Microsoft Outlines How Enterprises Can Replace Traditional VPNs With Entra Private Access

Microsoft is pushing enterprises to rethink how remote users access private applications and internal resources. In a new Tech Community blog post, the company outlines a phased approach for replacing traditional VPN connectivity with identity-driven access through Microsoft Entra Private Access.

Microsoft wants to replace broad VPN access with per-app connectivity

Microsoft argues that traditional VPNs can provide users with access to a wider part of the network than they actually need. That model can conflict with least-privilege principles because a compromised account or device may gain access to multiple internal resources through the same network connection.

The company is instead pointing organizations toward Microsoft Entra Private Access, which is part of Global Secure Access. While Global Secure Access covers Microsoft’s broader Security Service Edge framework, Entra Private Access is the component Microsoft positions most directly as a VPN replacement for private applications.

Rather than establishing network-level access through a VPN tunnel, Private Access allows organizations to create application-level access policies. Microsoft says those decisions can take identity, device status and policy into account before allowing access to private resources.

The company recommends starting by identifying the applications, file shares and internal web resources currently dependent on VPN connectivity. Organizations can then prioritize workloads based on business importance, data sensitivity, user impact and migration complexity.

Microsoft recommends a phased VPN replacement

Microsoft’s next step is strengthening the identity and device controls that will support the transition. The company recommends using Microsoft Entra Conditional Access, multifactor authentication and device compliance checks through Intune or another trusted management solution.

Organizations can then deploy Private Network Connectors close to the applications they need to protect and begin with a small pilot group. Microsoft recommends testing application behavior, performance, authentication and support procedures before expanding the deployment.

The final stage involves retiring VPN dependencies for applications that have successfully moved to Entra Private Access. Microsoft recommends doing this incrementally while maintaining fallback procedures, governance and compliance checks.

The company also recommends continuous monitoring after the transition. User risk, device signals and session activity can be combined with security telemetry in Microsoft Sentinel to help identify suspicious activity and support automated responses.