F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager vs. BastionZero

Establishing a zero-trust access framework for all applications, whether they are legacy or modern, requires the implementation of strong identity and context-driven access controls that can efficiently scale. To ensure the effectiveness of the zero-trust model, it is essential to conduct thorough contextual assessments, securing every application access request with care. Improving access to applications necessitates a careful approach to user authentication and authorization, enabling context-aware and identity-based access for each request individually. By leveraging current single sign-on (SSO) and identity federation systems, users can conveniently access all business applications using a single set of credentials, irrespective of SAML compatibility. Furthermore, the addition of social login capabilities will facilitate authorization through trusted third-party identity providers like Google, LinkedIn, Okta, and Azure AD. Integrating third-party User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) and risk assessment tools via REST APIs will bolster policy-driven access controls, enhanced by the API connector to reinforce security protocols. BIG-IP APM provides various business models, such as perpetual licenses, subscription options, public cloud marketplaces, and enterprise licensing agreements, offering organizations the flexibility they require. This holistic strategy not only strengthens security measures but also enhances user experience by streamlining access processes across multiple platforms, ultimately leading to a more cohesive digital environment. By prioritizing both security and usability, organizations can adapt to evolving technology landscapes while maintaining robust protection.

Infrastructure teams encounter various obstacles, including unwieldy VPNs, personalized bastion hosts, over-privileged certificate authorities, and enduring credentials that can lead to serious security vulnerabilities. Nonetheless, these teams have the capability to establish, monitor, and safeguard precise access controls for their infrastructure assets across both cloud-based and on-premises settings. By utilizing a centralized platform for accessing all targets—such as servers, containers, clusters, databases, and web servers—organizations can simplify the management of an ever-growing variety of systems. Adopting a zero-trust access model allows for the protection of targets behind a Single Sign-On (SSO) system while further enhancing security through a distinct Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) mechanism. Say goodbye to the complexities of password management by leveraging policies that determine which users can access specific resources based on their roles or accounts. In addition, it is crucial to monitor the exact commands executed by users on any target linked to their respective roles or accounts, facilitated by BastionZero’s extensive access logs, command logs, and session recordings, thereby ensuring both security and accountability in infrastructure management. This methodology not only fortifies security but also improves operational efficiency for infrastructure teams, facilitating a more streamlined and secure workflow. Ultimately, adopting such advanced strategies can significantly enhance the overall resilience of an organization’s infrastructure.