One login, whole-network access
A traditional VPN works on ‘trust, then verify’. Once someone signs in, they can see servers, databases and internal systems they’ll never use.
Give people access to applications, not your whole network
Zen Secure Private Access uses Zero Trust Network Access to connect employees, guests and third parties to the specific private applications they need — and nothing more.
Cloud-delivered private access, with the level of Zen management and control that suits you.
Zen Secure Private Access · powered by Cisco Secure Access
The problem it solves
Traditional VPN access can expose more of the network than users need
Traditional remote-access VPNs can give hybrid workers, guests and partners broader network access than their role requires. It only takes one stolen login or infected laptop to turn that into a network-wide problem.
One weak point spreads
On a flat network, a single stolen password or infected laptop lets an attacker move sideways to reach other systems — and your Active Directory.
Guests are hard to onboard safely
Getting guests and partners connected usually means installing software on their personal devices, or standing up costly virtual desktops.
What's Included
Access defined by identity, not the network
Secure Private Access connects people to applications rather than the wider network. One sign-in can take them directly to the applications they’re authorised to use, and our team can help you choose the right access model for your organisation.
1
One client, every app
Zero Trust access to modern apps, plus built-in VPN for older ones.
2
Cloud or on-premises
Enforce access in the cloud or on your existing Cisco firewalls.
3
Identity-based access
Access follows verified identity and context, not IP addresses.
4
Device health checks
Only healthy, up-to-date devices are allowed to connect.
5
Invisible to attackers
Your apps stay hidden from the internet — nothing to scan or probe.
6
Least privilege by default
People get the exact apps they need — and nothing more.
What it protects
Secure access to private applications, wherever they run
Secure Private Access connects verified users to named applications in your data centre or cloud without placing them onto the wider network. Access can be controlled per user and per application, across managed or unmanaged devices.
Employees · least-privilege access to the apps they’re entitled to, on managed or unmanaged devices.
Guests and third parties · scoped access to specific applications, without a network account or broad VPN.
Data-centre and cloud apps · reached through lightweight connectors across AWS, Azure and VMware.
Roaming and mobile · streamlined ZTNA across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux and ChromeOS.
Why it matters
The case for least-privilege access, in numbers
Done well, least-privilege access can make it easier for people to reach the applications they need while reducing unnecessary access across your network.
4%1
of organisations have reached a ‘mature’ level of cyber-readiness — most still rely on broad network access that a least-privilege model closes down.
84%2
of organisations face risks from personal or unmanaged devices — so each device is checked before it connects, and only healthy, up-to-date ones are let through.
Zero3
new firewall openings required — your applications stay hidden from the internet, so attackers can’t find or probe them.
The Zen solution: access defined by identity and policy
Secure Private Access verifies the user and their context, then connects them straight to the specific application — never the network. Internal systems stay cloaked, and Zen operates the policies that keep access least-privilege as your needs change.
1 Cisco Cybersecurity Readiness Index 2025 — share of organisations at a ‘mature’ level of readiness, cited in Cisco’s partner SASE portfolio collateral: Cisco partner SASE materials.
2 “Hybrid work poses risks — 84% facing vulnerabilities from unmanaged devices.” Cisco partner SASE portfolio collateral: Cisco partner SASE materials; see also cisco.com/go/secure-access.
3 Cisco Resource Connectors use an outbound-only connection — “no firewall holes required” — obscuring the internal network and hiding applications from all but authorised users. Cisco Secure Access data sheet: Cisco Secure Access data sheet.
Why Zen
More than just a licence subscription
Zen supports Secure Private Access from initial design and onboarding through to ongoing technical support and service reviews, reducing the day-to-day work for your team.
Onboarding & design
We design private access around your identity, your apps and your people.
- Map applications, users and third-party access needs
- Integrate your identity provider and deploy connectors
- Design least-privilege access policies
Support & escalation
One team to call, whatever the issue.
