Secure Federal Operations Anywhere: Privileged Remote Access Now Available in GovCloud

The federal public sector operates under unparalleled security requirements, juggling sensitive operational technology (OT) and industrial internet of things (IIoT) systems while ensuring these devices remain protected from cyber threats, disruptions, and unauthorized access. To support these mission-critical needs, we are proud to announce the availability of Zscaler Privileged Remote Access (PRA) in GovCloud, bringing advanced zero-trust remote connectivity directly into the unique frameworks of federal government operations.

A Zero-Trust Solution Tailored for Federal Needs

Zscaler Privileged Remote Access stands apart as the industry’s only zero trust-based remote access solution for OT and IIoT systems. It’s engineered to eliminate reliance on traditional legacy technologies like VPNs, jump hosts, endpoint agents, or traditional Privileged Access Management (PAM) systems, which often fall short in providing secure and efficient access without exposing sensitive data or introducing unnecessary risk.

With Privileged Remote Access, federal customers gain fast, direct, and secure access to operational and IT systems—whether on the public infrastructure, in remote field locations, or during national defense operations—all while meeting the most stringent compliance standards.

Key Benefits for Federal Agencies

1. Fast and Reliable Access Without Complexity

Gone are the days of cumbersome and resource-heavy VPN deployments or traditional PAM systems. Zscaler Privileged Remote Access leverages the Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) platform to provide remote workers, contractors, and vendors with clientless remote access to production-critical systems (such as RDP and SSH) without requiring special client software on unmanaged devices or reliance on jump hosts.

This lightweight, agentless browser-based approach minimizes latency and enhances the connectivity experience for federal end-users operating from across the globe—whether in the field, during disaster response missions, or facilitating day-to-day functions.

2. Enhanced Security Through Zero Trust

Federal agencies are confronted with ever-evolving cybersecurity threats. Privileged Remote Access—with its zero-trust architecture—ensures that no remote system is ever trusted by default. Administrators are guaranteed secure access through a browser—with full audit and governance controls. Unmanaged third-party devices never touch private networks directly, eliminating the risk of malware injection. 

By prioritizing least privilege access principles and eliminating the attack surface created by VPNs and jump hosts, Privileged Remote Access enhances federal defenses against lateral movement, ransomware attacks, and unauthorized system interaction.

3. Unmatched Oversight Through Governance Controls

Agencies must maintain complete visibility and control over remote access sessions. Privileged Remote Access empowers federal IT teams with:

• Cloud-based session recording for full accountability and documentation.
• Streaming playback capabilities for audit and forensic investigation purposes.
• Real-time session monitoring to track activity and intervene when necessary.
• Ushered access for vendor and contractor sessions requiring real-time supervision.

These governance tools ensure that agencies can effectively supervise and safeguard every remote connection while meeting compliance requirements such as FISMA, FedRAMP, and GovRAMP standards.

4. Agentless Access Simplifies Federal Operations

Unlike solutions that demand endpoint agent deployment, Privileged Remote Access is clientless—enabling flexibility for agencies with unmanaged or restricted devices. This is particularly beneficial for federal contractors and third-party vendors who may rely on unfamiliar or non-standard devices. PRA enables secure access to admin consoles without compromising operational continuity, ensuring that mission systems remain accessible yet uncompromised.

5. Cost-Effective and Scalable

Budget constraints are always a consideration for federal agencies. Zscaler Privileged Remote Access minimizes operational costs by eliminating legacy VPNs and jump boxes. Its scalability ensures agencies of all sizes can benefit from the same robust capabilities—whether managing dozens of remote users or overseeing thousands of connections across vast federal infrastructures.

6. Mission-Critical Compliance and Safeguards

Privileged Remote Access in GovCloud is fully aligned with federal mandates and compliance frameworks such as FedRAMP and GovRAMP. Built explicitly for agencies working in secure and sensitive national settings, PRA provides peace of mind that your operational environment meets all cybersecurity safeguards required to protect controlled unclassified information (CUI), operational assets, and national infrastructure.

How Privileged Remote Access Works for Federal Teams

Privileged Remote Access simplifies the operational complexity associated with securing OT and IIoT systems:

1. Administrators configure secure access consoles without exposing the network directly to users.
2. Remote technicians, vendors, and contractors establish clientless, secure connections to sensitive production systems (RDP, SSH) using any standard browser.
3. Governance features like session recording, monitoring, and ushered access ensure oversight and accountability for every connection.

This streamlined process delivers unparalleled security and operational efficiency, ensuring remote workers access only what they need and no more while safeguarding federal infrastructure.

Privileged Remote Access in Action

Scenario 1—Disaster Relief Support:

During hurricane recovery efforts, federal technicians working remotely can securely access OT systems controlling energy grids, water management, and defense infrastructure—and provision just-in-time remote access for vendors and third-parties as required—all without compromising sensitive data or risking disruption.

Scenario 2—Maintain Critical Infrastructure:

Privileged Remote Access allows agencies to grant secure remote access to third-party vendors performing critical system maintenance while maintaining full session visibility and ushered oversight. It can also inspect software patches for potential malware using Zscaler’s Cloud Sandbox, reducing the risk of ransomware attacks.

Scenario 3—Agile Cyber Incident Response:

When a breach in operational systems must be addressed quickly, federal cybersecurity professionals can connect securely from anywhere, analyzing and neutralizing threats without unnecessary delays.

Empowering Federal Operations: Ready to Lead the Mission

With Zscaler Privileged Remote Access now available in GovCloud High and Moderate, federal agencies have access to a solution that redefines end-user security, compliance, and operational capability. By integrating zero-trust principles and high-performance connectivity tailored for sensitive OT and IIoT environments, federal teams can approach their missions with confidence, knowing their technology infrastructure meets the highest cybersecurity standards.

Take the Next Step

Elevate your agency’s remote access capabilities today. Schedule a demo or contact us for more information on how Zscaler Privileged Remote Access can securely extend your operations into remote and field locations.

Your mission demands security. We deliver it.