Never trust. Always verify. Every request.
Tap a gate to see what Cloudflare checks.
Gate 1 of 4
Identity
Cloudflare Access verifies the user against your identity provider (Okta, Azure AD, Google, SAML, OIDC, GitHub).
- SSO via your IdP
- SCIM-synced groups
- MFA inheritance
- Service tokens for automation
On this page
Nanosek provides Cloudflare Zero Trust services for organizations adopting identity-aware access, VPN replacement, Secure Web Gateway controls, WARP, private application access, DNS filtering, HTTP filtering, network policies, device posture, cloudflared tunnels, split tunneling, Access policies, Gateway policies, logging, SIEM integration, troubleshooting, and managed Cloudflare operations. The service includes discovery, target architecture, phased rollout, pilot testing, policy design, user migration, observability, runbooks, and continuous optimization.
Who this is for
What Cloudflare Zero Trust helps solve
VPN replacement
Move broad network access toward identity-aware application access, WARP private routing, and scoped policy enforcement.
Private application access
Protect internal web apps, TCP services, developer tools, admin portals, and private APIs without opening inbound firewall paths.
Identity-aware access control
Use IdP groups, Access policies, device posture, country, IP, and service identity to make access decisions.
Contractor and third-party access
Scope access per application instead of granting broad VPN reach into private networks.
Admin portal protection
Place privileged web applications behind Access policies, stronger identity checks, and audit-friendly controls.
Developer access to internal tools
Support Git, Kubernetes, databases, CI/CD, SSH, internal APIs, and tooling through WARP, Access, service tokens, and private routing patterns.
Secure Web Gateway
Use Gateway DNS, HTTP, and network policies to add visibility and control for internet-bound user traffic.
DNS filtering
Apply category, security, and custom DNS policies while preserving internal DNS behavior with local domain fallback.
HTTP filtering
Control web traffic by user group, category, risk, destination, file type, and policy action after pilot validation.
Network traffic policies
Define network-level controls for ports, protocols, private ranges, and egress behavior through Gateway and WARP.
WARP device connectivity
Deploy WARP profiles for user devices with route, DNS, posture, and Gateway settings that match user groups.
Device posture enforcement
Require managed-device state, OS version, disk encryption, certificates, security agents, or other supported signals before access.
Private network routing
Route internal IP ranges through cloudflared tunnels, virtual networks, and WARP private routing with clear ownership.
SaaS visibility
Use Gateway logs and CASB where in scope to identify risky SaaS usage and policy opportunities.
DLP and data protection
Introduce DLP controls carefully with monitoring, exceptions, and business-owner review where data protection is in scope.
Centralized logging and investigation
Send Access, Gateway, WARP, tunnel, and policy events to dashboards, Logpush, SIEM, and managed operations workflows.
Why Zero Trust rollout needs careful design
Cloudflare Zero Trust is not just enabling WARP or putting Access in front of a few apps. It changes how users authenticate, how private applications are reached, how DNS behaves, how traffic is routed, how devices are evaluated, how SaaS and internet traffic are inspected, and how security teams investigate user activity.
Our Cloudflare Zero Trust approach
Discovery and current-state assessment
- Review current VPN usage, private applications, user groups, identity provider, device platforms, network ranges, DNS behavior, existing SWG tools, SaaS usage, compliance needs, support workflows, and logging requirements.
- Identify critical user groups, high-risk applications, privileged users, contractors, developers, admins, and business-critical access paths.
Target Zero Trust architecture
- Define the Cloudflare Zero Trust architecture across Access, Gateway, WARP, device profiles, cloudflared tunnels, private routes, virtual networks, split tunnel strategy, identity groups, device posture, logging, and rollback.
- Decide which applications use browser-based Access, client-based WARP private routing, service tokens, mTLS, or other access patterns.
Identity and policy design
- Integrate identity providers such as Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, Google Workspace, or other supported IdPs.
- Define Access policies, user groups, SCIM group sync, device posture checks, service authentication, admin controls, and emergency access.
- Design least-privilege access by application, user group, device state, country, IP, and risk context where appropriate.
Private application and tunnel design
- Design cloudflared tunnel placement, connector redundancy, private routes, DNS resolution, local domain fallback, virtual networks, and split tunnel behavior.
- Validate routing for HTTP apps, TCP apps, SSH, RDP, databases, Kubernetes services, internal APIs, and developer tools where in scope.
Gateway and WARP rollout
- Configure WARP profiles, Gateway DNS policies, HTTP policies, network policies, TLS inspection strategy, DLP and CASB controls where in scope, and device deployment method.
