Cradlepoint launched its zero-trust network access (ZTNA) service as part of the NetCloud Exchange (NCX) platform which also includes its Secure Connect and Advanced SD-WAN products. The vendor plans to continue enhancing its security capabilities throughout next year.

The vendor introduced NetCloud Exchange in August which is an extension of its NetCloud software platform that supports wireless WAN delivered through 4G LTE and 5G wireless edge routers. The NetCloud Exchange integrates SD-WAN and ZTNA into its wireless WAN architecture using the NetCloud Exchange Service Gateway.

Instead of broad network access, ZTNA offers access determined only by policy and granted by session, explained Shamus McGillicuddy, VP of research at analyst firm Enterprise Management Associates (EMA).

To simplify the administration, Cradlepoint claims it offers a single, attribute-based policy engine for both its SD-WAN and ZTNA, so administrators can create both network and user-based policies.

The vendor added the SD-WAN capabilities last month to NetCloud Exchange which allows organizations to create multiple modem WAN interfaces aligned to slice instances defined by 5G standalone (SA) networks.

All the NetCloud Exchange services are based on the same zero-trust foundation, the vendor claims. And its ZTNA service targets the security for the extended workforce and remote access and privileged remote access, Camille Campbell, senior product marketing manager at Cradlepoint, wrote in response to questions. “Cradlepoint is focused on providing ZTNA functionality to help secure the widened attack surface driven by cellular networking.”

The company partnered with Palo Alto Networks last year to provide optional secure access service edge (SASE) functionality for customers. With the launch of its native ZTNA, the vendor plans to invest more in security to meet customers’ needs on the network and security convergence.

“Security is top of mind for every CIO and there is an expectation that security is incorporated into any networking solution; therefore, you will continue to see Cradlepoint enhance its security capabilities throughout next year,” Campbell told SDxCentral.