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.
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
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.