilities

Client-based ZTNA offers advanced access features that provide users with a local-like experience when accessing remote resources. It also includes robust security features such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and continuous monitoring.

Advantages

• Comprehensive security controls
• Better resource access and peripheral integration
• Supports a wide range of applications

Limitations

• Requires software installation and maintenance
• Potential compatibility issues with some devices

Use Cases

Client-based ZTNA is suitable for industries that need rigorous security and heavy control of user devices, such as financial services and healthcare. For instance, client-based ZTNA in financial services ensures safe access to sensitive data and perfectly integrates with peripherals, such as biometric authentication devices and secure transaction terminals, thereby ensuring both security and the best user experience.

In heavily regulated industries like healthcare, ZTNA must be client-based to access EHRs safely and to be able to synchronize with medical devices in a compliant way, providing health practitioners with a user-friendly interface.

Clientless Zero Trust Network Access

Features and Capabilities

Clientless ZTNA offers secure access through web browsers, eliminating the need for software installation. This approach provides:

• Ease of Access: Users can securely connect from any device with a web browser, ensuring flexibility and convenience.
• Reduced IT Overhead: Simplifies management and deployment, as there is no client software to install or maintain.
• Enhanced Compatibility: Supports a wide range of devices and operating systems, making it suitable for diverse and BYOD environments.
• Security: Utilizes robust encryption and authentication methods to secure connections, maintaining strong protection without the need for local software.

Advantages

• Easy deployment and maintenance
• Compatible with any device with a web browser
• Reduces endpoint management overhead
• Completely Isolate resources from endpoint vulnerabilities

Limitations

While clientless ZTNA offers significant advantages, it does have some limitations:

• Integration with Peripherals: Clientless ZTNA may struggle with integrating older peripherals, such as COM-based scanners or serial printers, which can limit functionality in environments relying on these devices.

Use Cases

Clientless ZTNA is particularly suitable for organizations with diverse device environments and a need for flexible, quick-to-deploy solutions. Examples include remote workforces and temporary access for contractors:

• Remote Workforces: Clientless ZTNA provides secure “work from anywhere” access to applications and resources for employees, partners, and contractors. This solution is highly scalable and flexible, ensuring secure access regardless of user location or device type. It enhances user experience by enabling seamless connectivity through web browsers without needing additional software installations
• Temporary Access for Contractors: Clientless ZTNA is ideal for providing temporary access to contractors and temporary workers. This approach ensures that these individuals can access necessary resources securely through their browsers without requiring full network access or installing software. It simplifies the management of temporary access, enhancing security while maintaining ease of use and flexibility

Head-to-Head Comparison

Security Features

Both client-based and clientless ZTNA solutions offer robust security, but they achieve it through different means. Clientless ZTNA isolates remote resources and data from endpoint vulnerabilities, ensuring that even compromised devices cannot access sensitive information directly. This approach leverages strong browser-based encryption and access controls to provide a high level of security. Conversely, client-based ZTNA enhances security by implementing security posture assessments and continuous end-user monitoring, ensuring that only compliant and secure devices can access the network. This makes both solutions equally secure, with each having unique strengths suited to different environments.

User Experience

Clientless ZTNA offers greater convenience and flexibility by allowing users to connect from any device with a web browser, eliminating the need for software installation. This enhances user accessibility and is particularly beneficial for environments with diverse device usage.

For client-based ZTNA, the user experience is enhanced through better integration with enterprise applications and peripherals, including older peripherals like COM-based scanners or serial printers. This ensures seamless functionality and better performance for users who rely on these devices. The comprehensive support for a wide range of peripherals makes client-based ZTNA ideal for industries such as healthcare and financial services, where these legacy devices are still in use.

Deployment and Maintenance

Clientless ZTNA solutions are easier to deploy and maintain, as they eliminate the need for installing and updating client software, significantly reducing IT overhead. This simplicity is ideal for organizations that need quick, scalable deployments, such as temporary access for contractors or remote workforces.

In contrast, client-based solutions require more effort in terms of deployment and maintenance due to the need for software installation and regular updates. However, they offer advanced features and tighter control over user devices and access policies, making them suitable for organizations with extensive IT support capabilities and high-security needs.

Cost Considerations

Clientless ZTNA can be more cost-effective due to lower maintenance and deployment costs. The reduced need for IT support and the elimination of client software installations lower the overall expense, making it an attractive option for organizations with limited budgets or those needing flexible, temporary access solutions.

On the other hand, client-based ZTNA solutions, while potentially more expensive due to higher deployment and endpoint management operational cost.

Thinfinity® Workspace: The Best of Both Worlds

Client or Clientless it got you cover

Thinfinity Workspace offers a hybrid approach, combining the benefits of client-based and clientless Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) in a single, cohesive solution. This dual capability ensures organizations can balance security, performance, and ease of deployment according to their unique requirements.

Advantages of Client-Based Access on Thinfinity® Workspace

• Comprehensive Security Controls: Thinfinity’s client-based ZTNA includes robust security features like multi-factor authentication (MFA) and continuous monitoring, ensuring comprehensive protection for sensitive data and applications. Additionally, Thinfinity employs reverse connections, which avoid the need for inbound ports, further enhancing security.
• Better Resource Access and Peripheral Integration: This approach offers advanced access features that provide users with a local-like experience when accessing remote resources. It supports USB redirection and access to local files, as well as integration with older peripherals, ensuring seamless interaction with remote environments.
• Supports a Wide Range of Applications: Thinfinity supports a broad spectrum of applications, including those requiring complex integrations and high security standards. This flexibility allows organizations to efficiently utilize their existing software while maintaining stringent security protocols.