- Start with pilot users and visibility-focused policies before broad enforcement.
Pilot validation
- Test authentication, device registration, DNS resolution, private app access, split tunnel behavior, SaaS access, TLS inspection, policy actions, logs, and user experience.
- Collect feedback and tune policies before production rollout.
Production rollout and migration
- Expand by user group, department, country, device type, application, or traffic category.
- Migrate VPN use cases gradually while keeping rollback paths, support channels, and incident workflows ready.
Observability and managed operations
- Configure Access logs, Gateway logs, WARP device data, tunnel health, Logpush, dashboards, alerts, SIEM integration, reporting, and troubleshooting runbooks.
- Continue tuning policies, routes, exceptions, and support workflows after launch.
Migrating from VPN to Cloudflare Zero Trust
Cloudflare Zero Trust capabilities we help operationalize
Cloudflare Access
Used for identity-aware application access, admin portals, self-hosted apps, SaaS-like private apps, and policy enforcement.
Self-hosted application protection
Used to put browser-accessible private apps behind Access policies without broad network access.
SaaS application access controls
Used where SaaS access needs identity-aware controls, visibility, or policy enforcement through Cloudflare capabilities.
Service tokens
Used for machine-to-machine access, automation, CI/CD, and non-human service authentication.
mTLS for service authentication
Used where stronger service or device authentication is required for private or partner access.
Gateway DNS policies
Used for DNS filtering, security categories, custom block/allow lists, and resolver visibility.
Gateway HTTP policies
Used for web filtering, file controls, tenant-aware policy, HTTP inspection, and staged enforcement.
Gateway network policies
Used for port, protocol, IP, private network, and non-HTTP traffic controls.
Cloudflare WARP
Used as the device client for private routing, Gateway filtering, DNS policy, device posture, and Zero Trust traffic enforcement.
WARP device profiles
Used to target policy, split tunnel, DNS, posture, and routing behavior by user group or device population.
Split tunnels
Used to define which traffic enters Cloudflare and which traffic remains local or direct, balancing security and user experience.
Local domain fallback
Used to preserve internal DNS behavior for private namespaces, AD-integrated DNS, and local resolver dependencies.
Private network routing
Used to reach private IP ranges through WARP and tunnels without exposing broad inbound access.
cloudflared tunnels
Used to connect private applications and networks to Cloudflare without inbound firewall exposure.
Tunnel connectors
Used for resilient tunnel placement, redundancy, monitoring, ownership, and change control.
Virtual networks
Used where overlapping IP ranges or segmented environments require separate route contexts.
Identity provider integration
Used to connect Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, Google Workspace, or other supported IdPs to Access and Gateway policies.
SCIM group sync
Used to keep identity groups current so policies do not depend on stale manual group management.
Device posture checks
Used to require device state such as managed status, OS version, disk encryption, certificates, or endpoint security signals.
CASB
Used where SaaS discovery, posture, and shadow IT visibility are in scope.
DLP
Used where sensitive-data controls require monitoring, careful tuning, exceptions, and enforcement planning.
Remote Browser Isolation
Used for higher-risk browsing, contractor access, or isolation of risky web destinations where in scope.
TLS inspection
Used for HTTP policy enforcement where certificates, exceptions, user impact, and compliance requirements are validated.
Access logs
Used for application access review, user activity, authentication decisions, and incident investigation.
Gateway logs
Used for DNS, HTTP, network, SaaS, and internet traffic visibility and policy tuning.
WARP device logs
Used for device connectivity, posture, user troubleshooting, and rollout validation.
Logpush
Used to send Access, Gateway, and Zero Trust events to SIEM, storage, dashboards, and managed operations workflows.
SIEM integration
Used for correlation, security operations, reporting, investigation, and long-term retention.
Terraform/API automation
Used to make Access apps, Gateway policies, tunnels, routes, and settings repeatable and reviewable.
