Citrix vs Zscaler

Citrix Secure Private Access vs Zscaler Private Access: side-by-side comparison

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You need a zero trust solution that lets people work where they want, on the devices they want—without putting your data at risk.

As more people work remotely and applications move to the cloud, modern IT security is crucial. But not every provider can deliver the comprehensive protection you need.

If you’re looking for a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution, there’s a good chance you’re comparing Citrix and Zscaler. And you may have heard about the features promised by products like Zscaler Private Access. But do those offerings provide everything you need to protect your corporate resources?

As you determine which option is the best fit for your business, it helps to take a closer look at core capabilities. To help with your decision, here are several critical areas to consider.

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4 ways Citrix outperforms Zscaler

While ZTNA is the most modern choice for secure access to IT sanctioned applications, many organizations still use traditional technologies like virtualization and VPNs. Which means you need the flexibility to move workloads at the pace that works best for your business. As a leader in virtualization, only Citrix helps you access both VDI and non-VDI apps using the latest ZTNA technology.

1. Choice of connectivity for IT sanctioned apps

CITRIX SECURE PRIVATE ACCESS

Citrix Secure Private Access provides zero trust network access (ZTNA) to all virtual and private corporate applications—web, SaaS, TCP, UDP, and desktop as a service (DaaS)—whether they’re deployed on-premises or on any public cloud.

ZSCALER PRIVATE ACCESS

Zscaler Private Access does not cover the entire enterprise application spectrum. There’s no DaaS or UDP solution for bandwidth-sensitive apps, which can impact the user experience.

2. Native adaptive authentication and access policies

The way people work is changing, and traditional security architectures can’t keep up. As your users become more distributed, and as more applications are delivered from the cloud, you need to protect against modern-day attacks looking to exploit apps and APIs.

One of the best ways to strengthen your security posture? Intelligent authentication with multi-factor authentication (MFA). By continually monitoring sessions for anomalous behavior, you can ensure your applications and data stay secure—without compromising the user experience or hindering productivity.

CITRIX SECURE PRIVATE ACCESS

Citrix Secure Private Access features a native framework for adaptive authentication. Access is monitored at the application level based on factors such as geolocation, device posture, risk profiles, and more. In addition, adaptive authentication provides consistent policies that work across DaaS and ZTNA apps already in use by Citrix customers.

ZSCALER PRIVATE ACCESS

Zscaler Private Access leans heavily on device posture and third parties for risk profiles, and does not offer consistent policies across products and services. As a result, admins must create and maintain different policies for different products.

3. Keylogger and screen capture protection

With remote work on the rise, people are spending more time on public networks and personal devices—ones that can’t be closely monitored by IT. That means the risk from devices infected with keylogger and screen capture malware is a constant concern.

To protect against data exfiltration, it’s imperative to have a security strategy in place that specifically addresses these threats.

CITRIX SECURE PRIVATE ACCESS

Citrix Secure Private Access offers controls that prevent hijacking of user credentials or taking screenshots of applications—attack vectors commonly used by keyloggers and screen capturing malware. These policies are especially important for unmanaged and BYO devices that have been exposed to external threats.

ZSCALER PRIVATE ACCESS

Zscaler Private Access does not protect against malware looking to intercept and steal access to sensitive information. To protect against these threats, you’ll need to buy a completely separate service.

4. Enhanced security policies and integrated remote browser isolation

As the use of BYO devices increases, existing solutions like traditional VPNs fall short. These traditional remote access technologies don’t provide the protection you need. Because they require devices to be managed at all times, frustrated end users often go around IT when accessing corporate resources on personal devices.

CITRIX SECURE PRIVATE ACCESS

With Citrix Secure Private Access, granular security policies let you control what users can do within apps based on which devices they’re using. You can provide full functionality on corporate-owned devices, for example, while disabling downloads or the ability to copy and paste from unmanaged and BYO ones. And with integrated remote browser isolation technology, users can securely access corporate apps from unmanaged devices or without a ZTNA plugin. Local sessions are automatically redirected to a cloud-hosted browser, ensuring any malicious code on infected BYO devices won’t reach your application workloads.

ZSCALER PRIVATE ACCESS

Zscaler Private Access does not include any in-session security controls apart from multi factor authentication for BYO or unmanaged devices. It also requires a ZTNA plugin to be installed before a user can access even browser-based apps. And for granular security policies, Zscaler will push you to buy a completely new service such as Zscaler Internet Access, which can be very costly.

02

Comprehensive protection vs point solutions

 

When it comes to securing your hybrid remote workforce, there’s a lot to consider. You need to protect unmanaged and BYO devices. Control access to applications. Block dangerous malware. And you need to do it all while providing an outstanding user experience.

While there are plenty of providers that specialize in individual categories, such as ZTNA or application and API security, managing multiple vendors can be cumbersome and costly. And relying on a solution such as Zscaler Private Access can also set the stage for overages and extras, with new charges each time you need another product or package. This is not the case with Citrix.

As the industry’s most comprehensive offering, Citrix Secure Private Access lets you consolidate multiple point products into one simple solution. So you can easily address the full range of zero trust capabilities while delivering an exceptional user experience—no hidden costs or unexpected extras.

Secure access to IT sanctioned apps

Enhance security with adaptive authentication and single sign-on (SSO)

Securely support BYOD and unmanaged devices

Provide to access IT sanctioned apps—without increasing risks

WHITE PAPER

Citrix Secure Private Access: A better ZTNA alternative than Zscaler Private Access

Get an in-depth look at why Citrix Secure Private Access is the better option for providing secure, reliable access to all your applications.

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securing the global hybrid workforce

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16 million cloud users — and counting

A Citrix zero trust architecture helps prevent malware, data exfiltration, or VPN breaches and attacks. Citrix Secure Private Access…helps alleviate these risks. 

Sriram Sitaraman
CIO
Synopsys

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Getting started with Citrix Secure Private Access

You have a lot of options to consider. But while many solutions promise to protect your users and applications, only Citrix provides the all-encompassing zero trust security you need to cover all bases. And getting started is easy. Simply schedule your 1:1 expert-led demo for a behind-the-scenes look at adaptive authentication, granular security policies, the user experience, and more.