Many businesses struggle to choose the right solution for protecting remote access to their critical systems. But while virtual private networks (VPNs) have served as a reliable standby for years, zero trust network access (ZTNA) offers newer capabilities that meet modern cybersecurity needs.
Let's explore how these solutions compare and which might work better for your organization.
What Is a VPN?
Virtual private networks are widely used remote access solutions that build a secure, encrypted tunnel between a user’s device and a private network. VPNs let employees, contractors, and partners access your internal resources from anywhere while keeping your data safe. Here's what you need to know about this trusted technology.
How VPNs Work
The process of connecting to a business network through a VPN is simple and straightforward:
- A user connects to the network through a VPN client.
- The client establishes an encrypted tunnel to a VPN server.
- Once authenticated, the user can access internal systems as if they were on the corporate network.
- The VPN maintains the encrypted connection throughout the session.
This reliable connection process has made VPNs a popular choice for remote access across many industries.
Advantages of VPNs
Smaller organizations or those just beginning to support remote work often choose VPNs as their first remote access solution because they offer benefits like:
- Ease of Use: VPNs are easy to deploy and maintain, making them a cost-effective solution for remote access.
- Encrypted Connections: VPNs secure data in transit, protecting sensitive business information from interception.
- Compatibility: VPNs work with most legacy systems and applications, providing seamless connectivity.
Challenges of VPNs
While VPNs offer many advantages, they also come with limitations that businesses should consider carefully. These include:
- Security Risks: VPN users often have broad network privileges when they gain access, which increases security risks. In fact, 56% of organizations were targets of cyberattacks exploiting VPN security gaps in 2024.1
- Performance Issues: VPNs can slow down network performance due to bandwidth constraints, especially for global or high-demand users.
- Lack of Granular Access Control: VPNs don’t differentiate between different users or apps, leading to over-permissioned access.
- Limited Scalability: Adding more users to a VPN can strain network resources and complicate management.
What Is Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)?
Zero trust network access is a fresh approach to cybersecurity that puts identity verification at the center of everything. This modern framework helps organizations manage access more precisely while maintaining strong security, which is likely why 63% of businesses worldwide have implemented a zero-trust strategy as of 2024.2 Let's look at how it works and what makes it different.
How ZTNA Works
ZTNA follows a more sophisticated approach to security than traditional VPN solutions – but this doesn’t make it any less user-friendly for employees and third parties that rely on fast, reliable access to corporate resources. Here’s how it works:
- Users attempt to access an application through a ZTNA gateway.
- The system verifies their identity using multi-factor authentication (MFA) and device security checks.
- Access is granted only to the necessary apps, not the entire network.
- The system continuously monitors user behavior and connection security.
- Access permissions can be adjusted in real time based on risk factors.
This dynamic approach to security makes ZTNA especially effective for modern workplace needs.
Advantages of ZTNA
ZTNA offers several benefits that address today’s security challenges, including:
- Advanced Security: ZTNA limits lateral movement, reducing the risk of breaches.
- Better Performance: Direct application access improves speed and reduces latency compared to VPNs.
- Granular Access Control: Users only get access to what they need, reducing security risks.
- Cloud-Readiness: Ideal for businesses with cloud-based applications and hybrid workforces.
Challenges of ZTNA
Despite its benefits, ZTNA does come with some potential downsides that organizations should keep in mind, such as:
- Setup Complexity: Deploying ZTNA requires a shift in access policies and security strategies.
- Integrations: Some legacy systems may require additional configuration to work with ZTNA.
- Cost Considerations: ZTNA solutions typically require more initial investment than VPNs.
ZTNA vs. VPN: Core Differences
We put together a comparison chart to help you determine which approach to remote access security is best for your business needs:
When To Choose VPN vs. Zero Trust
Selecting the right remote access solution depends on your organization's specific needs, infrastructure, and security requirements. Here’s a quick breakdown:
When Is VPN the Right Choice?
VPNs are a solid choice for businesses that rely on on-prem infrastructure and need a simple, cost-effective remote access solution. If your company has a small number of remote users and limited security concerns, VPNs can provide enough protection without requiring major changes to your IT environment. However, if you're planning to grow your business, VPNs may become a bottleneck in terms of performance and security.
When Is ZTNA the Better Fit?
ZTNA is great for organizations with a remote or hybrid workforce that requires secure access to cloud-based apps. It enforces strict access controls and continuous authentication so that users can only access the data and resources they need, reducing the risk of data breaches. For businesses that want to strengthen their overall security posture, ZTNA offers a modern, scalable alternative to VPNs.
Zero Trust vs. VPN: Find the Best Fit With Impulse
The choice between ZTNA and VPN matters for your organization's security and productivity. While VPNs still have a role in certain scenarios, ZTNA provides a more secure, scalable, and efficient approach to protecting corporate resources – especially in cloud-driven environments.
At Impulse, we’ve helped businesses like yours protect their sensitive data for nearly three decades. If you're looking to strengthen your cybersecurity strategy with a right-fit solution, we’re here to guide you through every step of the transition with deep industry knowledge and white-glove support.
Reach out today to explore the best cybersecurity solutions for your business.
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