Bowtie Zero Trust Network Access vs Endian Switchboard: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)

Bowtie Zero Trust Network Access

Security teams managing distributed workforces across multiple cloud regions should prioritize Bowtie Zero Trust Network Access for its refusal to backhaul traffic through centralized gateways, which eliminates the bottleneck that tanks performance in traditional ZTNA deployments. The distributed control plane runs entirely on your infrastructure, not Bowtie's, and WireGuard encryption keeps private keys out of vendor hands, addressing the NIST PR.AA identity and access control requirement without trust dependency. This isn't for buyers seeking integrated secure web gateway capabilities from a single vendor; Bowtie's on-device SWG component is functional but plays second fiddle to its network access core.

Endian Switchboard

IT and OT teams protecting hybrid environments will find Endian Switchboard's strength in identity-driven microsegmentation; it enforces zero-trust access based on who users are, not just where they connect from. The platform covers NIST PR.AA (Identity Management and Access Control) and PR.IR (Infrastructure Resilience), meaning it locks down both logical and physical asset access while maintaining network integrity during enforcement. Skip this if you need deep forensics and threat hunting; Endian prioritizes access prevention and continuous monitoring over post-breach investigation and response.