| Control | When Nanosek uses it |
|---|---|
| Cloudflare Access | Used for identity-aware application access, admin portals, self-hosted apps, SaaS-like private apps, and policy enforcement. |
| Self-hosted application protection | Used to put browser-accessible private apps behind Access policies without broad network access. |
| SaaS application access controls | Used where SaaS access needs identity-aware controls, visibility, or policy enforcement through Cloudflare capabilities. |
| Service tokens | Used for machine-to-machine access, automation, CI/CD, and non-human service authentication. |
| mTLS for service authentication | Used where stronger service or device authentication is required for private or partner access. |
| Gateway DNS policies | Used for DNS filtering, security categories, custom block/allow lists, and resolver visibility. |
| Gateway HTTP policies | Used for web filtering, file controls, tenant-aware policy, HTTP inspection, and staged enforcement. |
| Gateway network policies | Used for port, protocol, IP, private network, and non-HTTP traffic controls. |
| Cloudflare WARP | Used as the device client for private routing, Gateway filtering, DNS policy, device posture, and Zero Trust traffic enforcement. |
| WARP device profiles | Used to target policy, split tunnel, DNS, posture, and routing behavior by user group or device population. |
| Split tunnels | Used to define which traffic enters Cloudflare and which traffic remains local or direct, balancing security and user experience. |
| Local domain fallback | Used to preserve internal DNS behavior for private namespaces, AD-integrated DNS, and local resolver dependencies. |
| Private network routing | Used to reach private IP ranges through WARP and tunnels without exposing broad inbound access. |
| cloudflared tunnels | Used to connect private applications and networks to Cloudflare without inbound firewall exposure. |
| Tunnel connectors | Used for resilient tunnel placement, redundancy, monitoring, ownership, and change control. |
| Virtual networks | Used where overlapping IP ranges or segmented environments require separate route contexts. |
| Identity provider integration | Used to connect Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, Google Workspace, or other supported IdPs to Access and Gateway policies. |
| SCIM group sync | Used to keep identity groups current so policies do not depend on stale manual group management. |
| Device posture checks | Used to require device state such as managed status, OS version, disk encryption, certificates, or endpoint security signals. |
| CASB | Used where SaaS discovery, posture, and shadow IT visibility are in scope. |
| DLP | Used where sensitive-data controls require monitoring, careful tuning, exceptions, and enforcement planning. |
| Remote Browser Isolation | Used for higher-risk browsing, contractor access, or isolation of risky web destinations where in scope. |
| TLS inspection | Used for HTTP policy enforcement where certificates, exceptions, user impact, and compliance requirements are validated. |
| Access logs | Used for application access review, user activity, authentication decisions, and incident investigation. |
| Gateway logs | Used for DNS, HTTP, network, SaaS, and internet traffic visibility and policy tuning. |
| WARP device logs | Used for device connectivity, posture, user troubleshooting, and rollout validation. |
| Logpush | Used to send Access, Gateway, and Zero Trust events to SIEM, storage, dashboards, and managed operations workflows. |
| SIEM integration | Used for correlation, security operations, reporting, investigation, and long-term retention. |
| Terraform/API automation | Used to make Access apps, Gateway policies, tunnels, routes, and settings repeatable and reviewable. |
Zero Trust use-case matrix
VPN replacement
Access, WARP, private routes, tunnels
Start with application and route discovery before replacing VPN.
Browser-based private apps
Cloudflare Access
Good for web apps, admin portals, internal tools, and SaaS-like private apps.
TCP/UDP private apps
WARP private routing and tunnels
Validate DNS, ports, routes, split tunnel behavior, and user groups.
SSH and RDP access
Access, WARP, tunnels, service policies
Apply identity-aware controls and audit-friendly access patterns.
Developer tools
WARP, Access, service tokens, private routing
Validate Git, Kubernetes, databases, CI/CD, and internal APIs.
Contractor access
Access policies, app-specific controls, service tokens
Avoid broad VPN access and scope access per app.
Secure Web Gateway
Gateway DNS/HTTP/network policies
Start with visibility, then enforce by category, risk, and user group.
DNS filtering
Gateway DNS policies
Align resolver behavior, device profiles, and local domain fallback.
Device posture
WARP posture checks
Phase enforcement by user group and device platform.
SaaS visibility
CASB and Gateway logs
Identify shadow IT and risky SaaS usage.
Data protection
DLP policies
Start with monitoring and tune before blocking.
TLS inspection
Gateway inspection policies
Roll out carefully with exceptions and pilot validation.
Incident investigation
Access logs, Gateway logs, Logpush
Build dashboards and triage workflows.
