REDEFINING NETWORK SECURITY WITH SDP
Don Boxley , CEO and Co-founder , DH2i , highlights the severe risk of relying upon a VPN security system and offers some compelling motives to transition to a cuttingedge Software-Defined Perimeter ( SDP ) solution .
nce hailed as a
O groundbreaking leap forward in IT security , the Virtual Private Network ( VPN ) reached its peak in the mid-90s , around 1996 . However , as the years have passed , it has become clear that VPN ’ s position as the newest and most exceptional solution in the rapidly evolving technology landscape has faded . The perpetual advancements in technology have overshadowed VPN , prompting us to reflect on its historical significance and acknowledge the need for more innovative and advanced security solutions .
The shift away from VPN began to take shape amid an ongoing progression towards more sophisticated security measures . However , it was the onset
Don Boxley , CEO and Co-founder , DH2i of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that brought the shortcomings of VPN technologies into sharp focus . With the rapid transition to remote work environments across the globe , cybercriminals capitalised on the inherent vulnerabilities of VPNs .
What makes organisations utilising VPN technology such an enticing target for hackers ? What insights have prompted companies taking steps to phase out this technology that may not have occurred to you yet ? It is crucial to consider the significant changes that have transpired in the world since the inception of VPN . Network security requirements have evolved significantly , becoming far more intricate than they were in the past . The current landscape is dominated by hybrid and multi-cloud configurations , alongside the pervasive presence of the Internet-of-Things . VPN technology finds itself woefully ill-equipped for these heterogeneous environments , as it was neither intended nor designed to safeguard companies operating within them . Consequently , organisations that persist in relying on VPN expose themselves to considerable risk due to the inherent vulnerabilities in VPN ’ s network security framework .
If you ’ re still relying on a VPN as your security system , ponder these four compelling motives to transition to a cutting-edge Software-Defined Perimeter ( SDP ) solution :
1 . Every VPN connection poses a critical vulnerability : The absence of robust network access regulation for its users . Each and every connection serves as an invitation to access a significant portion of a company ’ s network . Consequently , this creates an expansive lateral attack surface , offering potential adversaries virtually limitless opportunities to exploit a single entry point .
2 . The financial burden and vulnerability of physical infrastructure : VPN solutions not only impose significant costs on IT environments but also introduce inherent points of failure . This stems from the reliance on hardware VPNs , which necessitate the establishment of VPN tunnels and depend on physical processors for their operation . As an organisation requires more VPN tunnels , the need for an expanded hardware footprint and configuration of the physical infrastructure arises , initiating a complex and costly endeavor . Moreover , the maintenance of physical appliances to enhance their reliability adds to the recurring expenses faced by organisations .
3 . VPN security vulnerabilities are a cause for concern : The strength of passwords plays a pivotal role in determining the security of VPN connections and this realisation can leave one feeling uneasy . Despite advancements in password security best practices , including updates
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