Secure Access modernisation

Move from VPN-first access to the right modern access path.

Tesrex maps users, devices, private apps, SaaS paths, Cisco Secure Client use and firewall VPN dependencies before the access path changes. Cisco Secure Access is often the strongest path for broad modernisation. Microsoft Entra can lead for clientless web apps. Zscaler can remain the right answer where ZPA or Browser Access already does the job.

Three access paths, assessed separately.

The estate decides which path should lead. Cisco Secure Access is often strongest for broad remote-access change. Microsoft Entra and Zscaler are not add-ons; either can lead when the access need points that way.

One migration workpack can still carry all three decisions.

Cisco logoBroad estate path

Cisco Secure Access for broad modernisation

Use Cisco Secure Access when the estate needs a broad move from VPN-first access to ZTNA, SSE, Secure Client and VPNaaS, with ASA, Firepower and Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense dependencies brought into the plan.

  • Secure Access
  • Secure Client
  • ZTNA
  • SSE
  • VPNaaS
  • Secure Firewall Threat Defense
Microsoft logoClientless web path

Microsoft Entra for the right web apps

Use Microsoft Entra Application Proxy for browser-based on-premises web apps that need cloud-based clientless access. Assess Entra Private Access separately where Global Secure Access, the client, Quick Access, per-app access and Conditional Access give the stronger Microsoft path.

  • Application Proxy
  • Private Access
  • Global Secure Access
  • Conditional Access
Zscaler logoZPA path

Zscaler where ZPA is already the better answer

Use Zscaler Private Access where ZPA is already established, third-party or unmanaged-device access is the issue, or Browser Access is the better path for web apps and remote sessions.

  • ZPA
  • Browser Access
  • Third-party access
  • RDP, SSH, VNC

The work is a path decision, then a controlled migration.

Before anything changes, Tesrex separates live dependencies from platform choices. That keeps Cisco, Microsoft and Zscaler in their proper role, without asking one product to do the wrong job.

Separate platform decisions. One controlled migration.

1
Inventory live access

Map users, devices, identity groups, private apps, protocols, app owners, Cisco Secure Client and AnyConnect use, ASA, Firepower and Secure Firewall dependencies.

2
Choose the platform path

Decide which path owns each access need: Cisco Secure Access for broad modernisation, Microsoft Entra for suitable web apps, or Zscaler where ZPA or Browser Access is stronger.

3
Build the migration order

Separate quick moves, candidates needing proof, exceptions needing fallback, and controls that must stay in place.

4
Control the migration

Track user experience, policy hits, support tickets, fallback points and ownership until handover is clean.

Give each platform path its own decision space.

The map separates live access evidence, Cisco Secure Access suitability, Microsoft Entra clientless and Private Access candidates, Zscaler/ZPA paths, and the firewall and VPN controls needed for fallback.

One migration workpack can carry separate platform decisions without making one platform mandatory for the others.

Secure access path decision map showing live estate evidence feeding separate Cisco Secure Access, Microsoft Entra and Zscaler paths before one migration workpack.
Live estateUsers, devices, identity groups, app owners, protocols, current VPN and firewall dependencies.
Cisco Secure AccessBroad access modernisation with Secure Client, ZTNA, SSE, VPNaaS and Secure Firewall context.
Microsoft EntraApplication Proxy for suitable web apps, plus Private Access and Conditional Access checks.
ZscalerZPA and Browser Access where third-party, unmanaged-device or existing Zscaler access should lead.
Migration workpackPath decision, fallback, monitoring, ownership and phased handover.

The checks and the output belong together.

The same view shows dependencies, suitable platform paths, clientless candidates, exceptions, fallback and the phased migration workpack.

Engineer detail. Leadership decision.

Path checks

Access estate
  • VPN, Cisco Secure Client, AnyConnect, ASA, Firepower and Secure Firewall dependency map
  • user, device and identity group review
Platform suitability
  • private app protocol and browser suitability assessment
  • Cisco Secure Access ZTNA, SSE and VPNaaS suitability review
Clientless and third-party
  • Microsoft Entra Application Proxy candidate list
  • Entra Private Access, Global Secure Access client and Conditional Access suitability checks
Monitor and hand over
  • ZPA and Browser Access suitability review
  • experience monitoring, fallback and rollback points

Map the access path before changing it.

We will map Cisco Secure Access candidates, Microsoft clientless web-app paths, Zscaler path checks, Secure Client paths and firewall and VPN dependencies into one phased workpack.

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