Beyond VPNs: The future of secure remote connectivity

Why VPNs are no longer enough

VPNs have been essential for secure remote access but were primarily designed for a time when employees worked in fixed locations, which is no longer the norm. As more individuals work remotely and utilize cloud applications, VPNs have struggled to keep pace.

Scalability is a major issue with VPNs. When too many employees and devices connect through a VPN, performance suffers, resulting in slower speeds, increased latency, and a frustrating user experience. Additionally, VPNs rely on a perimeter-based security model, assuming that everything within the network is trusted, leaving organizations vulnerable to internal threats.

Another challenge is the lack of control. VPNs lack detailed, dynamic security policies, allowing users to access more resources than necessary once connected, posing a security risk if credentials are compromised. This may necessitate additional measures for identity theft protection, depending on the sensitivity of the data involved.

Furthermore, VPNs are not optimized for cloud environments where resources are spread across various services, making them harder to secure.

What is a software-defined perimeter?

Software-defined perimeter (SDP) is a modern security framework designed to provide secure remote access by concealing network resources from unauthorized users. Unlike traditional security models that rely on a fixed perimeter like firewalls, SDP adopts a zero-trust approach where no one is inherently trusted, regardless of their location.

SDP functions by establishing secure, encrypted connections between users and the specific resources they require. It first verifies the user’s identity, device, and context before granting access, allowing connection only to authorized resources.

This methodology reduces the attack surface as unauthorized users cannot even detect the existence of resources they lack access to.

Another significant advantage of SDP is its adaptability. Being cloud-native, it can secure connections seamlessly across on-premise and cloud environments, making it ideal for remote work, BYOD policies, and hybrid infrastructures where traditional VPNs fall short.

Additionally, SDP mitigates the risks of lateral movement within a network. Thanks to the zero-trust model, if an attacker gains access to a segment of the network, they are unable to freely navigate to other areas. SDP also integrates effectively with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and other identity verification tools to enhance security further.

What is secure access service edge?

Secure access service edge (SASE) is a cloud-based architecture that consolidates network and security functions into a unified, integrated service. Unlike traditional setups where security tools and networking are separate, SASE combines them, delivering security and networking via the cloud. This approach is tailored to support today’s distributed workforces and cloud-based applications.

SASE provides essential security features such as firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS), secure web gateways (SWG), cloud access security brokers (CASB), and zero-trust network access (ZTNA). These features collaborate to offer users secure access to necessary resources from any location without depending on conventional on-premise security systems.

An inherent strength of SASE is its scalability. It easily adapts to diverse environments such as hybrid, multicloud, and remote work configurations. Operating in the cloud, SASE reduces the necessity for intricate on-site infrastructure, cutting costs and simplifying management.

SASE also excels in performance. Rather than routing traffic through a centralized data center, which can lead to delays and increased latency, SASE directs traffic through the nearest cloud service point, resulting in faster data transmission and an enhanced user experience. Studies have demonstrated that SASE significantly reduces latency compared to traditional VPN setups, enhancing productivity for remote teams globally.

SASE further optimizes performance by minimizing latency. Instead of routing traffic through a central location, SASE directs it through the nearest cloud service, optimizing speed and efficiency.

VPNs, SDP and SASE: Which is right for you?

The choice between VPNs, SDP, and SASE depends on the specific requirements of your organization and how you manage remote access.

VPNs can still be suitable for smaller organizations with limited remote access needs or for individuals seeking to secure their online presence. They are easy to set up and cost-effective for securing smaller, less complex networks.

However, as larger organizations increasingly utilize AI for automating processes like customer service, data analysis, or sales, security risks become more complex. VPNs, relying on traditional perimeter-based security models, often struggle to address the advanced threats that accompany AI integration.

AI-driven systems manage sensitive data and are susceptible to new forms of attacks such as AI-targeted malware or data breaches. Even efficient utilization of AI for sales could pose challenges for remote companies. Is the productivity boost worth the heightened risk?

This elevates the stakes for companies, making advanced security solutions like SDP and Secure SASE more appealing. SDP employs a zero-trust model that verifies each user and device before granting access, essential for safeguarding AI systems and sensitive data. On the other hand, SASE merges networking and security into a single cloud-based service, ideal for large teams, multiple offices, and businesses heavily reliant on cloud services.

When is the right time to switch from VPN to SDP or SASE?

The decision depends on your organization’s size, network complexity, and security needs. If your company is experiencing any of the following scenarios, it might be time to transition:

Increased dependence on remote work or hybrid teams

If a substantial portion of your workforce is operating remotely, VPNs may not scale effectively. When numerous users connect, VPNs often introduce latency and performance bottlenecks, resulting in decreased productivity.

Moreover, traditional VPNs are not designed to secure cloud resources, leaving remote access to cloud applications vulnerable.

Requirement for enhanced security

VPNs operate on a perimeter-based model, assuming that anyone within the network is trusted. This can pose risks by enabling potential lateral movement in case of a segment compromise.

SDP’s zero-trust approach authenticates every user and device before granting access, ensuring tighter security controls, especially for organizations handling sensitive data or adhering to regulatory standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS.

Challenges in managing complex or distributed environments

If your organization is spread across multiple locations or heavily reliant on cloud applications, managing a traditional VPN setup can become burdensome.

SASE offers an integrated solution that merges networking and security in a unified cloud-based platform, reducing the need for separate on-premise security tools, streamlining management, cutting operational costs, and ensuring improved performance through local cloud gateways.

Performance issues due to network complexity

VPNs often route traffic through a central location, leading to delays and increased latency, particularly for global teams. SASE enhances performance by directing traffic through the nearest cloud service, reducing latency and enhancing the user experience.

If your users are experiencing significant delays with VPNs, transitioning to SASE can alleviate these issues.

Conclusion

Organizations are reevaluating how they manage secure remote access in response to the need for stronger, more adaptable solutions. Traditional perimeter-based security no longer aligns with today’s decentralized, cloud-based environments.

As remote work expands and cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the demand for enhanced security is evident. Solutions such as SDP and SASE provide the flexibility, scalability, and security that older technologies lack.

Companies embracing these modern solutions are better prepared to safeguard their networks and data while enabling secure access from any location.