The VPN Alternatives Big Businesses Are Using to Revolutionise their Cyber Security
Cyber Security & Hacking
The pandemic brought with it many changes to day to day life and our working world, one of the biggest of which was the move toward remote working. With national governments urging people to stay at home, office workers were suddenly faced with the prospect of working from their kitchen table or spare room.
This of course brought with it a number of logistical problems, like how employees could fulfil their day to day duties with slow internet connections on personal equipment. Another logistical nightmare for employers was how they were going to maintain their cyber security whilst allowing their workers to access their networks remotely.
The quick and easy solution to this problem was to get employees using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). With the pandemic quickly disappearing into the rear view mirror, many businesses are now looking at more comprehensive ways to manage their cyber security.
In this article we take a look at some of the most popular enterprise VPN alternatives out on the market now. Read on to find out all about them.
Why VPN Alternatives?
You might be wondering why, if VPNs came in so handy during the pandemic, that many businesses are now looking to move on and find other security options. The answer to that is that VPNs were always seen as a stop gap, a short-term option to solve an unforeseen problem.
As a long-term option, VPNs just aren’t feasible as a security option for most businesses because:
- They are prohibitively expensive
- They don’t allow granular auditing
- Slow connection issues
- Desktop sharing problems
- Susceptible to hacking attempts
VPN Alternatives
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA):
The most safe and secure system out there, designed to make it as difficult as possible for hackers to gain access to your information. Working on the principle of least privilege, ZTNAs give users access to only the programs that they need to complete their tasks.
In addition to that, ZTNAs regularly ask users to complete authentication procedures to prove their identity and also use context to lock out threats. If, for example, you usually access a certain program between 1pm and 5pm on workdays you will have to complete an authentication procedure to access the same program outside of those times.
In terms of security, nothing quite matches up to a ZTNA. It is a system that is being adopted by companies in the financial and medical sectors where data protection and cyber security are of the upmost importance.
Software Defined Perimeter (SDP):
This form of security system is cloud based and operates heavily on context. Access to internal apps and programs are based on a user’s identity but are not completely rigid.
Data Input Technicians would not only be given access to programs that they needed to complete their role, but also to other, closely linked programs that would be linked to their duties. The best analogy for this security system is the internal security guard that lets you in and out of the building but knows which floor you have access to!
Identity and Access Management (IAM):
This security system is essentially an improved version of a VPN. Instead of simply inputting your username and password, you have to complete a couple of layers of authentication every time you log in through an IAM system.
In addition to that, the owner of the network is able to monitor and review each user’s activity and constantly update the programs, apps and files that they have access to.
Privileged Access Management (PAM):
Like ZTNA, this security system operates on the principle of least privilege. Where PAM differs though is that it isn’t as strict and that it can constantly be operated and monitored by a controller.
Instead of blocking access to a program or app, PAM systems will ask users to complete a series of password protocols to gain access. PAM also allows IT managers to monitor closely all user activity which helps with identifying suspicious behaviour.
What Security System is Best?
Ultimately the answer to that question depends on the unique needs of you and your business. If for example, your employees have regular access to sensitive data such as financial records, criminal convictions or medical records then a ZTNA is the best security option.
In implementing a ZTNA, you will be protecting all of that information with the highest level of cyber security possible. However, if your company specialises in tree surgery and landscaping. It doesn’t make sense to ring fence all of your programs and apps in a ZTNA.
Likewise, if you are a small business, then the cost of implementing any of the above mentioned security systems might be prohibitive. In that case, it would perhaps be best to stick with a simple and cheap VPN.
The VPN Alternatives Big Businesses Are Using to Revolutionise their Cyber Security
