Anonymized Case Study

Example Engagement — SMB Zero Trust Architecture

A realistic reference engagement showing how we scope, design, implement, and validate an identity-bound access model using Cloudflare Zero Trust (Cloudflare One) for an SMB environment with remote users and vendor access.

Details are anonymized. The goal is to show structure, deliverables, and verification style — not to disclose any client data.

Environment

Client Profile

20–60 users (remote/hybrid)
1–2 person IT team
External vendors requiring periodic access
Mix of SaaS + a few internal apps (dashboards/admin tools)

Starting Point

Common SMB Baseline

Broad VPN access for staff + vendors
Shared vendor credentials (or long-lived accounts)
At least one internally hosted service exposed via public IP / port forward (sometimes)
Limited visibility into “who accessed what”

Objective

Replace broad network reachability with identity-scoped, application-level access.

Access Model Shift

Traditional Network Access → Identity-Bound Access

Traditional Model

VPN grants network-level reachability
Vendors often receive persistent credentials
Firewall exposure depends on NAT / port rules
Internal services sometimes reachable via public IP
Audit visibility spread across multiple systems

Identity-Bound Model

Access enforced per application (Cloudflare Access)
Vendors receive scoped access only to specific apps
No inbound firewall exposure (Cloudflare Tunnel)
Internal services remain private
Unified access logs at the enforcement layer

The change is not only technical. It shifts the security boundary from the network perimeter to identity-verified application access.

Architecture

Reference Design

Identity Provider integrated (Entra ID / Google Workspace / Okta)
Cloudflare Access policies: least-privilege, group-based, explicit conditions
Cloudflare Tunnel for internal apps: outbound-only connectivity, no inbound firewall ports
Vendor access model: separate vendor groups, restricted apps, optional device posture
Gateway (optional) for DNS/HTTP filtering where required (policy + logging)

The key is not “deploy a tool” — it’s defining the access matrix, enforcement logic, and operational ownership.

Delivery

Engagement Phases

Phase 1

Discovery (Access Architecture Assessment)

Inventory internal apps and access paths
Identify exposure (public IPs, port forwards, admin interfaces)
Map user groups + vendor groups
Define target access matrix (who → what → under which conditions)

Deliverable: Access Architecture Blueprint + Scope for implementation.

Phase 2

Implementation

Configure Cloudflare Zero Trust tenant
Integrate identity provider
Deploy Tunnel for prioritized apps
Write Access policies (groups, conditions, approvals if needed)
Stand up vendor access as a separate policy lane

Deliverable: Working enforcement with documented configuration and rollback notes.

Phase 3

Validation & Proof

Positive tests (authorized access works)
Negative tests (unauthorized attempts are denied)
Log trace validation (who accessed what, from where)
Confirm “no public exposure” for tunneled apps

Deliverable: Validation checklist + Proof notes for operational handover.

Phase 4

Operational Handover

Runbooks (user onboarding, vendor onboarding, revocation)
Change control guidance (policy edits, new apps)
Owner map (who approves, who operates)
Optional managed review cadence

Deliverable: Documentation package suitable for small IT teams.

Time & Scope

Typical Timeline

Discovery: 3–7 days (depends on app inventory and stakeholder availability)
Implementation: 1–3 weeks (depends on number of apps and vendor lanes)
Validation + Handover: 2–5 days

Exact scope is defined during Discovery. We avoid “magic installs” without operational ownership.

Next Step

Request an Access Architecture Review

If you’re running broad VPN access, exposed internal services, or unstructured vendor access, start with a structured assessment to define an enforceable access model.

Start the Intake View Zero Trust Services

International clients supported. Legal terms may vary by jurisdiction; engagement terms are confirmed before delivery.