SDP: The Paradigm Shift in Network Security You Can’t Ignore
In its heyday, the virtual private network (VPN) commanded immense respect as a groundbreaking leap forward in IT security, establishing an invincible perimeter for protecting confidential data. But that was almost 30 years ago in the mid-19902 (precisely 1996, in fact), when VPNs emerged onto the scene. As time has progressed and the security landscape changed, VPNs relinquished their claim as the newest and most exceptional network security solution.
When did the sparkle of VPNs begin to fade? The journey toward more advanced security solutions was already underway, but the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 highlighted the limitations of VPN technologies. With global workplaces transitioning to remote setups, hackers found ample opportunities to exploit the vulnerabilities inherent in VPNs. According to the 2022 VPN Risk Report from Cybersecurity Insiders, nearly half (44%) of the surveyed companies encountered a rise in cybercriminals targeting their VPNs.
What makes VPN technology such an enticing target for attackers? What insights have prompted companies to take 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 (IoT). VPN technology is woefully ill-equipped for these heterogeneous environments, as it was neither intended nor designed to safeguard companies operating within them. Consequently, organizations that persist in relying on VPNs 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, there are four compelling reasons to transition to a software-defined perimeter (SDP) solution instead:
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 organization 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 organizations.
3. VPN Security Vulnerabilities is a Cause for Concern: The strength of passwords plays a pivotal role in determining the security of VPN connections. Despite advancements in password security best practices—including updates and extended character limits—enforcing these policies is not always feasible for IT teams. Additionally, human tendencies often lead users to prioritize convenience over stringent security measures. In the context of a VPN, if your credentials are compromised due to a weak password, malicious actors can swiftly gain access to your entire network, posing a significant threat to your organization’s security.
4. External and Internal Risks: When it comes to the current cybersecurity landscape, it is natural to focus on external threats as the primary concern for companies. However, with VPN technology, the scope of concern extends beyond external dangers to encompass internal risks, as well. It has become increasingly common for malicious actors to surreptitiously breach network perimeters, lie in wait for extended periods and subsequently launch attacks from within.
In light of these glaring vulnerabilities inherent in VPNs, organizations need to explore alternative approaches to network security. SDP is a zero-trust technology that offers the most effective means of safeguarding data against ever-escalating cyberthreats. SDP solutions not only mitigate the expenses and security weaknesses associated with physical VPN appliances but also enhance functionality in various ways, including:
- Application-Level Access: In contrast to VPN, SDP solutions adopt a more meticulous approach to access control, ensuring that it is carefully authorized. They achieve this by granting users access exclusively to specific applications. Unlike VPN, which tends to provide broader permissions, granting a substantial “slice” of the network, the ability to enforce application-level access stands as a significant advantage of SDP. This approach effectively eliminates lateral attack vectors while containing potential breach damage solely to authorized applications. By implementing SDP, organizations can strengthen their security posture and mitigate the risks associated with indiscriminate network access.
- Tailored for Cloud Environments: In the contemporary landscape, multi-cloud and hybrid cloud deployments have become the standard, necessitating a solution specifically engineered for heterogeneous environments. SDP technology is purposefully designed to seamlessly integrate with diverse cloud infrastructures, making it well-suited for the cloud-centric era. As a result, organizations can confidently establish secure connections across disparate infrastructure components, harnessing the power of SDP to navigate the intricacies of cloud-based ecosystems with utmost safety and reliability.
- Zero-Trust Assurance: In the realm of SDP, the guiding principle is to maintain a stance of zero-trust, placing trust in neither entities nor elements, while diligently verifying and authorizing every aspect and individual. This rigorous and highly secure approach is the key differentiator that sets SDP apart from VPN. By adopting a zero-trust model, SDP guarantees continuous verification and authorization of all users, regardless of whether they are internal or external to the network. At every touchpoint within the network, strict scrutiny ensures that access is granted only to authorized individuals, fortifying security measures and thwarting potential breaches. The zero-trust assurance embedded in SDP empowers organizations to establish a robust security foundation and overcome the limitations inherent in traditional VPN solutions.
Embracing SDP: Safeguarding Your Network Perimeter in the Face of Evolving Threats
The limitations of VPNs have been laid bare, while the advantages of SDP technology are becoming obvioius. It is evident that the time has come to embrace this transformational shift if you haven’t already done so. As cybercriminals continue to exploit and breach VPNs with alarming success, it has become imperative for companies to adopt a more intelligent and robust approach to fortifying their network perimeters. With VPN technology dating back over a quarter of a century, the urgency to upgrade to SDP technology has never been more compelling. By making this strategic transition, your organization can proactively protect its critical data in the dynamic and cloud-centric landscape that defines our modern world. SDP offers the cutting-edge capabilities and advanced security measures needed to secure your network infrastructure effectively and stay ahead of the relentless onslaught of emerging threats. Make the choice that safeguards your organization’s future – make the shift to SDP and embrace a secure tomorrow.
