Glossary

Jump Server / Jump Box

Identity Access Management

What is a Jump Server or Jump Box?

A Jump Server, also known as a Jump Box, is a secure, intermediate system used to bridge access between a trusted network (such as an internal IT environment) and an untrusted or segmented network (such as an OT or DMZ zone). Users must first authenticate into the jump server, which then acts as a controlled gateway for accessing downstream systems like servers, routers, or industrial control systems. Jump servers are typically used to enforce segmentation, monitor access, and limit direct connections to sensitive environments. They are a traditional method of securing remote privileged access, often paired with VPNs and manual credential management.

Why is a Jump Server Important, and What Are Its Limitations?

Jump servers have historically played an important role in network segmentation and Privileged Access Management (PAM) strategies. By funneling administrative access through a central point, organizations can log user sessions, isolate traffic, and reduce the risk of direct exposure between users and critical assets. This architecture supports basic compliance requirements for auditability, accountability, and controlled access.

However, in modern threat environments, jump servers present significant limitations:

They often rely on full network connectivity, which increases the attack surface.
If the jump box is compromised, it may serve as a pivot point for lateral movement.
Many jump servers still expose credentials to users, increasing the risk of credential theft.
Their reliance on VPNs and agents makes them difficult to deploy, scale, and secure, especially in OT, ICS, or air-gapped environments

As zero trust architecture gains adoption and compliance mandates grow more stringent (e.g., NERC CIP, IEC 62443, NIS2, TSA SD02E), many organizations are seeking alternatives to traditional jump servers that provide better isolation, automation, and auditability.

How Does Xona Help Replace Jump Servers?

Xona eliminates the need for traditional jump servers by delivering disconnected access through a browser-based platform that proxies protocols like RDP, SSH, VNC, and WEB, without placing user endpoints on the same network as critical systems. Unlike jump boxes, Xona does not require VPNs, client software, or network-level trust. Users authenticate through identity providers (e.g., AD, SAML, LDAP), and Xona enforces role-based, time-based, and MFA-protected access policies.

Xona also delivers credential injection, meaning users never handle or see passwords, eliminating one of the biggest risks in jump server architectures. Every session is recorded, monitored, and logged for compliance and forensics, meeting or exceeding requirements set by IEC 62443, NERC CIP-005, and TSA SD02E.

By replacing static, agent-based jump servers with dynamic, zero-trust access, Xona improves security posture, simplifies operations, and supports secure access for critical infrastructure across both IT and OT environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main function of a jump server in a network architecture?

A jump server acts as a controlled intermediary that facilitates access from a trusted network to segmented or sensitive environments, such as OT or DMZ zones.

How does a jump server support privileged access management (PAM)?

It centralizes administrative access, allowing organizations to log sessions, enforce access controls, and reduce direct exposure of sensitive systems.

What are the security risks associated with traditional jump servers?

If compromised, a jump server can become a lateral movement platform; it often requires full network connectivity and may expose credentials to users, increasing attack surface and credential theft risk.

Are jump servers suitable for OT or air-gapped environments?

Traditional jump servers are not ideal for OT or air-gapped environments due to their reliance on VPNs, network connectivity, and software agents, which can introduce complexity and vulnerabilities.

Do compliance frameworks still accept the use of jump servers?

While allowed under some controls, many compliance standards like NERC CIP and IEC 62443 now emphasize stronger isolation, auditability, and zero trust principles that go beyond traditional jump server capabilities.

How does Xona improve upon or replace the role of a jump server?

Xona replaces jump servers with a disconnected, browser-based access platform that proxies sessions without creating direct network paths, enforces identity-based access policies, and eliminates credential exposure through injection and full session monitoring.