Zero Trust Network Access with Akamai Enterprise Application Access
Give your workforce fast, secure, identity- and context-aware access to private applications — without granting network-level access.
Why move beyond VPNs
Traditional VPNs expand your attack surface. By design, they accept inbound connections and often require open firewall ports. When a VPN device or concentrator is exploited, attackers can gain network-level access and move laterally. Recent high-severity CVEs in major VPN platforms and the ongoing patching burden underscore this risk. In contrast, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) replaces implicit trust with continuous verification and least-privilege, granting access only to the specific apps a user is authorized to use — not the network.
With Enterprise Application Access (EAA), user sessions terminate in the cloud. No inbound user connections reach your network. Lightweight connectors establish outbound-only, dial-out connections to your applications, dramatically shrinking the on-premises or cloud data center attack surface and reducing lateral movement risk. Learn more about the shift from VPNs to ZTNA and why timing matters in the face of VPN vulnerabilities in this analysis: Will VPN security vulnerabilities accelerate ZTNA adoption?
What EAA is
Akamai Enterprise Application Access is a cloud-delivered ZTNA service that provides least-privilege, per-app access to private applications based on identity, device posture, and context. Delivered on Akamai Connected Cloud — the world’s most distributed cloud security platform — EAA places access control close to your users and apps for responsive performance everywhere.
Identity-based, app-level access for web and non-web apps
Real-time, adaptive policies using device posture and risk signals
No network-level access; eliminates inbound exposure
High availability, load balancing, and automatic app routing at global scale
Support: Provide secure clientless access for web apps and secure client-based access for non-HTTP/HTTPS apps.
Integrate: Use one-click integrations with your existing identity provider, plus seamless connections to your security stack (e.g., SIEM).
Deploy: Drop lightweight connectors near your apps (on-prem or any cloud). Connectors make outbound-only connections to the EAA service; authorized users connect to applications through EAA’s reverse proxy.
Secure: Enforce per-session, per-app decisions using strong authentication, device posture, and granular access policies aligned to Zero Trust principles.
Key features
ZTNA as a cloud service — no VPN appliances to size, patch, or manage
Integrations with your IdP (Okta, Azure AD, Ping, Google, SAML) or Akamai cloud IdP
Device posture for adaptive access (OS patch state, firewall, anti-malware, and external EDR/SWG signals)
Local point of presence (PoP) for in-office users to avoid hairpinning while enforcing the same ZTNA policies
Edge transport and global routing on Akamai Connected Cloud for low-latency performance
Multicloud reach to control access regardless of where apps are hosted
Secure clientless access to private web apps; client-based access for TCP/UDP protocols
Centralized auditing and logging to support compliance and investigations
Customer proof: “We were impressed with the breadth of functionality in Enterprise Application Access. It supports auditing and logging, and multiple authentication methods, and works as a seamless part of our larger branded solution.” — Mike Harris, Partner, Digital Risk, Grant Thornton. Read the customer story
Common use cases
Zero Trust application access: Replace implicit trust with identity-, device-, and context-aware policies that grant the least privilege necessary per session.
Reduce VPN reliance: Eliminate inbound exposure and broad network access. Grant granular access to specific apps hosted anywhere for users working everywhere.
Hybrid workforce access: Deliver consistent, secure, and low-latency access for in-office and remote users with local PoP enforcement.
Third-party access: Onboard partners and contractors quickly using Akamai’s cloud IdP and per-app access — without granting network connectivity.
What to look for in an enterprise ZTNA solution
Least-privilege, per-app access with granular policies
Continuous verification of user identity and device posture
Broad IdP support and strong MFA (including phishing-resistant options)
Clientless and client-based access for all app types (web, legacy, TCP/UDP)
No inbound exposure; outbound-only connectors to minimize attack surface
High-performance, globally distributed enforcement with local PoPs
Comprehensive visibility, logging, and easy policy management
Seamless integration with SWG/DNS security, WAAP, EDR, SIEM, and microsegmentation
Automation and APIs for scale, along with high availability and load balancing
How EAA aligns: EAA checks all these boxes and integrates with Akamai Guardicore Segmentation for defense-in-depth against lateral movement, Akamai MFA for phishing-resistant authentication, and Secure Internet Access Enterprise for proactive threat protection.
