With the constant evolution of technology, malicious individuals or groups of people continuously come up with new ways to attack vulnerable people.
This includes organisations of any size. In light of these increasing cyber threats, relying on traditional VPNs may not be sufficient to protect corporate networks. Here is where ZTNA comes to the rescue.
What is VPN?
Before venturing out to ZTNA, one must understand what a virtual private network, VPN is.
To ensure the security of your sensitive data while accessing it from any public network, VPN is typically used. It creates a secure, private connection between your device and the corporate network, encrypting all data that passes through it to prevent unauthorised access.
Despite being the superheroes of secure remote access, VPNs come with limitations.
VPNs give users access to the entire network, not just the resources required to complete their tasks. Additionally, once users log in, they will remain connected until they log out. This may result in cybercriminals having more time to launch persistent attacks.
What is ZTNA?
Zero trust network access (ZTNA) differs from VPN in terms of its approach to security.
ZTNA assumes every network traffic is untrustworthy. With ZTNA, every user and device must prove its worthiness before being granted access to specific resources. This micro-segmentation technique is a significant game-changer in the security world. It significantly reduces the risk of cyber-attacks and is emerging as a top-notch alternative to traditional VPNs.
Not only that, but ZTNA also provides continuous monitoring and authorisation, keeping a watchful eye on who has access to what and revoking access when it is no longer needed.
ZTNA can be beneficial, especially with its enhanced security model.
By assuming everyone to be a potential threat, it thoroughly verifies their identity before granting access to any resources. Plus, ZTNA applies granular access controls based on user identity, device type, and other contextual factors, providing only the necessary resources to users who need them.
This approach limits the attack surface and reduces the potential impact of cyber-attacks. So, ZTNA users can bid farewell to insider threats and compromised credentials!
ZTNA vs VPN
To put it simply, imagine a security guard stationed at the entrance of a building. A traditional VPN would give anyone free access to roam the entire building.
On the other hand, ZTNA would act as a vigilant guard. It will only grant access to specific rooms based on a person’s identity. This approach makes it much harder for cyber-attackers to breach the building’s security.
Which one is the better solution?
In today’s modern work environment, people may access resources from various devices and locations. ZTNA will be the smarter choice for an organisation as it can be customised to only allow access to authorised devices and apply access policies based on the device type and location.
ZTNA offers a more robust security solution by helping individuals or organisations to minimise their attack surface, prevent security incidents from spreading, and grant access to only necessary applications and resources.
While VPNs may still be helpful in certain scenarios, organisations should explore the benefits of ZTNA to strengthen their security and defend against advanced threats.
