Best Zero Trust Access Alternatives to CyberArk

Zero trust access platforms enforce the principle of 'never trust, always verify' for every access request to systems and data. While CyberArk provides privileged access controls within a traditional security model, modern zero trust platforms verify identity continuously, elimin

Best picks for this use case

#1

Teleport

Teleport is the leading zero trust infrastructure access platform, eliminating VPNs and standing credentials with certificate-based authentication. Its open-source model and comprehensive protocol support make it the top choice for zero trust access.

Modern identity-aware access for SSH, Kubernetes, databases, and apps

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#2

StrongDM

StrongDM provides zero trust access through its transparent proxy architecture, verifying every connection and logging every query. Its ability to enforce least privilege without changing developer workflows makes it particularly practical for zero trust adoption.

Infrastructure access proxy with credential injection and session recording

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#3

HashiCorp Boundary

HashiCorp Boundary provides identity-based zero trust access designed for dynamic infrastructure. Its integration with Vault for credential brokering and Terraform for infrastructure management creates a complete zero trust access workflow.

Session broker from HashiCorp, pairs with Vault for JIT credential injection

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#4

One Identity

One Identity supports zero trust through its combination of identity governance and privileged access management, enabling continuous verification of access rights and enforcement of least privilege across both standard and privileged accounts.

Unified identity security platform with PAM and governance

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#5

Delinea

Delinea supports zero trust principles through just-in-time privileged access, privilege elevation controls, and continuous verification of privileged sessions, making it a practical zero trust option for organizations rooted in traditional PAM.

Cloud-ready PAM platform built on Secret Server and privilege management

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How to implement this

  1. 1

    Establish Identity as the Perimeter

    Deploy a strong identity foundation using multi-factor authentication, single sign-on, and identity verification for all users. Every access request must be tied to a verified identity regardless of network location, device, or previous access history.

  2. 2

    Eliminate Standing Privileges and Credentials

    Replace persistent credentials with just-in-time access grants, short-lived certificates, or credential brokering. Remove VPN-based access in favor of direct, identity-verified connections to specific resources. No user should have permanent access to any system.

  3. 3

    Implement Least Privilege Access Controls

    Define granular access policies that limit each user to the minimum permissions needed for their specific task. Use role-based and attribute-based access controls to enforce policies dynamically based on user context, device health, and risk signals.

  4. 4

    Verify Continuously and Monitor All Sessions

    Implement continuous verification that re-evaluates access throughout a session, not just at connection time. Monitor all sessions in real-time with logging, recording, and anomaly detection. Automatically terminate sessions that violate policies.

  5. 5

    Automate Response and Adaptive Access

    Build automated responses to security events such as step-up authentication for risky access patterns, automatic session termination for policy violations, and dynamic policy adjustment based on threat intelligence and behavioral analytics.

Frequently Asked Questions

CyberArk has evolved to support zero trust principles through features like just-in-time access, adaptive MFA, and least-privilege controls. However, its architecture is fundamentally credential-centric, using vaulting and session proxying rather than the identity-based, credential-less approach of purpose-built zero trust platforms like Teleport. CyberArk can be part of a zero trust architecture but may not be the most natural fit for organizations pursuing a fully modern zero trust model.

Traditional PAM manages access to privileged accounts through credential vaulting and session management, operating on a trust-but-verify model within a network perimeter. Zero trust access assumes no implicit trust, verifying every access request based on identity, context, and risk. Zero trust platforms often eliminate credentials entirely in favor of certificate-based or token-based authentication, while traditional PAM vaults and rotates credentials.

Modern zero trust platforms provide session recording, access logging, and audit trails that satisfy most compliance frameworks. Some regulated industries have specific requirements around credential management and vaulting that traditional PAM addresses more directly. When evaluating for compliance, focus on whether the platform provides the specific evidence and controls your auditors require rather than assuming traditional PAM is the only compliant approach.

Modern zero trust platforms like Teleport and StrongDM can be deployed in days to weeks for initial use cases, significantly faster than traditional PAM deployments. However, a full zero trust transformation across an organization typically takes 12 to 24 months, as it involves changes to network architecture, identity infrastructure, access policies, and organizational processes. Most organizations adopt zero trust incrementally, starting with the highest-risk access paths.
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