Ivanti Secure Access Client Overview

Ivanti Secure Access Client enables secure authenticated connections to protected network resources over local and wide area networks. Ivanti Secure Access Client simplifies network connectivity by letting your network administrator configure your network access environment.

A secure connection encrypts your network traffic so that only your endpoint and the server it is communicating with can understand the content. Your network administrator defines the security settings that are employed by Ivanti Secure Access Client when it establishes a network connection.

An authenticated connection means that your endpoint and the server have both proven their identity to each other. The server uses a certificate from a trusted certificate authority to authenticate itself, and your endpoint presents your login credentials to the server. Your network administrator can configure your environment so that authentication happens automatically without prompting you for any information, although typically you are asked for your username and password when you connect.

A protected network resource is any network device or application that you access by means of an authenticated connection. For example, to access your organization’s e-mail system you first log in to your network. Your network administrator organizes protected network resources in realms and authorizes your access to those resources by granting access to selected realms. If you have access to more than one realm, you can select the realm you want when you connect to the network through Ivanti Secure Access Client. The network administrator can also define the security properties required to access a realm by enabling the Host Checker program. Host Checker runs when you connect to the network through Ivanti Secure Access Client. It examines your endpoint to ensure that it has required software such as current virus and malware protection. Your administrator can also configure your Ivanti Secure Access Client connections to allow access to only specific network based applications.

Your network administrator can configure access policies so that, after you connect to the network, your connection is portable. For example, if you connect your laptop to your company network from your home, you do not need to disconnect and then reconnect when you bring your laptop into your office. You can simply close your laptop at home. When you arrive at the office and open it up, Ivanti Secure Access Client senses the changed network environment. Ivanti Secure Access Client uses your connection profile information to configure your connection for appropriate access and authenticates you in the new environment. If your administrator has configured the location awareness feature of Ivanti Secure Access Client, then you will be connected to the appropriate network at startup time. For example, if your endpoint is started in a remote location, Ivanti Secure Access Client makes a connection to a WAN access device automatically.

Ivanti Secure Access Client enables your network administrator to “push” new software and important software updates to your endpoint when you connect to the network.