Secondary Brokers in Thinfinity Architecture: Bridging Networks and Enhancing Security through Zero Trust Access

Secondary Brokers in Thinfinity Architecture: Bridging Networks and Enhancing Security through Zero Trust Access

Introduction

In the evolving landscape of network security and virtualization, the concept of Secondary Brokers has emerged as a pivotal component in the Thinfinity architecture. These brokers are instrumental in creating Zero Trust Networks for both ZTNA and ZTAA deployments. This article delves into the definition, functionality, and benefits of Secondary Brokers, focusing on their role in secure and efficient network access.


What is a Secondary Broker?

A Secondary Broker is a specialized component within the Thinfinity architecture that takes the Virtualization Server process to a higher level by offloading it to target networks where the final connections are established. Unlike traditional network configurations, Secondary Brokers enable a seamless connection to various resources across different networks and locations without the need to open any inbound ports.

Specific Uses of Secondary Brokers

Secure alternative to a Jump Server

Secondary Brokers can function as a jump server to access a target IT or OT network on any private cloud or private data center. This capability allows for secure and streamlined access to critical network resources, providing an additional layer of control and security.



Application Pool Replacing TS Collections

Secondary Brokers can also be utilized to replace TS collections through the creation of Application Pools. By having multiple Secondary Brokers with the same pool name, a load balancing scenario is created that pools the applications across multiple servers. This enhances efficiency and ensures optimal resource allocation.




How Secondary Brokers Work


Deployment

Each Secondary Broker can be deployed in different networks, such as a data center or public cloud. This flexibility allows for multiple resources across various networks and locations to be made available within the same Thinfinity Workspace.

Secure Access

Secondary Brokers facilitate secure access to resources on multiple networks without generating any footprint of the accessed data centers. By eliminating the need to open any inbound ports on the target network, they provide a robust security layer that adheres to the principles of Zero Trust.

Simplified Management

One of the standout features of Secondary Brokers is the ease of installation and management.  IT managers are spared the complex networking tasks typically associated with secure access to on-premises resources. By simply installing the Secondary Broker on the target network, any resource on that network becomes accessible without additional networking configurations.

Benefits of Secondary Brokers

Zero Trust Security
By adhering to the principles of ZTNA and ZTAA, Secondary Brokers ensure that trust is never implicitly granted based on network location. This enhances security by requiring continuous verification.

Network Flexibility
The ability to deploy Secondary Brokers across various networks and locations provides unparalleled flexibility in accessing resources.

Reduced Complexity
Secondary Brokers eliminate the need for complex networking configurations, allowing IT managers to focus on other critical tasks.

Scalability
The architecture supports scaling according to the organizational needs, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes.

Conclusion

Secondary Brokers represent a significant advancement in the field of network security and virtualization. With specific applications as a jump server and in creating load-balanced application pools, they offer a streamlined solution for both ZTNA and ZTAA deployments.
Their role in simplifying network management, enhancing security, and providing flexibility makes Secondary Brokers an essential component in modern network architecture. Organizations looking to adopt a Zero Trust approach would do well to consider the integration of Secondary Brokers into their existing infrastructure.