Boundary

Boundary is a HashiCorp secure remote access solution that provides secure access to applications and infrastructure without requiring VPNs, firewalls, or client software. It enables secure, zero-trust access to critical infrastructure and applications using identity-based access controls.

Key Characteristics

• Zero-Trust Access: Implements zero-trust security model
• Identity-Based: Access based on identity and policies
• No VPN Required: Eliminates need for traditional VPNs
• Session Management: Comprehensive session management

Advantages

• Security: Reduces attack surface by eliminating VPNs
• Simplicity: Simplifies access management
• Auditability: Comprehensive session logging and audit trails
• Scalability: Scales with growing infrastructure

Disadvantages

• Complexity: Complex to configure in large environments
• Learning Curve: Requires understanding of zero-trust concepts
• Dependencies: Requires identity providers
• Cost: May have cost implications for large deployments

Best Practices

• Integrate with existing identity providers
• Implement proper session recording and auditing
• Regularly review and update access policies
• Plan for high availability and disaster recovery

Use Cases

• Secure remote access to infrastructure
• Database access management
• Application access control
• Multi-cloud environment access