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.
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.
The process of connecting to a business network through a VPN is simple and straightforward:
This reliable connection process has made VPNs a popular choice for remote access across many industries.
Smaller organizations or those just beginning to support remote work often choose VPNs as their first remote access solution because they offer benefits like:
While VPNs offer many advantages, they also come with limitations that businesses should consider carefully. These include:
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.
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:
This dynamic approach to security makes ZTNA especially effective for modern workplace needs.
ZTNA offers several benefits that address today’s security challenges, including:
Despite its benefits, ZTNA does come with some potential downsides that organizations should keep in mind, such as:
We put together a comparison chart to help you determine which approach to remote access security is best for your business needs:
Selecting the right remote access solution depends on your organization's specific needs, infrastructure, and security requirements. Here’s a quick breakdown:
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.
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.
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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