- First-line triage for access and connectivity
- We own critical incidents end to end
- We raise and manage Cisco support cases for you
Reviews & lifecycle
We keep access current as people and apps change.
- Regular reviews of access policy and posture
- A dedicated security expert on Signature Support
- Reporting and planning as your estate evolves
The SASE Advantage
Networking and security, working as one
If you already use, or are considering, Zen-managed Cisco Catalyst or Meraki SD-WAN, Secure Private Access can form part of the security side of a SASE architecture. SASE brings cloud-delivered security and networking together so users can access applications securely across office, home and mobile locations.
Faster to roll out
Meraki Auto VPN sets up secure tunnels to Cisco’s cloud automatically — up to 15× faster than configuring them by hand.
Direct, faster access
No backhauling traffic through a central firewall — people connect straight to their apps in AWS, Azure or on-site, so performance improves.
One managed SASE service
Zen can integrate Meraki or Catalyst SD-WAN with Cisco Secure Access, including SIA and SPA, to bring networking and cloud-delivered security together as part of a SASE architecture. Backed by Zen’s 24x7 UK Service Desk.
IT teams lose up to 23% of their time juggling multiple vendors. Zen brings networking and security together under one managed service, backed by our 24×7 UK service desk.
Where it fits
Cloud security that works around your network
Zen Secure Access lets you add the cloud-delivered security capabilities your organisation needs, from DNS-layer protection to secure internet access and Zero Trust access to private applications. It can also form the security element of a wider SASE architecture.
Start here
DNS Defence
Block online threats before they reach your network
A simple first layer of protection across your organisation. Deployed in minutes, without installing software on every device.
- Block malicious and unwanted domains at the DNS layer
- Protect users, devices and locations
- Fast to deploy, light to run
Broaden
Secure Internet Access
Deeper control over web and cloud traffic
As your requirements grow, SIA gives you more detailed protection and visibility. It can help you:
- Inspect encrypted web traffic
- Control access to websites and URLs
- Apply cloud-based firewall policies
- Protect sensitive information with data loss prevention
- Manage traffic to SaaS applications
Includes DNS-layer security — you move up to SIA rather than adding it on top of DNS Defence.
Extend You’re viewing this
Secure Private Access
Give users access to applications, not the whole network
Traditional remote-access VPNs can give users broad access to your network once they sign in. Secure Private Access uses Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) to grant access only to the applications people need, keeping your internal network hidden.
- Reduce unnecessary access
- Keep internal IP addresses hidden
- Limit the risk of threats moving between systems
- Apply more precise access policies
Architecture
SASE
Your network and cloud security, combined
SASE is what you get by adding Secure Access (SSE) to Zen-managed SD-WAN — Catalyst or Meraki.
- SD-WAN moves traffic; Secure Access protects it
- One consistent policy across sites, remote users and cloud
- Works with Catalyst, Meraki or a third-party WAN
- Adopt at your pace, with the level of Zen management that suits you
Try before you commit · up to 60 days, at no cost
See Cisco Secure Access in action
New to Secure Access? Start with a free trial. Zen deploys Cisco Secure Access for up to 100 users, shows what your people are reaching and where the risks are, and hands you a findings pack to keep — whether or not you proceed. It’s a practical first step before extending to private access.
A useful step towards Cyber Essentials, too — see where you stand before your assessment does.
Week 0
Agree what success looks like, in writing.
Weeks 1-2
We build, configure and go live — monitor-only first if you prefer.
Weeks 3+
Weekly evidence against your criteria.
Day 45-60
Findings pack, value review and your decision.
No payment details to start, and it doesn’t roll into a contract. At the end we
decommission the tenant — the findings are yours to keep.
Related services
Part of a wider security picture
Managed Firewalls
Protect your business from unauthorised access and internet security threats.
Cyber Triage
A monthly review and analysis service that flags issues affecting your security.
Managed SD-WAN
Resilient, cloud-ready networking that can combine with Secure Access as part of a SASE architecture.
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