How To Upgrade Your VPN with Zero Trust

To understand why and how businesses can run VPN and zero trust side by side, we first need to understand the difference between each solution’s approach to security.

How To Upgrade Your VPN with Zero Trust

April 25, 2022

With VPNs on their way out in favor of a more secure zero trust approach, companies are wondering how to make this transition as efficiently as possible. Thankfully, the migration to zero trust need not be painful – and it can even include a period of using VPNs alongside ZTNA tools, explains Almog Apirion, CEO & co-founder, Cyolo. 

One positive development of the past few years is that many companies have placed greater priority on securing their networks and remote employees against cybersecurity threats. Many of these companies initially flocked to VPNs to solve their remote connectivity needs. However, the limitations of the VPN approach, which include security and ease of use, performance and ability to scale, quickly became apparent. Addressing these concerns is where the zero trust network access (ZTNA) model comes into play.

Security and IT professionals are growing increasingly aware of the benefits of a zero trust approach – so much so that the term ‘zero trust’ has become something of a buzzword in recent years. Still, many stakeholders remain hesitant to transition to an entirely new security architecture when they already have a VPN in place. Fortunately, they don’t have to. Companies can easily add zero trust access alongside their existing VPNs as they start the transition.

VPNs vs. Zero Trust 

To understand why and how businesses can run VPN and zero trust side by side, we first need to understand the difference between each solution’s approach to security. In the simplest terms, VPNs operate by creating a barrier around the information and applications companies want to keep secure. Once a user is verified and authenticated, they are permitted to cross that boundary line. And once users are past the boundary, they have free reign to access all the assets within the VPN’s perimeter. Like a lock on your front door, the VPN establishes outside protection for all the users inside. 

Zero trust takes a starkly different approach to the VPN model. Where VPNs grant complete trust to any user who has succeeded in entering the secure perimeter, zero trust not only performs an initial authentication but then continuously authorizes each user and device to detect anomalous activity or behavior. In addition, the zero trust framework prohibits ever giving any user complete network access. Instead, verified users can access only the particular applications, content or systems necessary for their job roles. 

When comparing the two models, it’s easy to spot the big red flag for VPNs. What if the system lets an untrustworthy user into the perimeter? Alternatively, what if a trusted user enters the perimeter, but their device has been compromised? As the sole means of security is the VPN’s protective boundary, every device and user within that boundary can now be compromised. 

See More: 5 Things To Think About When Shifting to Zero Trust

How Zero Trust Can Enhance Your VPN

With the increasing threat of cyber attacks, it’s only logical that companies would want to upgrade their approach to cybersecurity. But the thought of transitioning to an entirely new security model can be almost paralyzing, and even once the decision to migrate is made, it’s admittedly not a process that happens overnight. This is where we see the value of temporarily running VPNs and zero trust access side-by-side.

The first step any company will take in its zero trust journey is to evaluate which set of users poses the greatest potential risk. In most cases, third-party access to critical systems will be the first challenge to tackle. While third parties are transitioned to more secure zero trust access, other users in the organization can continue to use their VPNs. Then, once third parties have been secured, the next group of users – perhaps remote workers – can begin their transition. 

This gradual adoption process can be less overwhelming for the IT teams implementing the change. It allows companies to focus on securing their riskiest users first – thus achieving the maximum benefit to their security. 

Time to Take Action

Designed as a solution for workers occasionally needing to connect to the corporate network from outside the office, VPNs were never intended to serve the needs of a massive remote workforce. Moreover, cybersecurity threats have evolved rapidly since VPNs first came into use and are now able to breach the VPN barrier with relative ease. 

Implementing the zero trust model can take time, but it is a crucial and necessary step to ensure the continued protection of your most valuable assets. And thankfully, there’s no need to complete the transition all at once. Working together to guarantee the best possible results, IT and security teams can take steps to make the transition smooth and maintain maximum security throughout the entire process. 

Have you considered moving to Zero Trust? Tell us about your experience on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We love hearing from you!

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Almog Apirion
Almog Apirion

CEO and co-founder, Cyolo

He is an entrepreneur, experienced technology executive, and a former Navy Cyber Unit founder and commander with a long history of working within the cyber security and IT technologies domain. Prior to founding Cyolo, he was CISO at Orbotech where he headed the cybersecurity and IT departments, and was the head of the Cybersecurity Unit in the Israeli Navy. He received his bachelor's degree in computer science and economics, and his master's degree in computer science from Haifa University.
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