Why VPNs are becoming obsolete? Are VPNs a thing of the past? This article helps you understand the limitations of VPNs and why organizations are moving to modern alternatives.
The Traditional VPN Model
VPNs were designed for a different era when networks had clear perimeters and most employees worked from the office. They create an encrypted tunnel to connect remote users to the corporate network, granting access to internal resources.
Why VPNs Are Failing
- Excessive Trust - Once connected, users often get access to the entire network
- Performance Issues - Backhauling traffic through VPN concentrators causes latency
- Scalability Challenges - VPN infrastructure struggles with remote workforce scale
- Security Vulnerabilities - VPN exploits are frequently targeted by attackers
- Management Complexity - Multiple VPN gateways are difficult to maintain
The Rise of ZTNA
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) addresses VPN limitations by providing:
- Application-level access instead of network access
- Identity-based authentication and authorization
- Continuous verification throughout the session
- Direct-to-cloud connectivity for better performance
- Granular visibility into user and application behavior
Making the Transition
Organizations transitioning from VPN to ZTNA should:
- Inventory all applications accessed remotely
- Identify user groups and their access requirements
- Start with high-risk or high-value applications
- Run ZTNA in parallel with VPN during transition
- Gradually migrate users and decommission VPN
Conclusion
VPNs served their purpose but are no longer adequate for modern security requirements. Zero Trust approaches like ZTNA provide the security and flexibility organizations need today.
At Incrux, we help organizations modernize their remote access security. Contact us to discuss your transition from VPN.