Connection Methods

How to enable zero-trust security across your entire workforce, covering both client-based and clientless connection methods

  • Last validated: Jul 16, 2026
  • 3 minutes to read
  • Contributors

SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge’s device-centric security model has been designed from the ground-up for a modern workforce that comprises of many different types of users and devices. IT teams can employ one or more of the client-based and clientless options listed below for the different types of users and devices in their organization, all while enforcing consistent security policies.

Client-based and Clientless Scenarios

Desktop and mobile app

The app is a cross-platform endpoint client, installed on desktop and mobile devices. It supports access to various types of services with the most comprehensive user and device posture checks.

The app is ideal for the following use cases:

Browser Extension

The Chrome Extension is a lightweight browser extension that allows access to internal websites, infrastructure, and SaaS applications with fine grained controls, user authentication, as well as lightweight device posturing.

The Chrome Extension is ideal for the following use cases:

  • Users without admin permissions on their device
  • Vendors or contractors that prevent or restrict installing an agent to access resources

Clientless

Device Manager Integrated

SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge offers a clientless solution that allows access to internal websites, infrastructure, and SaaS applications with fine grained controls and user authentication without installing software on the client. It does device posture checks by verifying an MDM certificate to ensure the device is known. To configure this scenario, see Device Identity Using Certificates Installed by a Device Manager.

The clientless for registered device solution is ideal for the following use cases:

  • Ensure registered devices gain access without another agent
  • Users without admin permissions on their device

Unregistered Devices

SonicWall offers another flavor of clientless that allows access to internal websites with fine-grained controls and user authentication. There is no device posture check in this approach.

Using clientless for unregistered devices is ideal for offering least privileged access to hosted (internal) websites based on users and groups.


What’s next

Read more about different edge deployment models you can leverage with SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge.

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