Every organisation relies on third parties—vendors, consultants and partners—to keep business running smoothly. But with that access comes risk.
Traditional VPNs grant excessive permissions, vendor-specific solutions introduce complexity, and most organisations don’t have full visibility into third-party activities. The result? A major security gap that attackers are eager to exploit.
In fact, 91% of organisations have experienced a security incident linked to third-party access, yet most still lack the controls needed to mitigate the risk. If external entities can freely move through your network, how can you be sure your data, systems, and compliance requirements are protected?
The Problem: Third-Party Access is a Security Blind Spot
Giving third parties access is a business necessity, but without the right controls, it’s also an open invitation for cyber threats. Common challenges include:
- Overly Permissive Access: VPNs grant too much access, allowing third parties to move laterally across the network
- Lack of Visibility: Many organisations don’t monitor third-party activities, making it difficult to detect threats
- Operational Overheads: Some organisations lose productive time as staff are forced to babysit vendors through screen-sharing or similar methods, due to the inability to provide secure remote access
- Compliance Gaps: Regulatory requirements demand strict controls over third-party access, but enforcing them can be complex
- Fragmented Solutions: Different vendors often require separate access tools, increasing cost and complexity
Traditional security approaches aren’t enough. Organisations need a smarter, more secure way to control third-party access without slowing down operations.
A Smarter Way to Secure Third-Party Access
Instead of relying on outdated VPNs and fragmented security tools, organisations can adopt a zero trust approach to third-party access—ensuring external entities only have access to what they need, when they need it.
Step 1: Apply Granular Controls
Define exactly which network resources each third party can access—nothing more, nothing less. Limit lateral movement and ensure data remains protected.
Step 2: Enforce MFA on Every Logon
Require multi-factor authentication before granting access, reducing the risk of compromised credentials being used to breach the network.
Step 3: Consolidate & Simplify
Eliminate the need for multiple remote access solutions by implementing a unified approach that supports all vendors, applications, and protocols.
Step 4: Maintain Full Visibility
Monitor and audit every action taken by third parties, ensuring compliance and security teams have complete oversight of external access, including where access should have been revoked.
How Zero Networks Solves the Third-Party Access Challenge
Zero Networks provides a seamless way to secure third-party access while eliminating the risks of excessive permissions, poor visibility, and compliance gaps. By combining the strengths of VPN and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Zero Networks delivers:
- Zero Trust Security: No open ports, making the service invisible to attackers
- Granular Access Control: Third parties only access what they need, reducing attack surfaces
- Seamless Multi-Factor Authentication: Enforces MFA on every login without adding friction
- High-Performance Remote Access: Direct connectivity with no latency or routing through the cloud
- Full Visibility & Auditing: Complete tracking of third-party activities for compliance and security
- Rapid Deployment: No complex configurations—deploy in just an hour with no professional services required
With Zero Networks, organisations can enforce strict security controls while ensuring third-party access remains smooth, efficient and cost-effective.
Secure Third-Party Access—Without the Hassle
Managing third-party access shouldn’t be a security headache. With a solution that applies least-privilege access, enforces MFA, and provides full visibility, organisations can confidently connect external partners while keeping their network secure.
It’s time to take control of third-party access and close the security gaps that leave businesses vulnerable.
Contact us today and see how Zero Networks can secure third-party access effortlessly.