| Use case | Cloudflare capability | Design notes |
|---|---|---|
| VPN replacement | Access, WARP, private routes, tunnels | Start with application and route discovery before replacing VPN. |
| Browser-based private apps | Cloudflare Access | Good for web apps, admin portals, internal tools, and SaaS-like private apps. |
| TCP/UDP private apps | WARP private routing and tunnels | Validate DNS, ports, routes, split tunnel behavior, and user groups. |
| SSH and RDP access | Access, WARP, tunnels, service policies | Apply identity-aware controls and audit-friendly access patterns. |
| Developer tools | WARP, Access, service tokens, private routing | Validate Git, Kubernetes, databases, CI/CD, and internal APIs. |
| Contractor access | Access policies, app-specific controls, service tokens | Avoid broad VPN access and scope access per app. |
| Secure Web Gateway | Gateway DNS/HTTP/network policies | Start with visibility, then enforce by category, risk, and user group. |
| DNS filtering | Gateway DNS policies | Align resolver behavior, device profiles, and local domain fallback. |
| Device posture | WARP posture checks | Phase enforcement by user group and device platform. |
| SaaS visibility | CASB and Gateway logs | Identify shadow IT and risky SaaS usage. |
| Data protection | DLP policies | Start with monitoring and tune before blocking. |
| TLS inspection | Gateway inspection policies | Roll out carefully with exceptions and pilot validation. |
| Incident investigation | Access logs, Gateway logs, Logpush | Build dashboards and triage workflows. |
Private application access patterns
Pattern selection for private application access
Browser-based internal web apps
Cloudflare Access
Best for HTTP applications, admin portals, dashboards, and internal tools that can be safely exposed through Access.
Internal TCP/UDP applications
WARP private routing
Use for non-browser protocols where users need client-based private network access.
Machine-to-machine access
Service tokens
Use scoped service identity for automation, CI/CD, monitoring, or partner workflows.
Stronger service authentication
mTLS
Use certificate-based authentication where service identity needs stronger assurance.
Private origin connectivity
cloudflared tunnels
Connect apps and networks without inbound firewall exposure and with connector ownership.
Overlapping private ranges
Virtual networks
Separate route contexts for overlapping networks or segmented environments.
Privileged admin apps
Access policies
Use identity, group, posture, and contextual controls for high-risk applications.
Private traffic governance
Gateway network policies
Control ports, protocols, destination ranges, and group-specific private traffic behavior.
Internal DNS dependencies
Local domain fallback
Preserve internal DNS resolution patterns and avoid DNS conflicts during WARP rollout.
| Pattern | Cloudflare target | Design notes |
|---|---|---|
| Browser-based internal web apps | Cloudflare Access | Best for HTTP applications, admin portals, dashboards, and internal tools that can be safely exposed through Access. |
| Internal TCP/UDP applications | WARP private routing | Use for non-browser protocols where users need client-based private network access. |
| Machine-to-machine access | Service tokens | Use scoped service identity for automation, CI/CD, monitoring, or partner workflows. |
| Stronger service authentication | mTLS | Use certificate-based authentication where service identity needs stronger assurance. |
| Private origin connectivity | cloudflared tunnels | Connect apps and networks without inbound firewall exposure and with connector ownership. |
| Overlapping private ranges | Virtual networks | Separate route contexts for overlapping networks or segmented environments. |
| Privileged admin apps | Access policies | Use identity, group, posture, and contextual controls for high-risk applications. |
| Private traffic governance | Gateway network policies | Control ports, protocols, destination ranges, and group-specific private traffic behavior. |
| Internal DNS dependencies | Local domain fallback | Preserve internal DNS resolution patterns and avoid DNS conflicts during WARP rollout. |
Cutover checkpoints
- Select the access pattern based on protocol, user group, device requirement, DNS behavior, and exposure model.
- Validate DNS, split tunnel behavior, tunnel health, private routes, and Access policy before user migration.
- Pilot with representative users and keep legacy VPN or emergency access available during transition.
Validation signals
- Authentication, device posture, DNS resolution, and private routing work for pilot users.
- Logs show expected Access, Gateway, WARP, tunnel, and policy events.
- Helpdesk can identify whether failures are identity, DNS, routing, posture, policy, tunnel, or application issues.
Deployment steps
- 01 Inventory VPN use cases, private applications, users, groups, routes, DNS behavior, devices, and current support workflows.
- 02 Design Access, Gateway, WARP, tunnel, route, split tunnel, local domain fallback, identity, posture, and logging architecture.
- 03 Integrate identity provider, SCIM groups, Access policies, service authentication, and emergency access process.
- 04 Build cloudflared tunnels, private routes, virtual networks, WARP profiles, and Gateway policies in a controlled pilot.
- 05 Validate authentication, DNS, private access, SaaS access, TLS inspection, logs, and user experience with pilot users.
- 06 Roll out by group, department, device type, geography, application, or traffic category with rollback and support channels ready.
- 07 Operate Access, Gateway, WARP, tunnels, logs, SIEM reporting, support workflows, and policy tuning after launch.
Risks and mitigations
Private apps become unreachable
Map apps, DNS, ports, routes, tunnels, policies, and test with pilot users before broad rollout.