Advantages of Clientless Access on Thinfinity® Workspace

• Easy Deployment: Thinfinity’s clientless access simplifies the deployment process, allowing for quick and hassle-free setup without the need for installing software on end-user devices. This streamlined approach reduces the time and effort required to get users up and running.
• Device Compatibility: Thinfinity ensures compatibility across a wide range of devices and operating systems, making it a versatile and user-friendly solution. Users can access resources from desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones without any compatibility issues.
• Enhanced Features: Thinfinity’s clientless access supports advanced features such as multi-monitor setups, audio and video redirection, providing a rich and immersive user experience even without a client installation.
• Reduced Endpoint Management: By minimizing the need for managing and maintaining endpoints, Thinfinity lowers IT overhead and resource expenditure. This reduction in endpoint management tasks frees up IT staff to focus on more strategic initiatives.

How Thinfinity® Workspace Integrates Both Approaches

Thinfinity Workspace seamlessly integrates client-based and clientless access methods through its reverse gateway, effectively avoiding network exposure and enhancing deployment security. The Thinfinity reverse gateway can be hosted in the cloud or in a DMZ and it facilitates secure connections without exposing internal networks to potential threats.

Use Cases and Workflow Optimization

Thinfinitiy Workspace is really well positioned for many workflows with flexible access options to boost productivity and, at the same time, maintain the security of remote workers, contractors, diversified device environments, and IT/OT networks-especially in a hybrid cloud environment.

Here are some relevant use cases:

Remote Work

Thinfinity Workspace provides secure, high-performance access to corporate resources. These applications enable employees to connect from multiple devices, arming them with the necessary means to stay productive from anywhere.

Contractor Access

Contractors can securely access specific resources directly without installing a type of client software. Thinfinity does not require that contractors fiddle with complex VPN settings—instead, they use these applications and the information to which they must connect while under strict security policies—this light, low-maintenance approach alleviates the stress on IT departments.

BYOD (Bring Your Device) Environment

Thinfinity Workspace wraps up a very wide number of devices and OSs, making it the ideal solution for organizations with Bring Your Device policies. Workers can securely access company resources from their devices, which would be their own, thanks to security solutions and strategies such as MFA and continuous monitoring.

Healthcare

Thinfinity’s advanced access features, like multi-monitor support and audio/video redirection, make access to patient records and telehealth apps secure and efficient from the hospital or any other remote location.

Education

Secure access to educational resources and applications by students and educators with Thinfinity Workspace. Clientless access empowers students to access virtual classrooms and learning materials from anywhere, using any device. Educators can conduct lessons and collaborate without any hitches.

Financial Services

Thinfinity makes financial service professionals feel confident interacting with sensitive data and applications. They always have at their disposal all the tools necessary for completing tasks both in the office and while working remotely. Features include USB redirection and integration with legacy peripherals.

IT Networks

Thinfinity Workspace better manages IT network exposure and access to network resources through controlled, secure access. IT administrators can use Thinfinity reverse gateway connections for the management of servers, applications, or any other network resource in a remote fashion without posing security risks in the network environment.

OT Networks

For operational technology environments, Thinfinity Workspace provides a secure solution for enabling remote access to industrial control systems and other OT devices. This ensures that engineers and technicians deal with OT systems safely and productively, thereby mitigating the risk of potential cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.

Superior Performance in Hybrid Clouds

The Thinfinity Workspace is excellent in all hybrid cloud environments where most clientless ZTNA solutions fall short. With robust architecture and security protocols, free access to all on-premise and cloud-based resources for unimpeded delivery in a very flexible and high-performing manner has been provided by it.

Final Recommendations

When choosing between client-based and clientless ZTNA solutions, it’s crucial to consider your organization’s specific needs and goals:

• Security Requirements: For industries with stringent security and regulatory compliance needs, a client-based ZTNA solution is preferable. It provides robust security controls and tight integration with enterprise systems, ensuring comprehensive protection and compliance.
• User Flexibility and Convenience: If your organization values ease of access and minimal IT overhead, clientless ZTNA is the optimal choice. It allows users to securely connect from any device without the hassle of software installation, making it ideal for remote workforces and BYOD policies.
• IT Resources and Maintenance: Consider your IT team’s capacity for deployment and maintenance. Client-based solutions require more IT resources for software installation and updates, while clientless solutions offer a simpler, more cost-effective deployment process.
  Learn more about strategies to reduce IT infrastructure costs $
• Integration Needs: Evaluate the need for peripheral and application integration. Client-based ZTNA excels in environments where seamless integration with legacy peripherals and enterprise applications is essential, while clientless ZTNA provides broad device compatibility and ease of management.

Ultimately, Thinfinity Workspace offers a hybrid approach, combining the best of both client-based and clientless ZTNA. This flexibility ensures that your organization can balance security, performance, and ease of deployment, tailored to your unique requirements.

Conclusion

I hope this article has provided clarity on the vital differences and benefits between client-based Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and clientless ZTNA solutions. While there is much more to cover, I trust this insight has been helpful in your search. If you would like to dive deeper into any of these subjects or if the article has raised questions about your current deployments, our team is here to help!