Why VPNs Are the Weakest Link in Remote Security

VPN’s (Virtual Private Network) have been a growing topic of conversation as technology has continued to evolve. It acts an encrypted tunnel for users trying to access the internet, hiding IP locations and protecting user’s data from any hackers, ISPs or advertisers. Places where a VPN is most beneficial include public spaces such as cafés or public transport.

When you connect to a VPN, you are essentially connecting not to your local network directly, but to a secure server located elsewhere. By having an encrypted connection, it means that others can’t see what you’re doing. VPNs allow workers who work remotely to connect securely to network from anywhere, as well as making you appear as if you are somewhere else to where you really are e.g. appear in France when you are in England.

But whilst a VPN can be a beneficial tool to have, it is also viewed as the weakest link in remote security. There are a number of factors for this:

• Overly broad access
• No context awareness
• Endpoint risk
• Stolen Credentials

Any of these factors are significant when explored more closely. For instance with overly broad access stems the problem of once you’re in on the server, you have access to the whole server and therefore that becomes a risk if someone with malicious intentions connects. This links to the next two points as VPNs won’t check on the health of a connected device or behaviour patterns. A VPN will ask a connecting device ‘did you login correctly’ rather than ‘should you be allowed access right now?’ Which makes those already connected a step ahead of the security. If the credentials to log in are ever stolen or exposed, the intruder can log in like a normal legitimate user and because the VPN trusts their connection, they might have instant wide internal access.

With VPN’s not being the best solution to remote security, it’s time to turn to alternatives which are well suited. WatchGuard has two different solutions which stand out for a user – firewalls and Zero Trust software.

Firewalls are well suited because they act as a security gate. Firewalls control network traffic as it comes in and out. Deciding on what data it will allow in and what data it thinks it should block. For example if a hacker tried to access a user’s IP address the firewall would be able to detect that and block it immediately. It helps protect your device or network from unauthorised access, hackers, and malicious programs.

Zero Trust is a bit like a security guard on the door of a nightclub; it wants to verify every user and device before they have access inside. Zero Trust check’s identity (login, MFA) and device security every time you try to access something, ensuring only authorised users can get in. As well as that, users are given the least privilege once they access, this means they are only able to see what they need to, meaning they can only reach specific files, apps, or systems required for their role not the entire network.

The SME Path to Zero Trust: Simple, Scalable, Affordable

Having now heard about what Zero Trust is, you’re probably thinking, how can it be integrated into your security. Firstly, the simple aspect – setting up Multi-Factor Authenticator (MFA) and securing logins. These are tools which do not take much time to set up usually as they are only cloud-based, for example Microsoft 365 security features. Using tools like these does not require complex infrastructure, which is especially important for SME’s as typically, they don’t have the staff capacity to be handling complex network environments as well as the larger enterprises.

Zero Trust is also very much a scalable framework for SMEs, so for a company which is aiming to grow, it is now possible for the company to expand its security at the same rate as other parts of an expansion. To start with, SME’s can use basic security as mentioned before like MFA but after that if you want to add device checks, monitoring and/or access controls, it’s very easy to do so. With modern working environments meaning users are not all under one office buildings roof, the Zero Trust framework is easily useable from hybrid or even remote locations. When adding Zero Trust, there is no need to rebuild systems, just adding more security layers should be enough.

What makes Zero Trust affordable as well is that much of the infrastructure required for it is already being used. By using existing tools such as Microsoft Entra, it is highly likely that the SME already has something like this already incorporated and therefore would avoid large setup costs of the classic security systems. As it is scalable and is introduced step-by-step, each stage reduces risk of cyberattacks without needing a full, expensive overhaul in one go. Allowing for smaller companies to pay as they grow helps too as then companies can reevaluate their level of security as and when they are able to.

Retire your VPN: A Modern Approach to Hybrid Work Security

Having now heard about what Zero Trust is, you’re probably thinking, how can it be integrated into your security. Firstly, the simple aspect – setting up Multi-Factor Authenticator (MFA) and securing logins. These are tools which do not take much time to set up usually as they are only cloud-based, for example Microsoft 365 security features. Using tools like these does not require complex infrastructure, which is especially important for SME’s as typically, they don’t have the staff capacity to be handling complex network environments as well as the larger enterprises.

Zero Trust is also very much a scalable framework for SMEs, so for a company which is aiming to grow, it is now possible for the company to expand its security at the same rate as other parts of an expansion. To start with, SME’s can use basic security as mentioned before like MFA but after that if you want to add device checks, monitoring and/or access controls, it’s very easy to do so. With modern working environments meaning users are not all under one office buildings roof, the Zero Trust framework is easily useable from hybrid or even remote locations. When adding Zero Trust, there is no need to rebuild systems, just adding more security layers should be enough.

The benefits of retiring VPNs are clear, most importantly, security will be stronger without it, any mischievous business can be conducted on Zero Trust and less risk of credentials being stolen. From a performance point of view, actually having no VPNs can make a difference to performance as there is no traffic backhauling. If you’re going to connect to a cloud-based app, you would no longer need to connect to a VPN first, just log in once with MFA and then you’re in until you log out again. Then as the business grows, it can scale the size of the security it needs to operate normally. With Zero Trust being faster, easier and more modern, there is no reason to not view the VPN as the weakest link now.

What makes Zero Trust affordable as well is that much of the infrastructure required for it is already being used. By using existing tools such as Microsoft Entra, it is highly likely that the SME already has something like this already incorporated and therefore would avoid large setup costs of the classic security systems. As it is scalable and is introduced step-by-step, each stage reduces risk of cyberattacks without needing a full, expensive overhaul in one go. Allowing for smaller companies to pay as they grow helps too as then companies can reevaluate their level of security as and when they are able to.

If you would you like to speak to one of our team to discuss Zero Trust or improving your remote network security, get in touch: security@purdi.com or 01488 647 647