Securing remote access to corporate resources has become a top priority for businesses of all sizes, especially with the significant increase in remote work. In 2019, only 4.7% of workers in the private sector primarily worked from home. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, with remote work becoming a widespread practice, businesses saw substantial increases in remote work. As of autumn 2024, more than a quarter (28%) of working adults in Great Britain were in hybrid working arrangements, combining both home and office work.
Traditional Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have long been the standard for secure remote access, but they come with inherent security limitations. As threats become more sophisticated, many organisations are now adopting Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) as a more modern and effective security approach.
ZTNA meaning: A paradigm shift in security
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a security framework that operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify”. Unlike traditional VPNs, which grant broad access to corporate networks, ZTNA makes sure that users and devices must authenticate and be continuously verified before accessing specific applications or data.
This approach significantly reduces the attack surface and minimises the risk of unauthorised access. Key principles of zero trust VPNs include:
- Least privilege access: Users and devices only gain access to the applications they need.
- Continuous verification: Identity and security posture checks are performed in real time.
- Network segmentation: Unlike VPNs, ZTNA does not expose the entire corporate network to users, reducing lateral movement by attackers.
How do traditional VPNs work?
A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between a remote device and the corporate network, allowing users to securely access company resources as if they were physically on-site.
While VPNs provide secure connectivity, they come with significant drawbacks:
- Excessive network access: VPNs often grant users broad access to internal resources, increasing the risk of lateral movement in case of a breach.
- Performance bottlenecks: VPN gateways can become overwhelmed with high traffic, leading to slow connections and productivity issues.
- Lack of granular security controls: VPNs do not differentiate between users based on their security posture, making them vulnerable to compromised credentials.
ZTNA vs VPN: Key Differences
| Feature | VPN | ZTNA |
| Access control | Grants full network access | Restricts access to specific applications |
| Security model | Implicit trust once authenticated | Continuous authentication and verification |
| User experience | Requires manual connection to VPN | Seamless, cloud-based access |
| Performance | Can be slow due to high traffic loads | Faster performance with direct cloud access |
| Scalability | Difficult to scale with remote workforce | Designed for modern, distributed workforces |
1. Security approach: implicit trust vs zero trust
Traditional VPNs operate under an implicit trust model: once a user is authenticated, they gain broad network access. This makes VPNs a prime target for cyberattacks, as compromised credentials can grant attackers access to multiple resources.
ZTNA, on the other hand, follows a zero trust model, meaning users are continuously verified and only granted access to specific applications based on their identity, device posture, and security policies.
2. Risk reduction and attack surface management
A major drawback of VPNs is that they provide attackers with a direct path into an organisation’s internal network. Zero trust VPN solutions mitigate this risk by segmenting access and ensuring that applications remain invisible to unauthorised users.
3. Performance and scalability
VPNs often struggle to handle the demands of a modern, remote workforce. Traffic bottlenecks and slow connection speeds are common, particularly when VPN infrastructure is not designed to scale effectively.
ZTNA solutions leverage cloud-native architectures, allowing users to securely access applications from anywhere without needing to route traffic through a centralised VPN gateway.
4. Compliance and regulatory requirements
Many industries have strict compliance requirements regarding data security and access control. ZTNA simplifies compliance by enforcing strict identity verification, reducing data exposure, and ensuring that sensitive information is only accessible to authorised personnel.
Why businesses should transition to Zero Trust VPN solutions
Given the security challenges associated with traditional VPNs, businesses should consider migrating to ZTNA-based solutions to enhance security, improve performance, and offer compliance. Here’s why:
1. Enhanced security and threat protection
By adopting a zero trust VPN approach, businesses can prevent unauthorised access, reduce the risk of insider threats, and means users and devices are continuously authenticated before accessing sensitive resources.
2. Improved user experience and productivity
ZTNA eliminates the need for cumbersome VPN logins and manual connections, providing users with a seamless and secure access experience. This enhances productivity while maintaining high security standards.
3. Simplified IT management and cost savings
Managing traditional VPN infrastructure can be complex and costly. ZTNA solutions reduce IT overhead by leveraging cloud-based security controls, eliminating the need for costly VPN hardware upgrades.
The debate of zero trust vs VPN is becoming increasingly relevant as businesses seek more secure and scalable remote access solutions. While VPNs have been the standard for decades, they no longer provide the security and flexibility needed in today’s evolving threat landscape. But ZTNA’s meaning is clear: a security model that enforces strict access controls, reduces attack surfaces, and improves user experience.
By adopting a zero trust VPN approach, businesses can future-proof their cybersecurity strategies, ensuring resilience against modern cyber threats. To explore how ZTNA can enhance your businesses security posture, contact Mintivo today.
