VPN, ZTNA or SDP | Which System Will Provide the Most Secure Network for My Business?
For businesses of all shapes and sizes, security is a growing concern. Our clients often ask us about the variety of network security solutions, and which one is the right choice for their business. It can be a very difficult decision which product to opt for, especially in this current climate of working remotely and cloud storage leaving some organisations more vulnerable. Whether to use VPN, ZTNA or SDP is a question that many company owners and network managers are facing right now, so we’ve put together this handy guide to help you make the right choice.
What Are They?
There are a lot of different perspectives out there on which system one should choose to keep their network secure, but before you can make an informed choice, you need to know what each of the options actually does.
VPN
Virtual Private Networks are probably the security system with which most people are familiar, as they’ve been in use for some time now. It comprises a system of authentication that takes place outside of a secure network, granting only the users it authenticates access.
Although they’re useful in many ways, they can be an expensive option for businesses and can sometimes slow the user down when they’re connected.
ZTNA
Zero Trust Network Access is something we often recommend our clients use as they are especially good for hiding IP addresses when accessing company applications. As their name suggests, they essentially work by not trusting any user with whom they come into contact – no matter how many times that user has accessed the system before. When interacting with ZTNAs, users will face a secure ID verification before being granted access.
SDP
Software Defined Perimeters also use a method of authenticating a user’s ID before granting them access to the network. They also hide a company’s assets from external parties, making it a great security solution for many businesses.
Users of an SDP are granted access to the network, but not without limits like with a VPN, as each user will have their own secure access point and will only be able to gain entry to predetermined areas.
Which is Best?
We always recommend that clients fully understand the benefits and risks associated with VPN, ZTNA and SDP before making their decision – as each option is an effective security product in its own right. It’s crucial that you opt for the system that works as seamlessly in your business as possible, while being geared towards your company’s particular style of operation.
There are several important drawbacks of using a VPN on its own, one of the main ones being the age of the technology. These systems were predominantly introduced in a period where many businesses relied on internal networks rather than cloud and other online based storage models. The rise of working from home since the pandemic has meant that VPN can be a little behind the times for a modern company.
Using a ZTNA has a few plus points that are often a big draw for our clients, especially when compared with a VPN. To start with, the lack of trust in users as well as devices adds another layer of authentication missing from VPN. This means that your employees who may use a company computer have the same access as those using their own device, without sacrificing security, as once a user is inside the network they only have access to certain things.
Like a ZTNA, an SDP has an advantage over VPN as they only grant the user permissions applicable to their connection, rather than allowing them free roam over the whole network. SDPs are especially useful for organisations that aren’t fully remote or fully office-based, as they can include security for the relevant infrastructure for both working styles.
What Should I Go For?
There has never been a more important time for businesses and organisations to be on top of their security and data management. There are a lot of dangers that can potentially have a huge impact on your ability to operate effectively.
Sticking with VPN
VPNs have done a fantastic job of protecting IT infrastructure for a number of years, and they certainly aren’t going anywhere any time soon. They remain effective for the most part and are still by far one of the most popular tools that organisations are using to protect themselves, their devices and other assets. They offer great features such as encryption of traffic, which stops criminals from being able to access the data on your network – this is one reason they have become increasingly popular for home private use as well as for commercial and operational functions.
Making the Change
Despite the reasonable effectiveness of VPNs, they are not always the right choice. We often advise clients that the other systems mentioned above provide far better security in a number of key areas. ZTNAs and SDPs both provide what is known as a ‘black cloud’, which makes protecting assets easy whether they are online or onsite. They also have far superior authentication processes, checking the user as well as the device and authenticating both. This process, coupled with the ability to restrict permissions to part of the network, are good ways of protecting from cybercrime. It’s hardly surprising that the market share of these products is increasing.
Combinations
Thankfully, we can recommend ways in which you can have the best of both worlds. It’s perfectly possible to incorporate your company’s existing VPN with the new and improved technological capabilities of ZTNA and SDP. Using this double-pronged approach can be a highly effective strategy for protecting your business.
Decision Time
Although the decision of which security system to go with is a tough one, it also represents a really big breakthrough in this area of company IT and network management. These products are hard to choose between because they offer exceptional security for myriad business and working models. We have a lot of experience in assisting clients with their access and security set up, so get in touch with us at Defended Solutions and we can provide a tailored answer to your specific needs.
