There is not a permanent cyber security solution that will guarantee online protection at all times. The concept of cyber security is more like a cycle. First, IT professionals develop technologies to curtail hackers. But hackers find new ways to exploit these technologies and the cycle starts again.
Enterprise VPN solutions are at the stage where a new cycle begins. There is a variety of emerging cyber threats and companies need other ways to protect their networks. Issues like remote access and cloud security enforce this change and we have just the right list of VPN alternatives for enterprises.
Content's List
1-) Identity and access management (IAM)
The access model where the system only asks for username and data can lead to security gaps; you can’t always know if this information is in the right hands. When you consider that 61% of all data breaches include stolen credentials, this is not a good way to ensure secure access.
Identity and access management technology adds extra control and security when employees access enterprise resources. This solution lets companies include far-reaching verification methods such as 2FA. The main purpose of IAMs is to correctly verify the end-user based on credentials and identity-based authentication.
IAM grants access based on these verifications, but the authorized users are specified by IT security teams. Thus, this comprehensive system offers complete security when it comes to access requests. Not a single unauthorized user’s attempt is granted if they are not allowlisted and authorized users can only have access after a series of verification to prove their identities.
2-) Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a modern cybersecurity framework first introduced in The Future of Network Security Is in the Cloud report by Gartner in 2019. It is designed to converge network connectivity and security so the network monitoring can be done from a single, comprehensive structure.
SASE uses cloud-based services such as SD-WAN, CASB, or FWaaS, allowing this framework to be accessible regardless of location. Another upside of this model is the ability to protect private networks edge-to-edge as SASE brings verification and authentication to the doorsteps of users.
One thing to note about SASE is that it is not a product; it is a profound framework consisting of several different products. This is actually what makes SASE better and more secure than other frameworks.
Since traditional VPN solutions mostly depend on hardware, SASE stands as a great candidate to replace these solutions with the ability to operate in the cloud and provide secure remote access.
3-) Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
Most VPN solutions consider insiders as trusted sources. Once the user is allowed into the network, all the resources are accessible to them without any further validation for authorization.
However, nothing or no one can be trusted when it comes to cyber security, and that’s what Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is all about. ZTNA works on the “never trust, always verify” basis so that the network is always ready for a potential breach that may come from insiders.
In a ZTNA model, users are always required to verify their identity for specific parts of the network or before every activity. This verification is done context and identity-based using methods such as acceptable login hours, 2FA authentication, biometrics, or SSO.
If you’re looking for alternatives to VPN for remote access, ZTNA is a great choice. Even if users’ devices or credentials are stolen, cybercriminals cannot access resources since they won’t be able to pass these identity-based methods.
4-) Software-defined perimeter (SDP)
Traditional networks define the security perimeter based on hardware; however, modern companies use cloud services, SaaS tools, and other business applications. In other words, there is a whole different network on the internet in addition to in-house data centers.
Companies that use software-defined perimeter (SDP) can make their online infrastructure invisible to others on the internet, except authorized users of course. That’s why this technology is also known as “the black cloud.”
Authorized users of a private network operating under SDPs can access resources regardless of geographical locations if they can verify themselves and their devices. Other users can’t even see this black cloud. This is because the perimeter is defined on the network layer and not in the application layer, unlike other access control systems that allow wide network access.
Conclusion
VPN solutions were once the best cybersecurity services in the market. However, the changing dynamics of online businesses, as well as cybercriminals, made a shift from this solution obligatory. We need new VPN alternatives in tune with the times.
We compiled some of the best of these alternative solutions that are able to meet the needs of modern companies. Based on their principles and the problems they address, these four are compatible to protect cloud environments and remote work models which are common among today’s businesses.
Being up to date is one of the most crucial things in cyber security, so don’t be stuck on traditional VPNs when they are no longer practical. Consider one of these better and newer options for your company’s safety.