DNS conflicts
Review local domain fallback, split tunnel settings, resolver behavior, and device profiles.
WARP rollout disrupts users
Use staged deployment, device groups, profile targeting, rollback instructions, and support communication.
Split tunnel mistakes reduce security or break access
Define include/exclude strategy carefully and validate by app and user group.
TLS inspection breaks apps
Start with pilot users, add scoped exceptions, and validate sensitive services.
Policies are too broad
Use identity groups, posture checks, app-specific policies, and least-privilege design.
Too many bypasses
Review exceptions regularly and tie each bypass to a business justification.
Tunnels lack resilience
Deploy multiple connectors, monitor health, and document ownership.
Overlapping networks create routing issues
Use virtual networks and careful route design.
Logs are missing
Configure Access, Gateway, WARP, tunnel, and Logpush visibility before enforcement.
Helpdesk is not prepared
Create support playbooks, user communication, and escalation paths.
| Risk | Mitigation |
|---|---|
| Private apps become unreachable | Map apps, DNS, ports, routes, tunnels, policies, and test with pilot users before broad rollout. |
| DNS conflicts | Review local domain fallback, split tunnel settings, resolver behavior, and device profiles. |
| WARP rollout disrupts users | Use staged deployment, device groups, profile targeting, rollback instructions, and support communication. |
| Split tunnel mistakes reduce security or break access | Define include/exclude strategy carefully and validate by app and user group. |
| TLS inspection breaks apps | Start with pilot users, add scoped exceptions, and validate sensitive services. |
| Policies are too broad | Use identity groups, posture checks, app-specific policies, and least-privilege design. |
| Too many bypasses | Review exceptions regularly and tie each bypass to a business justification. |
| Tunnels lack resilience | Deploy multiple connectors, monitor health, and document ownership. |
| Overlapping networks create routing issues | Use virtual networks and careful route design. |
| Logs are missing | Configure Access, Gateway, WARP, tunnel, and Logpush visibility before enforcement. |
| Helpdesk is not prepared | Create support playbooks, user communication, and escalation paths. |
Zero Trust rollout checklist
- Current VPN use cases inventoried
- Private applications mapped
- Protocols and ports documented
- Private IP ranges documented
- DNS behavior reviewed
- Identity provider integration confirmed
- User groups and SCIM sync reviewed
- Admin and contractor access patterns reviewed
- Device platforms documented
- WARP deployment method selected
- Device posture requirements defined
- Split tunnel strategy designed
- Local domain fallback reviewed
- Tunnel connector placement planned
- Connector redundancy planned
- Virtual networks reviewed where needed
- Access policies drafted
- Gateway DNS policies drafted
- Gateway HTTP and network policies drafted
- TLS inspection strategy reviewed
- Pilot user group selected
- Access and Gateway logs configured
- Logpush or SIEM integration reviewed
- Rollback and emergency access process defined
- Helpdesk and support workflow prepared
Deliverables
- Zero Trust current-state assessment
- VPN and private app inventory
- Cloudflare Zero Trust target architecture
- Identity and group mapping
- Access policy design
- Gateway policy design
- WARP rollout plan
- Split tunnel and DNS design
- Private routing and tunnel design
- Device posture plan
- TLS inspection strategy
- Pilot validation report
- Production rollout runbook
- Emergency access and rollback process
- Logging and SIEM integration plan
- Support and troubleshooting runbook
- Managed operations handover
Zero Trust and SASE relationship
Cloudflare Zero Trust is the practical implementation layer for identity-aware access, WARP, Gateway, private routing, device posture, and policy enforcement. Cloudflare SASE is the broader architecture that combines Zero Trust access, Secure Web Gateway, CASB, DLP, remote browser isolation, and cloud-delivered security operations. Nanosek can help with focused Zero Trust deployments or broader SASE programs.
When Nanosek should help
Frequently asked questions
What is Cloudflare Zero Trust?
Is Cloudflare Zero Trust the same as Cloudflare Access?
Can Cloudflare Zero Trust replace our VPN?
What is Cloudflare WARP?
How do you avoid breaking user access during rollout?
What are cloudflared tunnels used for?
How do you handle overlapping private networks?
Can Zero Trust include DNS and HTTP filtering?
Can this include device posture?
Can Nanosek manage Cloudflare Zero Trust after rollout?
Adopt Cloudflare Zero Trust without disrupting users
Nanosek helps you move from legacy VPN and fragmented access controls to a Cloudflare Zero Trust operating model with phased rollout, clear policies, strong visibility, and managed operations.