What is Secure Remote Access (SRA)?
Secure Remote Access (SRA) is a cybersecurity approach that enables authorized users, such as employees, contractors, or third-party vendors, to access critical systems, applications, or networks remotely while enforcing strong authentication, encryption, and session-level controls. Unlike traditional remote access methods such as VPN or jump servers, SRA focuses on minimizing risk by isolating end user connections, verifying identity, and limiting access to only what’s necessary.
SRA is a foundational component of Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and is especially critical in environments where operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICS) must be protected from external threats.Why is Secure Remote Access (SRA) Important?
As critical infrastructure becomes more connected, the need for remote access to operational systems, whether for diagnostics, maintenance, or vendor support, has skyrocketed. At the same time, remote access is one of the most exploited attack vectors in cyberattacks on OT environments. Legacy tools like VPNs grant excessive network access and lack modern protections such as granular controls, session auditing, or real-time oversight.
Secure Remote Access closes this gap by enforcing identity-driven, least-privilege access, even for high-risk use cases such as third-party vendor access, zero trust remote login, or remote engineering work. SRA ensures that access is not only encrypted and authenticated, but also observable, auditable, and time-bound.
SRA plays a critical role in meeting compliance mandates across IEC 62443, NERC CIP, TSA SD02E, NIS2, and Saudi OTCC-1:2022, which require organizations to demonstrate control over who accesses sensitive systems, when, how, and for what purpose.
How Does Xona Help with Secure Remote Access (SRA)?
Xona delivers a modern, purpose-built SRA solution designed for cyber-physical systems and industrial environments. Instead of relying on traditional VPNs or PAM-based jump servers, Xona enables secure, protocol-isolated, browser-based access to OT and ICS systems via its hardened access gateway, with no direct network path between the user and the system.
With Xona, all sessions are authenticated, logged, recorded, and governed in real time, enabling organizations to grant access to internal engineers, OEMs, or contractors without ever exposing credentials or internal networks. The platform supports multi-factor authentication, time-based access control, credential injection, and session supervision, all within a frictionless user experience.Whether you’re replacing VPNs, modernizing remote desktop workflows, or implementing vendor access zero trust policies, Xona’s SRA solution enables secure, scalable, and compliant remote access to the most critical systems on earth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Secure Remote Access (SRA) different from a VPN or jump server?
SRA enforces identity-based, least-privilege access with session isolation and full auditing, while VPNs and jump servers typically allow broad network access and lack granular controls or session-level visibility.
Why is Secure Remote Access essential for operational technology (OT) environments?
SRA protects OT systems by eliminating direct connectivity from untrusted and insecure endpoints, supporting protocol-specific access, and enabling compliance with regulations that require controlled and auditable remote access.
What types of users typically use a Secure Remote Access solution?
What security features are standard in a Secure Remote Access solution?
How does SRA support compliance with standards like NERC CIP and IEC 62443?
How does Xona’s SRA approach reduce risk in critical infrastructure environments?
Xona uses protocol isolation, browser-based access, and disconnected architecture to ensure that no direct network path exists between remote users/vendors and OT assets, eliminating lateral movement and ransomware risks while maintaining full oversight and auditability.
