Google Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy
Network access control software
Network security software
- Features
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- Ease of management
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$6 per user per month
Free TrialFree version
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- Professional services (engineering, legal, consulting, etc.)
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What is Google Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy
Google Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy (IAP) is a cloud-based access control service that sits in front of web applications and selected TCP services to enforce identity- and context-based access policies. It is used by IT and security teams to provide zero-trust-style access to internal applications hosted on Google Cloud, and to protect applications exposed to the internet without requiring a traditional VPN. IAP integrates with Google Cloud IAM, OAuth-based identity, and Cloud Load Balancing, and can be combined with BeyondCorp Enterprise features such as device-based access signals.
Identity-centric application access
IAP enforces access based on authenticated user identity and IAM policy rather than network location. It supports application-level authorization for HTTP(S) apps and can also broker access to certain TCP services via IAP TCP forwarding. This fits organizations that want to reduce reliance on broad network access and instead grant per-app access.
Deep Google Cloud integration
IAP integrates natively with Google Cloud Load Balancing, IAM, Cloud Audit Logs, and Cloud Armor (when used together) for centralized policy and logging. This reduces the need to deploy and manage separate gateway appliances for apps hosted on Google Cloud. It also aligns well with organizations standardizing on Google Workspace/Cloud Identity for user lifecycle and authentication.
Centralized policy and auditing
Access decisions are expressed as IAM policies and can be audited through Google Cloud logging and monitoring services. This supports consistent access governance across multiple applications and projects. The model can simplify reviews by tying access to groups and roles rather than IP allowlists.
Best fit for GCP-hosted apps
IAP is primarily designed for applications fronted by Google Cloud Load Balancing and workloads running in Google Cloud environments. Organizations with many on-premises or multi-cloud apps may need additional components (connectors, network design changes, or alternative access paths) to achieve similar coverage. This can limit its usefulness as a single, uniform access layer across heterogeneous environments.
Not a full NAC platform
Despite being used for access control, IAP does not provide classic network access control functions such as switch/Wi‑Fi enforcement, endpoint discovery, or quarantine workflows. Device posture and context signals typically require additional Google services (for example, BeyondCorp Enterprise) and compatible endpoint management. Buyers expecting comprehensive NAC capabilities may find gaps.
Protocol and app constraints
IAP is strongest for HTTP(S) applications and has more limited patterns for non-web protocols. Some applications may require header-based identity propagation, OAuth/OIDC alignment, or specific proxy-aware configurations to work cleanly behind IAP. These constraints can increase implementation effort for legacy apps.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free (IAP for Google Cloud-hosted resources) | $0 | IAP features that protect Google Cloud–hosted applications and resources are available at no charge. Networking and compute charges for required load balancing still apply. |
| Chrome Enterprise Premium (covers IAP paid capabilities) | $6 per user/month | Required to enable paid IAP capabilities: proxy for non-Google Cloud resources, IAP customization, use of device attributes in access levels, and definition of custom access levels. Contact sales for enterprise or BeyondCorp packaging. |
Seller details
Google LLC
Mountain View, CA, USA
1998
Subsidiary
https://cloud.google.com/deep-learning-vm
https://x.com/googlecloud
https://www.linkedin.com/company/google/
