—TechRound does not recommend or endorse any financial, gambling, technical or other advice, practices or providers. All articles are purely informational—
COVID-19 forced companies worldwide to adopt work-from-home policies almost overnight. This rapid shift put immense pressure on traditional security tools like VPNs, which buckled under the strain. Now, organisations want better options for their distributed teams.
People turn to VPNs for many reasons beyond just work. Public WiFi users rely on them to shield sensitive data from prying eyes in coffee shops and airports. International travelers use VPNs to watch their favorite shows while abroad.
Many online gamblers connect through VPNs to access betting platforms blocked in their countries. For example, many people may well use VPNs to sign up at casinos from locations with tight gambling rules.
These offshore sites often offer different bonuses, restrictions and a wider variety of games for players looking for alternatives to locally regulated options. Players interested in these benefits may be able find out more about accessing these platforms from a variety of sources available online.
But VPNs fall short in several ways. They slow down internet speeds, especially with lots of users online at once. The security gaps worry experts, too. Companies learned this lesson the hard way during the Colonial Pipeline attack, when hackers broke in through a compromised VPN account. Plus, VPNs often lack strong authentication, so anyone with stolen login details gets broad network access.
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
ZTNA flips the old security model on its head. Gone is the philosophy of “trust everything inside our walls.” ZTNA trusts nothing and nobody without verification first.
Every time someone tries to access an app, ZTNA checks their identity, device health, and behavior patterns. Users only see applications they need, not the whole network. This stops attackers from moving freely even if they steal credentials.
A bank recently switched to ZTNA after multiple breach attempts through their VPN. Their IT team now sleeps better knowing each access request gets thoroughly vetted before approval.
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
SASE blends network tools with security functions in one cloud package. Think of it as security that follows users wherever they go instead of sitting at your network edge.
The beauty of SASE lies in its simplicity; one control panel manages everything. No more jumping between five different security products with separate interfaces. SASE spots threats faster because it sees the complete picture across all traffic.
A manufacturing firm cut security incidents by 60% after moving from VPN to a SASE platform. Their remote workers noticed faster connections, too, with none of the laggy VPN experience they hated.
Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP)
SDP builds invisible barriers around apps and data. Unauthorised users literally cannot see protected resources as they might as well not exist on the network.
When SDP spots sketchy login attempts, it blocks just that specific connection while everyone else works normally. This targeted approach beats the old method of shutting everything down while security teams investigate.
A university adopted SDP to protect research data. Now, visiting scholars access only the labs they work with, not the entire academic network like before.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
IAM puts the user identity front and center in security decisions. Strong verification replaces simple passwords with systems that analyse login patterns for anything unusual.
Multi-factor authentication adds another shield: something you know (password), something you have (phone), and sometimes even something you are (fingerprint). All these checks happen seamlessly behind the scenes.
A retail chain implemented IAM after password-stealing malware hit their staff. Now even if criminals steal login details, they still cannot break in without physical access to employees’ phones.
Privileged Access Management (PAM)
PAM guards your critical admin accounts by securing and tracking the credentials that wield complete control over your systems.
Password vaults store and automatically rotate complex credentials, so even the IT staff never know the actual passwords. Activity logs track every move made with admin rights, so nothing happens without leaving footprints.
A hospital uses PAM to guard patient records. Their compliance team loves the detailed audit trails that show exactly who accessed what and when they did it.
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
VDI keeps your actual work environment on secure servers, not personal devices. Users connect to virtual computers that live in protected data centers.
This setup stops data from touching potentially infected home computers. Even screenshots become difficult since the information never truly sits on the local machine. If a laptop gets stolen, the thief finds nothing of value.
A law firm moved to VDI after a partner left a tablet in an airport. Their managing director stopped panicking about data breaches from lost devices almost immediately.
Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs)
CASBs stand guard between users and cloud services like Office 365 or Salesforce. They watch traffic, enforce rules, and block suspicious behavior.
These tools scan for malware, prevent data leaks, and stop unauthorised sharing. They work with both company-owned and personal devices, which matters when your staff shifts between laptops throughout the day.
An insurance company uses CASBs to monitor how staff interact with customer data. The system automatically flags unusual download patterns that might signal an insider threat.
Moving Forward Strategically
No single tool fits every organisation perfectly. Your industry, size, and risk tolerance should shape your choices. Many companies combine approaches, perhaps ZTNA with IAM for stronger access controls.
Start small rather than ripping out your VPN overnight. Run pilot programs with specific departments, gather feedback, and adjust before full deployment. Your staff will thank you for the smooth transition.
—TechRound does not recommend or endorse any financial, gambling, technical or other advice, practices or providers. All articles are purely informational—
