What is Microsoft Global Secure Access?

Microsoft GSA is Microsoft’s cloud-based Security Service Edge solution that helps organizations give their employees safe and reliable access to company apps, data, and tools — no matter where they work. Think of it as a secure front door to all digital resources.

Instead of workers connecting directly to apps or the internet (which can be risky), they go through GSA, which checks who they are, what device they’re using, and whether the connection is safe before letting them in.

It is a Zero Trust-based Security Service Edge (SSE) solution within Microsoft Entra that delivers secure, identity-aware access to internet, SaaS, and private resources from anywhere, without requiring a full network connection like traditional VPNs. By enforcing least privilege access (granting users only the minimum permissions needed) it minimizes security risks through explicit verification and assuming potential breaches, offering more granular, per-app controls and adaptive policies compared to VPNs, which often expose entire networks and lack real-time adjustments. This makes GSA a more efficient, scalable alternative, enhancing performance via Microsoft’s global network while integrating seamlessly with tools like Conditional Access for contextual threat protection and reduced data exfiltration.