By Ericsson has rolled out a new layer of protection for connected devices by introducing a clientless Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution within its NetCloud Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform. This latest development is aimed at helping businesses better secure IoT and operational technology (OT) assets in increasingly complex and distributed environments.
With the growing involvement of third-party vendors, contractors, and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) users in critical infrastructure operations, the need for secure, simplified access management has never been greater. Ericsson’s clientless ZTNA eliminates the need for installing security clients on unmanaged devices—making it easier to grant secure access to a broader set of users and devices while maintaining strict control.
The solution provides secure access via a simple web interface, offering organizations a practical alternative to traditional VPNs, which often come with significant overhead and security blind spots. Unlike conventional remote access tools that can expose large portions of the network, Ericsson’s approach isolates each access session in a cloud container. This effectively segments the interaction, reducing the risk of malware infiltration or data leaks from potentially compromised endpoints.
For industries relying on IoT and OT systems, where uptime and safety are paramount, this model offers substantial advantages. Session isolation ensures that contractors servicing a single machine can’t move laterally within the network. Access is granted strictly on a need-to-know basis—one of the core tenets of Zero Trust architecture.
Ericsson’s offering is more than just a new access mechanism. It incorporates advanced risk assessment tools, continuously evaluating device behavior and user context. Any anomalies can trigger immediate access termination, helping prevent breaches before they escalate.
Moreover, all access policies can be centrally managed through Ericsson’s NetCloud Manager, enabling consistent security oversight across different access types—including 5G wireless WAN, SD-WAN, and SASE services. This consolidated management approach simplifies administration while providing deep visibility into access activity.
The platform also integrates seamlessly with existing enterprise identity systems, allowing organizations to avoid creating separate authentication workflows for external users. This not only reduces friction for IT teams but also minimizes the risk of mismanaged credentials.
Ericsson is positioning this as the first integrated, clientless ZTNA solution offered by an enterprise 5G router provider. It reflects a broader shift toward securing hybrid and wireless-first infrastructures where the traditional network perimeter no longer exists.
In today’s highly interconnected environments, security strategies must account for a diverse mix of users, devices, and access scenarios. Ericsson’s clientless ZTNA is designed to meet this challenge, offering a flexible, scalable, and security-first approach to managing access to critical IoT and OT systems. As organizations adapt to a world where remote access is the norm, solutions like this will be vital to keeping networks safe and resilient.