Before you start thinking about opting for Zero-Trust VPNs , keep in mind that there are no standards or alliances that define what needs to be done. Of course, this may change over the years, facilitating its mass adoption. For now, you should think about your own strategy, the one that allows you to have maximum control and visibility of those who connect to your network, and how. There is no final start-up phase of these VPNs. It is a path of continuous improvement that has no end.
Over the next few years, Zero-Trust VPNs will be in common use. What distinguishes them from the traditional ones? It not only provides authentication to the user but also to the device from which it will connect. That’s where the concept of “zero trust” (Zero-Trust) comes from, everyone equally will be checked for authentication and authorization . Both their devices and their credentials, regardless of the status you have.
It is not considered as a product in itself or a technology, it is a different way of thinking about security. There are numerous drawbacks in relation to traditional VPNs. Especially when we give access to people who are not very close to us. If an attacker appropriates someone’s VPN access credentials, without much difficulty, he can gain access. From anywhere and from any device, even if it was a mobile.
On the other hand, the difficulty in setting up a VPN and managing it has been increasing over time. It is as if the task had been reserved only for those users who are much more advanced.
How do I start mounting a zero-trust VPN?
The essential recommendation is not to cover too much if it is the first time. If the VPN you wish to mount will eventually involve many people, you can start with a small group. Even, with yourself, testing from other devices with experimental credentials. Now, if you already point to a corporate environment, put more focus on suppliers or third parties who collaborate with you in some task.
A point that has always characterized VPNs is that you can configure the instances or modules that users should access. However, Zero-Trust VPNs can provide what is necessary to ensure that effectively, authorized persons and devices have access to our network. It took about 10 years to make this alternative plausible for many.
A study published by the Swiss company Zug , specializing in providing offices, indicates that 70% of people working remotely do so from particularly unsafe locations . Consider airports, train stations, coffee shops or any place that is crowded and attractive to attackers.
This being the case, we must ensure that we connect to our environment in a safe, reliable and with the least possible risk. If you get to have the opportunity to connect via a Zero-Trust VPN, or think about setting up one, you will take an important step and collaborate in favor of a mass adoption that is becoming increasingly necessary.
