Zero Trust has been a buzzword in the cybersecurity industry for some time now. It is an approach that advocates for strict access controls, increased visibility, and constant monitoring of all devices, users, and activities within an organization’s network. This approach differs from the traditional security model that relies heavily on firewalls and VPNs to protect the network perimeter. In this article, we will explore how Zero Trust can take over VPNs and why this shift is happening, including for remote access to 3rd parties such as partners.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have been a reliable way for remote workers and third-party partners to connect securely to their company’s network. VPNs allow users to connect to the company’s network from a remote location, as if they were physically present in the office. This technology has become even more critical in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as more people are working from home than ever before, and many third-party partners are working remotely as well.
However, VPNs are not without their limitations, particularly for remote access to third-party partners. For example, once a user gains access to the company’s network through a VPN, they are effectively inside the network perimeter. This means that if the user’s device is compromised, attackers can gain access to the entire network, including sensitive resources that may be shared with third-party partners. VPNs also create a single point of failure, meaning that if the VPN is breached, the entire network, including sensitive resources accessed by third-party partners, could be compromised.
Zero Trust, on the other hand, takes a different approach. It assumes that every user, device, and activity is potentially malicious and therefore must be constantly verified and validated, including for remote access by third-party partners. Zero Trust architectures use various techniques such as multi-factor authentication, micro-segmentation, and real-time monitoring to limit access to sensitive resources and detect any anomalies.
Zero Trust takes a granular approach to security, unlike VPNs that rely on broad access controls. Zero Trust provides access to resources based on the user’s identity, device security posture, location, and the sensitivity of the resource they are trying to access, including for remote access by third-party partners. This approach ensures that only authorized users, including third-party partners, can access sensitive resources, reducing the risk of a breach.
So, how can Zero Trust take over VPNs for remote access by third-party partners? The answer lies in the fact that Zero Trust is a comprehensive security framework that can be used to secure all aspects of an organization’s network, including remote access by third-party partners. Instead of relying solely on VPNs for remote access, organizations can use a Zero Trust approach that combines various security techniques to secure remote access by third-party partners.
For example, organizations can use multi-factor authentication to verify the identity of remote third-party partners before granting access to the network. They can also use device posture assessment to ensure that only devices that meet certain security requirements are allowed to connect to the network, including those used by third-party partners. In addition, organizations can use micro-segmentation to isolate and protect sensitive resources, including those accessed by third-party partners, so even if an attacker gains access to one part of the network, they cannot move laterally to other parts.
The shift from VPNs to Zero Trust is already happening, including for remote access by third-party partners, and many organizations are adopting a Zero Trust approach to secure their networks. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this shift, as more people are working remotely, and organizations are looking for more secure ways to enable remote access. Zero Trust offers a more comprehensive and granular approach to security than VPNs, and as a result, it is becoming the preferred approach for many organizations, including for remote
Thanks for the well written article Mahdi. Better security is perceived by people to be less convenient. Do you see any UX differences once VPN users move to ZT?