How Akamai EAA compares to other Zero Trust access solutions
Architecture that shrinks exposure: EAA terminates user sessions in the cloud and uses outbound-only app connectors, removing the need for inbound access to your network. This materially reduces lateral movement risk compared to solutions that expose apps through inbound paths.
Beyond “just a tunnel”: Many ZTNA tools focus on protecting the transport. EAA applies application-layer policy and integrates with WAAP controls like App & API Protector to strengthen application security where needed.
Performance at scale: Enforcement runs on Akamai Connected Cloud’s distributed footprint, placing access control close to users and apps for consistently responsive experiences.
Integrated Zero Trust portfolio: Pair ZTNA with microsegmentation, SWG/DNS firewall, and MFA to align with CISA-aligned Zero Trust pillars. Akamai’s microsegmentation solution has been recognized by industry analysts for leadership. See highlights on the Zero Trust solution page.
Public sector readiness: Akamai Enterprise Application Access has achieved FedRAMP Moderate authorization, supporting government and regulated-sector requirements. Learn more in the EAA FedRAMP announcement.
Akamai vs. Cloudflare and Imperva for hybrid ZTNA
When comparing EAA with platforms like Cloudflare or Imperva for users and workloads across hybrid infrastructures, evaluate these areas:
Inbound vs. outbound architecture: Does the approach require inbound exposure, or use outbound-only connectors that reduce attack surface? EAA uses outbound-only connectivity and cloud session termination.
App and protocol coverage: Is access limited to web apps, or does it support non-HTTP/HTTPS protocols with client-based access? EAA supports both clientless web and client-based non-web access.
Device posture depth: Can policies factor in OS state, endpoint protection, and external signals? EAA applies adaptive policies with device posture and integrates with third-party EDR and SWG signals.
Performance and locality: How close are enforcement points to your users and apps, including in-office? EAA provides a local PoP option to avoid hairpinning for on-prem apps while enforcing the same policies.
Security stack integration: Can you easily insert WAAP, DNS/SWG, and microsegmentation to add layered controls? EAA integrates natively across Akamai’s Zero Trust portfolio.
Operations and scale: Is policy management centralized and intuitive? Are HA, load balancing, and global routing built in? EAA delivers these as part of the service.
Compliance and sector fit: Do you have requirements like FedRAMP or data residency? EAA’s FedRAMP Moderate authorization supports public sector use cases; discuss specific needs with our team.
This framework helps you run an apples-to-apples evaluation while highlighting how EAA approaches each dimension.
FAQs
How does EAA differ from a VPN?
VPNs grant network-level access, creating significant lateral movement risk and ongoing patching overhead for exposed appliances. EAA provides per-app, least-privilege access based on identity, context, and device posture — without network access — reducing your attack surface and improving containment.
Does EAA integrate with MFA?
Yes. With Akamai IdP, EAA integrates directly with Akamai MFA for phishing-resistant authentication. If you use a third-party IdP, EAA leverages the MFA configured in that IdP.
What is device posture in EAA?
Device posture evaluates risk signals such as OS updates, firewall status, anti-malware presence, and external telemetry (e.g., from Akamai Secure Internet Access Enterprise, Carbon Black, CrowdStrike). You can define risk tiers that allow, deny, or limit app features per device risk.
Which identity providers work with EAA?
Akamai, Okta, Azure AD, Ping, Google, and other SAML-based IdPs.
How does EAA connect to my applications?
Deploy a lightweight connector near your apps (on-prem or in any cloud). The connector establishes an outbound connection to EAA’s reverse proxy. When an authorized user connects, EAA brokers the session to the app. Connectors are available for VMware, Hyper‑V, AWS, Azure, GCP, and more.
How does EAA ensure fast, responsive access?
EAA runs on Akamai Connected Cloud’s globally distributed footprint and uses optimized edge transport and routing. A local PoP option enforces policy for in-office users and connects directly to on-prem apps to avoid hairpinning.
Try EAA free for 60 days. See how quickly you can deploy and scale, integrate with your IdP and SIEM, and enforce adaptive policies with device posture. Start your EAA free trial.
Prefer a working session? Talk with our team to scope your ZTNA rollout or VPN migration plan.