Perimeter 81: Cloud-native ZTNA for secure remote access
Perimeter 81, from Perimeter 81 Ltd, is a cloud-native Secure Access Service Edge platform that replaces legacy VPN appliances for distributed teams. The app builds a software-defined perimeter over a private global backbone, providing identity-based Zero Trust access, device posture checks, MFA/SSO integration, and Firewall-as-a-Service to protect Windows endpoints. Key capabilities include split tunneling, a Secure Web Gateway, and a unified cloud console across over 50 global PoPs. IT administrators and security teams gain a hardware-free way to manage remote access at scale.
What does the app provide for remote access?
The app implements Zero Trust Network Access to grant identity-based, per-resource access rather than broad network tunnels. In practice this means administrators define who can reach which internal services and the agent establishes secure, per-application tunnels to those resources. Core components include:
- ZTNA for granular access control
- Device posture checks before granting connectivity
- Firewall-as-a-Service and Secure Web Gateway functions
How does the app affect endpoint performance and latency?
Performance depends on routing choices and the chosen PoP. Split tunneling lets the app route only selected traffic through the secure tunnel, reducing unnecessary load on endpoints and corporate egress points. The platform's global network of over 50 PoPs reduces geographic hops for remote workers, which can lower latency for sessions routed through nearby locations. Administrators can choose per-policy routing to balance security and bandwidth for remote users.
Is the app safe to run on production machines?
Safety is handled through layered controls: the app enforces device posture requirements, integrates with MFA and SSO providers, and applies FWaaS and SWG protections at the network edge. Because access is granted on an identity-and-posture basis, the attack surface narrows compared with broad VPN access. The management console centralizes policies so administrators can audit and change rules without touching endpoint configurations directly.
Do I need technical knowledge to deploy and manage it?
Deployment targets IT administrators and security professionals; the platform advertises rapid configuration and can be set up across an organization in under an hour. The unified cloud management console centralizes user, gateway, and policy administration, which eases ongoing management but expects staff who understand identity and network policy constructs. Integrations with major cloud providers and SSO systems require typical admin steps to connect and test.
Perimeter 81 suits staffed IT teams that need to replace hardware VPNs
Perimeter 81 is a pragmatic option for IT teams that need identity-centric remote access and want to eliminate VPN appliances. It fits organizations with dedicated administrators who can stage policy rollouts and test gateway performance, since some regions report variable connection stability. Practical tip: pilot policies with a small user group and schedule gateway changes during off-peak hours to validate posture and routing before wide deployment. Recommended.
