The Problems With VPNs

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a way to establish secure remote connectivity and was once the gold standard. By creating encrypted tunnels between an agent (the user) to corporate networks, VPNs were a simple way to gain off-site access.

But the problem is:

• VPNs assume a hypothesis of trust after granting access.
• They do not have granular control over who has permission to access what.
• They can be hijacked with credential theft, and lateral movement is very easy.

VPNs are creating more blind spots than security boundaries in a cloud-first infrastructure model, BYOD policies, and a globalised workforce.

What Is Zero Trust Remote Access?

Zero Trust is not a solution. It is a security model predicated on the idea of “never trust, always verify.” It does not grant blanket access but is founded on the premise of continuous verification of users, devices, and context to allow access to any resource.

Applied to remote access, this means:

• Every connection is authenticated and authorised in real time
• Access is granted on a least-privilege basis.
• Activity is continuously monitored, regardless of location.

Why 2025 Demands a Zero Trust Shift

Cyber threats in 2025 are faster, smarter, and more targeted. Attackers exploit remote access vulnerabilities, especially VPN misconfigurations or exposed endpoints to gain a foothold.

Zero Trust addresses these gaps by:

• Reducing attack surfaces
• Limiting lateral movement inside the network
• Strengthening identity and device-based controls

With more organisations embracing hybrid and remote models long-term, Zero Trust is no longer optional, it's foundational.

Key Benefits of Zero Trust Remote Access

1. Stronger Identity Protection: Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) and behavioural biometrics to verify user legitimacy.
2. Device and Context Awareness: Grant or deny access based on device health, geolocation, time of request, and other contextual data.
3. Visibility and Control: Understand, in real-time, who is accessing what, from where, and why.

Whether you are just beginning your Zero Trust journey and/or expanding it across the organisation, you'll need a foundational cyber security strategy. Our experts can build and deploy a progress outline based on your unique needs. Reach out today to know more!