deploying-cloudflare-access-for-zero-trust

# Deploying Cloudflare Access for Zero Trust ## When to Use - When replacing VPN infrastructure with identity-aware application access using Cloudflare One - When exposing self-hosted internal applications through Cloudflare Tunnel without opening inbound ports - When implementing ZTNA for a distributed workforce accessing web applications, SSH, and RDP services - When needing a cost-effective zero trust solution with integrated DLP, CASB, and SWG capabilities - When securing contractor and third-party access to specific applications without full network access **Do not use** for applications requiring persistent UDP connections not supported by Cloudflare Tunnel, for environments requiring air-gapped or fully on-premises access control, or when regulatory requirements prohibit routing traffic through third-party cloud infrastructure. ## Prerequisites - Cloudflare account with Zero Trust subscription (Free for up to 50 users, paid plans for larger teams) - Domain name managed by Cloudflare DNS (or ability to add CNAME records) - Linux, Windows, or macOS server to run `cloudflared` tunnel daemon - Identity provider: Okta, Microsoft Entra ID, Google Workspace, GitHub, or any SAML/OIDC provider - Cloudflare WARP client for device-level enrollment (optional but recommended) ## Workflow ### Step 1: Create a Cloudflare Tunnel to Internal Applications Install `cloudflared` and create a persistent tunnel to expose internal services. ```bash # Install cloudflared on Ubuntu/De...