Skyhigh Private Access

Overview

Skyhigh Private Access is a zero-trust network access service for organizations replacing remote-access VPNs with controlled access to private applications. It suits teams that want to combine that access with data and threat controls across web and SaaS use. Its breadth is a strength, but mandatory SAML authentication and the lack of a Linux client are meaningful constraints.

Rather than granting broad network access, it denies access by default and grants specific access after authentication and authorization, applying identity, device and user context. A unified console covers web, SaaS and private applications, which may suit organizations consolidating those policies. Teams seeking only a straightforward remote-access replacement may find its wider security scope unnecessary.

Key features

Integrated data-loss prevention scans sensitive uploads and downloads, alongside antimalware inspection and Remote Browser Isolation integration. The broader capabilities include sensitive-data discovery, machine-learning-assisted classification, exposure and permission analysis, remediation workflows, web filtering, SSL inspection and compliance monitoring. These controls make the product more relevant to organizations that want data protection as part of private-app access; they also make it harder to justify if those needs are already covered elsewhere.

Access decisions use identity, device and user context. SAML authentication is mandatory for private applications, though users do not need to authenticate again for 12 hours after doing so. That interval limits repeated sign-ins, but SAML is a firm dependency for organizations choosing this access model.

A virtual-machine connector runs alongside each private application in a data center or private or public cloud environment, then makes a secure outbound connection to the Private Access Gateway. Network Level Access supports IP ranges, wildcard domains and subnets, while UDP support accommodates real-time communications, IoT connectivity and multimedia streaming. Skyhigh guarantees 99.999% uptime and says its cloud capacity can scale globally.

Clientless Access brokers HTTPS, RDP and SSH through a browser without Client Proxy, offering a route for personal devices, partners and contractors. For client-based access, however, Skyhigh Client Proxy supports Windows and macOS, not Linux. Organizations with Linux users should account for that limitation rather than assume the browser-based option covers every private-app workflow.

Pricing

Skyhigh Private Access is paid software with custom pricing. The Skyhigh Private Access plan has no published price, so buyers need to request a quote. No free plan or trial terms are provided.

There are no published plan tiers to compare: the named plan covers the product, and no cheaper plan or included seat or usage allowance is specified. Buyers should establish the cost and any applicable terms directly before deciding whether its additional data and threat controls make sense for their organization.

Platforms

Supported platforms include Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and browser-based access. Mobile support includes phones and tablets. Clientless browser access can serve unmanaged devices, while the installed Client Proxy is limited to Windows and macOS. Linux is not supported by that client.

Who it's for

Skyhigh Private Access is best suited to organizations replacing VPN-based private-app access while seeking shared policy controls and integrated data protection across private, web and SaaS applications. It is a stronger fit when the organization can use SAML and its client platforms align with Windows and macOS, with browser access available for suitable unmanaged-device needs.

Look elsewhere if Linux client support is essential, SAML cannot be made mandatory, or the organization needs a clearly priced, self-service option. The custom-pricing model also makes it necessary to establish costs before comparing its wider security scope with a narrower access product.

Pros and cons

• Pros: One policy console spans web, SaaS and private apps. This can reduce the need to manage those access policies separately.
• Pros: Data and threat controls sit alongside private access. DLP scanning, antimalware inspection and RBI integration suit organizations seeking more than VPN replacement.
• Pros: Browser-based access supports unmanaged devices. Clientless Access brokers HTTPS, RDP and SSH without requiring Client Proxy.
• Cons: SAML is mandatory for private-app access. Organizations that cannot rely on SAML cannot use that access path.
• Cons: Client Proxy does not support Linux. This narrows client-based deployment options for Linux users.
• Cons: Pricing is custom. Buyers cannot assess plan cost from a published price.

Alternatives

Zscaler Private Access is another paid private-access option. Its platforms include Linux as well as Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and web, so it is worth considering if Linux client coverage matters; its listed Standard plan is limited to private access for 5% of users.

Cyberhaven Data Security Platform is a paid option with API, extension, Linux, macOS, web and Windows support; consider it when those platforms better match your environment.

Forcepoint Data Security Cloud is a paid option spanning mobile, API, extension, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web and Windows platforms. It may suit buyers who need that broader platform coverage.

Netwrix Password Secure has a Self-service plan at $60 a year, with a one-year minimum purchase commitment. Consider it if a published annual price and self-service purchasing matter more than Skyhigh's private-app access scope.

Proofpoint Email DLP and Encryption is a paid option for Android, iOS, web and Windows.

Palo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud API Security is a paid option for API, Linux and web platforms.

Varonis Data Discovery and Classification is a paid option for Linux, self-hosted and web, with quote-based pricing.

Siberson Data Security Posture Management is a paid option supporting web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android.

For category browsing, see Data Security Posture Management Software, SaaS Security Posture Management Software, Cloud Security Platforms, Forward Proxy Software, Security Service Edge Software and Secure Access Service Edge Software.

Verdict

Choose Skyhigh Private Access if your organization wants private-app access with shared web and SaaS policies, data-loss prevention and threat inspection in the same security scope. Its chief advantage is that breadth; its clearest reasons to look elsewhere are mandatory SAML, no Linux Client Proxy and custom pricing.