Breaking Free from VPNs: How Entra Private Access is Revolutionizing Secure Remote Work

“Never trust, always verify.”

Let’s face it: remote work isn’t going anywhere. What started as a temporary solution has become the new normal for businesses around the world. But here’s the catch—while we’ve all adjusted to working from coffee shops, home offices, and even the beach, many companies are still stuck using outdated technology to keep everything secure.

VPNs, once the go-to for remote access, have now become a roadblock. They slow down connections, frustrate employees, and—let’s be honest—leave a lot to be desired in terms of security. In a world where employees need instant, secure access to their work from anywhere, relying on old solutions just doesn’t cut it anymore.

This is where Microsoft Entra Private Access comes in. It’s more than just a solution—it’s a fresh approach that makes secure access effortless. Whether you’re a growing business, a well-established company, or a global organization, this tool transforms how you think about securing your team’s access to critical data and apps. But what makes it special? Let’s break it down.

Why VPNs Are Fading into the Past

We’ve all been there: logging into a VPN, waiting for it to connect, and then watching as everything slows to a crawl. It’s a problem we’ve gotten used to, but it doesn’t have to be that way.

The core issue with VPNs is that they’re trying to solve modern problems with outdated methods. VPNs were designed to create secure tunnels into your network, but they don’t provide the level of granular control or performance that today’s businesses demand. They also don’t scale well, and the more people use them, the slower and more vulnerable your network becomes.

So, if VPNs aren’t cutting it anymore, what’s the alternative?

Enter Entra Private Access: A Modern Solution for a Modern Workforce

Unlike VPNs, Entra Private Access takes a totally different approach. It doesn’t rely on perimeter security or slow tunnels. Instead, it uses a Zero Trust model—meaning that no one and nothing is trusted by default. Every request to access your network is verified, whether it’s coming from your top executive or a contractor halfway around the world.

Here’s the magic: Entra Private Access is designed to give your team secure access to the apps and data they need, no matter where they are or what device they’re using—without the hassle of a VPN.

So what does that mean for you?

Imagine never having to hear the words “my VPN isn’t working” again. Picture a system that knows who you are, checks the security of your device, and then lets you get to work without any of the headaches or delays. That’s the kind of seamless, secure experience Entra Private Access provides.

How Entra Private Access is Changing the Game

Now, you might be wondering: “Is this just for tech giants?” Absolutely not. Whether you’re a small business with a handful of employees or a global operation with thousands, Entra Private Access scales to meet your needs. Let’s look at how it works in the real world.

Secure Access Without the Lag
One of the biggest complaints about VPNs is the speed—or lack of it. Entra Private Access removes that bottleneck entirely. Your team gets direct, secure access to the apps they need, whether they’re working from home, the office, or somewhere in between. No slowdowns, no disruptions—just smooth, secure connectivity.

Simplified Management
If you’re in IT, you’ve probably spent more hours than you care to admit troubleshooting VPN connections. With Entra Private Access, those days are behind you. It integrates directly with Microsoft Entra and gives you central control over who can access what. It’s easier to manage, easier to scale, and far less prone to issues.

A Future-Proof Solution
As businesses continue to grow and evolve, so do their security needs. Entra Private Access is built to adapt to those changes. It doesn’t matter if you’re expanding your remote workforce, opening new offices, or moving more apps to the cloud—this solution grows with you.

Use Case: Securing Remote Store Access for a Global Retail Chain

A global retail chain with stores in remote locations needed secure, reliable access to centralized servers for HR data, sales reports, and inventory updates. Their VPN solution was causing major slowdowns, and ensuring secure access across multiple regions was difficult. This was particularly problematic in locations with weaker network infrastructure, where VPN disconnections and security vulnerabilities were frequent.

Challenges with VPN: The VPN solution was prone to bottlenecks during peak business hours. Store managers experienced delays accessing real-time sales data and inventory reports, which affected decision-making and on-the-ground operations. On top of that, the company’s IT team was under pressure to manage access permissions across hundreds of stores, each with different needs.

Switch to Entra Private Access: By adopting Entra Private Access, the chain transitioned to a Zero Trust model. This approach shifted from granting blanket access through a VPN to verifying every single access request based on identity, device security, and the context of the request. The benefits were immediate:

• Faster and Secure Access: Remote store locations, even those in areas with weaker connectivity, were able to access centralized HR and sales systems much more reliably. Entra Private Access optimized access routes, cutting out the middleman (VPNs) and providing direct, secure access to the required resources. This meant store managers could update inventory and HR data in real time, leading to more accurate reporting and quicker decisions on inventory restocks and employee scheduling.
• Simplified IT Management: With Entra Private Access, the IT team no longer had to manage multiple VPN configurations for each store. Instead, they used centralized policies in Microsoft Entra to control access based on user roles and store locations. This meant that if a store manager needed access to HR data, the system automatically checked if their identity and device met the security requirements before granting access. This simplified access control and reduced the administrative load on the IT team.
• Improved Security: One of the most significant benefits was the enhanced security posture. By verifying each connection in real time—ensuring the user, their device, and the context met predefined security criteria—the company drastically reduced the risk of unauthorized access or potential data breaches. The company’s sensitive HR data and sales information were better protected, with granular visibility into who accessed what and from where.

Outcome: After implementing Entra Private Access, the retail chain reported a notable improvement in operational efficiency. Store managers no longer faced delays accessing critical systems, even during busy periods or from remote locations. The IT team also saw a significant reduction in support tickets related to access issues, allowing them to focus on more strategic tasks. Security audits showed stronger adherence to data protection regulations, giving the company confidence in its long-term security strategy.

So, How Do You Get Started?

The beauty of Entra Private Access is that it’s flexible enough to fit any business. Whether you’re using Microsoft 365 E5, E3, or Entra ID Premium P2, this service integrates seamlessly into your existing setup. You don’t need to re-engineer your IT environment—you just need to plug it in and start seeing the benefits.

Understanding Microsoft Entra Licensing

Microsoft Entra offers flexible licensing options, including Entra ID P1 and P2, catering to different business needs. The P1 plan, bundled with Microsoft 365 E3 and Business Premium, covers core identity management, while the P2 plan, available with Microsoft 365 E5, adds advanced security features like Identity Protection.

Entra Private Access can be purchased separately or included in higher-tier licenses, providing robust Zero Trust access capabilities.

For more details, visit the Microsoft Entra Pricing page.

Conclusion: The Future is Here—Are You Ready?

As the world moves further into hybrid work models and the demand for secure, remote access grows, relying on outdated technology like VPNs is no longer sustainable. Entra Private Access offers a modern, secure, and scalable alternative that can transform how your business operates.

Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll walk through how to set up and configure Entra Private Access to fit your unique needs.

About the Author
Shaun Hardneck is a Microsoft 365 & Azure Security Specialist with deep expertise in modern cloud security and Zero Trust strategies. Passionate about helping businesses navigate today’s security challenges, Shaun shares insights and practical guidance on leveraging Microsoft technologies. Connect with Shaun on LinkedIn for more discussions or to explore how these strategies can enhance your organization’s security posture.

Sharing is caring!