If your organization has network security vulnerabilities, it can lead to a cyberattack. Cyberattacks can cost organizations hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair the affected network.
If your organization currently uses a VPN solution, it may be out-of-date creating holes in your network security. Migrating to a ZTNA solution can improve your network security and help avoid cyberattacks.
No one wants to have poor network security and worry about their network being penetrated. Improving your network security will avoid the expensive costs of cyberattacks.
Coeo knows how important reliable network security is to an organization and has delivered thousands of network security solutions to organizations to improve their network security and avoid costly attacks.
We want you to understand the benefits of migrating from a VPN to ZTNA so you can make an informed decision on how to improve your network security.
By the end of this article, you will understand what a VPN is, what ZTNA is, the benefits of migrating from a VPN to ZTNA, and whether it is the right solution for your organization.
What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an internet-based platform that enables users to turn a public connection into a private one. A VPN will help protect a user from malicious actors when they are using a public network like the internet.
VPN tunnels are encrypted so malicious actors cannot decode the data preventing you from becoming the victim of a cyberattack.
What is ZTNA
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a security solution that requires verification from any user looking to access resources on a network.
This approach provides a solution that fixes some of the shortcomings of the perimeter-based network security model such as firewalls.
Firewalls protect the edge of your network and differentiate between trusted users inside your network and untrusted users outside your network.
With ZTNA, however, there is no trusted network because if someone compromises a device that is on your trusted network, your trusted network is no longer trusted. ZTNA is programmed so that every network is untrusted.
5 Benefits of migrating from VPN to ZTNA
Today, VPNs are outdated and may not be sophisticated enough to secure your network. Because of this, migrating from a VPN to a ZTNA network may be a good solution for your organization.
The benefits of migrating from a VPN to ZTNA include:
Improved security model
A VPN provides broad network access to users of the corporate network to users after they are authenticated by the VPN.
However, ZTNA provides a more secure approach to help lockdown the network and avoid cyberattacks.
Rather than authorizing users to the broad corporate network like a VPN does, ZTNA allows fewer privileges to users by only providing access to the specific applications needed.
As a result, this limits attacks on your network from malicious actors preventing detrimental damage to your network and important data from being compromised.
Better for a remote work environment
VPNs have limited scalability, user access, and security when it comes to the remote work environment.
However, ZTNA provides more flexibility, scalability, and security with the ability for users to access applications from any location without concern for network safety.
Improved user experience
Since a VPN is an outdated service, it can lead to poor user experiences such as high network latency issues.
With updated technology, ZTNA solutions offer better user experiences and can even access some applications without the need for an internet connection.
Cloud access
VPN's outdated technology may also be unable to provide secure access to cloud-based applications.
A VPN often needs to backhaul traffic from the cloud through the corporate data network to ensure traffic is secure.
ZTNA, on the other hand, can directly access cloud applications for better efficiency while maintaining a high level of security.
Compliance requirements
Depending on your industry’s compliance environment, traditional VPNs may not be compliant with their security requirements and data protection standards.
An example of this may be HIPAA compliance for hospitals or other healthcare organizations.
ZTNA is designed with security as the priority ensuring your network can comply with most security requirements.
Is ZTNA right for your organization?
Now you understand the benefits of migrating from a VPN to ZTNA. And even if you don’t currently use a VPN, ZTNA may still be the best solution for your business.
If your organization has poor network connectivity and security, a ZTNA solution may be the right fit for your organization.
Additionally, if your organization is having difficulty supporting remote workers and your employees can’t consistently connect to the cloud, ZTNA can help solve these issues.
If your organization finds it challenging to comply with data protection and network security standards, ZTNA can also help you improve that.
However, if you have a reliable network with good security and are not concerned about compliance issues, you may not need to invest in a ZTNA solution.
Purchasing ZTNA for your organization
Now you know what a VPN is, what ZTNA is, the benefits of migrating from a VPN to ZTNA, and whether a ZTNA solution is right for your organization.
This information will help you determine if a ZTNA solution is a better alternative
No organization can afford to have poor network performance or security vulnerabilities that results in reduced employee productivity and cyberattacks.
ZTNA can improve your network performance and security risks increasing productivity levels and helping you avoid spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on repairing your network following a cyberattack.
Coeo knows how important reliable network performance and security are to an organization and has delivered thousands of network solutions to organizations to improve their network performance and enhance security.
We want you to understand the benefits of migrating from a VPN to ZTNA so you can determine whether ZTNA is the best solution for your organization.
If you would like to speak with our team to learn more about ZTNA or ask any questions you may have you can schedule an appointment.
Now that you understand the benefits of migrating from VPN to ZTNA, check out this article to learn more about network security:
