Short answer
For most user-to-application access, yes. Microsoft Entra Private Access gives remote users access to specific private apps, file shares and ports through the Global Secure Access client and private network connectors, with Conditional Access deciding each session. Some scenarios still need care, such as server-to-client traffic and unusual protocols, so migrate app by app and retire the VPN only after each one is tested.
Key facts
- Private Access is part of Microsoft's Global Secure Access security service edge.
- It replaces network-wide trust with per-app access tied to identity and device health.
- Private network connectors run on Windows servers near the private resources.
- Users need the Global Secure Access client on their devices.
- A phased, app-by-app migration with a fallback is the safe path.
How Private Access differs from a VPN
A traditional VPN puts the device on the corporate network. Once connected, users can often reach far more than their job needs, and so can malware on the device. Entra Private Access instead publishes specific destinations, such as an IP range, FQDN, port or protocol, and decides access per app with Conditional Access.
It builds on the same connector model as Entra application proxy but extends it beyond web apps to private resources over TCP and UDP. Traffic goes from the Global Secure Access client through Microsoft's edge to connectors inside your network, so you do not need inbound firewall openings.
| Area | Traditional VPN | Entra Private Access |
|---|---|---|
| What users reach | A network segment | Specific apps, hosts, ports and protocols |
| How access is decided | Credentials plus network membership | Identity, MFA, device compliance and risk via Conditional Access |
| Inbound exposure | VPN gateway exposed to the internet | Outbound-only connectors |
| Granularity | Usually broad | Per application or per segment |
| Client | VPN client | Global Secure Access client |
| Operations | Gateway capacity and tunnel rules | Connectors, traffic profiles and app ownership |
Quick Access versus per-app access
Quick Access is the fastest way to start. You define a broad set of private destinations behind one enterprise application, which feels like a VPN replacement on day one. Per-app access is the target state: each app or group of resources is its own enterprise application with its own users and Conditional Access policy.
Many organizations start with Quick Access to remove the VPN client, then carve out sensitive apps such as finance systems and admin tools into per-app access with stricter policies.
What to check before you commit
Most line-of-business apps, file shares, RDP and SSH work well. Some scenarios need testing or a different approach.
- Server-initiated traffic to clients, such as some remote support or management tools pushing to devices.
- Apps with hard-coded IP addresses, unusual protocols or many dynamic ports.
- Private DNS: confirm internal names resolve correctly through Private DNS settings.
- Kerberos single sign-on to on-premises apps and file shares through the connector.
- Client support: Windows, macOS, iOS and Android clients exist; confirm coverage for your fleet.
- Licensing: Private Access is sold standalone or as part of Microsoft Entra Suite; check current terms.
A phased migration plan
Treat this as an application migration, not a network change. Map every app, file share and resource that users reach over VPN, with owners, users and protocols. Strengthen the identity foundation first: MFA, compliant device requirements and emergency access accounts.
Deploy connectors near the resources, in pairs for resilience, and pilot with two or three representative apps and a small user group. Measure sign-in success, app behavior and help desk volume. Expand app group by app group, and retire VPN access for each group only after it has a tested path and a documented fallback.
When to keep a VPN
Some organizations keep a small VPN for IT staff, site-to-site links or legacy systems that cannot work through Private Access. That is fine, as long as it is limited to the people and networks that need it. Site-to-site connectivity between offices and Azure is a separate problem, usually solved with Azure VPN Gateway or SD-WAN, not Private Access.
How Accred Consulting approaches it
Accred Consulting plans and delivers VPN replacement with Entra Private Access in phases. Discovery maps private apps, protocols, owners, current VPN use and your Conditional Access and device posture. The proposal sets a clear scope, fixed price and timeline. US-based specialists then deploy connectors, configure Quick Access and per-app access, build Conditional Access, roll out the Global Secure Access client through Intune and pilot before expanding. VPN dependencies are retired one app group at a time. Handover includes documentation and knowledge transfer.
Track record: 475+ client projects, 2,000+ migration workstreams and 210,000+ users migrated by a US-based team. Company facts · Case studies
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