Choosing the Right VPN Alternatives for Secure Remote Access

VPNs were once the go-to method for organizations offering remote access, but they’re no longer up to the task. As organizations adapt to a more mobile workforce and the growing use of BYOD and SaaS applications, they are increasingly turning to advanced solutions that can meet their evolving security needs more effectively. This blog will explore why now is the time to consider VPN alternatives that will strengthen your organization’s security posture.

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The evolution of internet privacy and security

Remote work was once a relative rarity. Most organizations only had to secure on-premises devices and manage digital interactions taking place inside the office. VPNs were a decent solution for the few teams that required secure remote access. Now, more people are working remotely than ever before; about one-third of professionals who have the option to work from home do so full time. 

The new reality of distributed teams and hybrid structures presents a slate of unique challenges. Even as BYOD policies become the norm at many organizations, securing those devices, the networks they connect to, and the data they interact with is a tall order. In today’s cyber landscape, VPNs are no longer the best choice for remote access. 

The limitations of traditional VPN technology

While VPNs were originally designed for remote access, they do not necessarily prioritize security. VPNs place too much trust in the device and the user, providing full network access to anyone with the right credentials. That turns VPNs and the devices that connect to them into critical attack vectors. In the event of a breach, everything stored on the device, any networks the device is connected to, and any software installed are all vulnerable to threat actors’ exploits. BYOD and SaaS apps have introduced entirely new threats that VPNs can’t handle.

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Why organizations are moving away from VPNs

In light of these modern challenges, many organizations are making the smart choice to move away from VPNs. Let’s dig into some of the most pressing shortcomings inspiring the search for VPN alternatives:

Security and privacy

VPNs create a broad access point that, if compromised, can expose an entire network to malicious actors. A successful breach of a VPN unlocks blanket network access that makes it easy for attackers to move laterally and escalate their attacks. VPNs also make networks particularly vulnerable to insider threats; they lack the ability to enforce granular access controls, making it difficult to apply the principle of least privilege, which is crucial for minimizing the potential damage from compromised credentials. 

Speed and performance

VPNs often introduce significant latency, slowing down internet speeds due to the need to route traffic through remote servers. As organizations grow and the number of remote workers increases, traditional VPN infrastructure is difficult to scale efficiently. That friction in the user experience also impacts the rate of adoption; frustrated employees are more likely to skip the VPN step completely rather than wait patiently for a web page to load.

Ease of use

There are also additional steps required to connect and disconnect from VPNs, which slows down work even more. Beyond the impact on end users, setting up and maintaining VPNs can also be unnecessarily complex and time-consuming for IT teams. 

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Understanding zero trust network access (ZTNA)

As organizations look away from VPNs toward newer remote access solutions, zero trust network access (ZTNA) has emerged as a powerful alternative. ZTNA solutions can help eliminate the gaps left behind by other secure remote access technologies and methodologies. 

There are a few key differences that separate VPNs from ZTNA. At their core, VPNs create a tunnel between two endpoints, granting network-level access based on connectivity. ZTNA, on the other hand, provides app-level access based on the principle of least privilege. Requiring authorization for each attempt to access an app is a more secure approach than granting blanket access based on an existing network connection. ZTNA also provides visibility into user activity, performs continuous endpoint security posture assessment, and offers a better overall user experience compared to VPNs.

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Other VPN alternatives for secure access

Other secure remote access solutions exist, and they can be used in conjunction with ZTNA for robust, comprehensive security. 

SD-WAN and network security 

SD-WAN enables organizations to centralize network management and more effectively apply application and routing policies across multiple workplaces. It’s most often used by organizations that are distributed across numerous physical locations like banks or school districts. An SD-WAN won’t necessarily be able to address new cloud-based security challenges on its own though, so remember to fortify it with other security tools like a security service edge (SSE) solution.

The rise of SSE as a comprehensive security solution

SSE solutions integrate security services directly into the network edge. ZTNA is one critical part of SSE infrastructure, providing secure, scalable, and adaptable access controls. Combined with a secure web gateway (SWG) and cloud access security broker (CASB), ZTNA makes SSE solutions a complete security stack.

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Lead a successful ZTNA migration

As remote work and cloud-based applications become the norm, organizations must move beyond traditional VPNs to ensure robust security, improved performance, and seamless user experiences. Embracing modern solutions like ZTNA and SSE is essential for addressing emerging threats and maintaining a secure, scalable, and adaptable digital infrastructure. To learn more about making the leap to ZTNA, watch our free webinar 5 Key Considerations for a Successful Migration from Legacy VPN to ZTNA hosted by Lookout head of IT, Joel Perkins.