Best VPN Alternatives for Business & Secure Remote Access

Virtual private networks (VPNs) have been the most popular corporate remote access solution for decades. But as businesses switch to a hybrid work model and upgrade to cloud infrastructures, a basic VPN connection is no longer sufficient. VPNs’ security and management methods need to change.

This article investigates the best VPN alternatives for securing your business network and managing individual user access.

Why Use VPN Alternatives for Business?

Enterprises have long used VPNs to access company devices and mitigate cyber risks. However, this mainstream technology has important shortcomings that may undermine your business network’s security.

Company resources were confined to a single on-premises data center in the past. Nowadays, enterprises are switching to cloud infrastructure, relying on a mix of in-house employees and third-party service providers. As a result, company resources are now accessed from many devices that may not be under the company’s control.

A VPN gateway is visible to anyone running scanning applications, including cybercriminals. A single unpatched VPN connection can expose the entire network. A hacker who gets their hands on an employee’s credentials can access the network as a trusted user. Then, they can escalate privileges or make system-level changes.

Criminals can hijack a user’s credentials through man-in-the-middle attacks, phishing, or malware. A VPN protects from the former but doesn’t prevent social engineering attacks or malware infections. This problem calls for the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA).

MFA requires users to provide several verification factors to access an application or system. It’s an essential component of identity and access management, decreasing the risk of a cyber attack. Unfortunately, most business VPN solutions don’t enforce MFA.

Moreover, a VPN degrades network performance, slowing down connections. Bottlenecks can occur when too many users access the network at the same time.

Lastly, an enterprise VPN architecture is fragmented. Each third-party service provider and cloud platform has its own VPN network. Managing secure access across several systems is complex and increases the risk of misconfiguration, which could lead to exploits.

Alternatives to VPNs — Solutions for Remote Access

If you’re looking for a VPN alternative to enhance your corporate network security, consider these options.

Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

The zero-trust model is a VPN alternative that grants virtual access to an enterprise’s infrastructure based on clearly defined control policies. Unlike a VPN, ZTNA only gives access to specific applications and services rather than the entire network.

First, a user is authenticated with the ZTNA service. Then, the ZTNA service gives users access to a particular application via an encrypted tunnel. The user cannot access applications they don’t have permission for.

Suppose the user’s credentials are compromised. In the case of a VPN, hackers would get access to the company’s resources. With ZTNA, they can only access resources available to the specific user. A local data breach like this is easier to mitigate.

With ZTNA, companies can choose methods to verify users. A VPN uses an IP-based verification policy, but ZTNA can implement device-specific policies or MFA. Furthermore, control policy can differ for each employee. This way, enterprises can ensure remote employees only use company-approved devices to log in to the network.

ZTNA 2.0 is a more sophisticated solution that continuously assesses trust based on user behavior and device posture (security-related device data). The system detects any suspicious activity and revokes access in real time. Plus, ZTNA 2.0 performs an ongoing inspection of all traffic, even for verified connections.

But ZTNA has downsides. Integrating a ZTNA solution into existing infrastructure can be complex and time-consuming. ZTNA solutions are resource-intensive, as they need extra infrastructure and processing power to enforce policies and monitor access.

ZTNA can also be challenging to monitor and manage. This architecture may not provide the same level of network visibility as traditional security solutions.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

Secure access service edge, or SASE, is a framework combining software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) and zero-trust network access (ZTNA) into a cloud-defined platform.

In simple terms, SASE combines many security technologies, such as a VPN, a firewall, and anti-malware software, into a single service. It may also include access management, identity control, and application awareness features.

Like a VPN, SASE establishes a secure connection between devices or networks via an encrypted tunnel. However, like ZTNA, it also includes user and device authentication and enforces access policies.

SASE is a cloud-based technology, so it’s easier to scale and manage than outdated on-premises remote access solutions. Companies can add or remove users, devices, and apps without extra hassle. SASE architecture also doesn’t need physical hardware and maintenance.

One of the primary benefits of SASE is the ability to apply specific policies to each application. For example, it can block access to social media or restrict file sharing on public networks.

Note that SASE solutions typically charge based on data usage so that costs may be unpredictable. Implementing such a system may also be costly.

Another drawback of SASE is its limited support for legacy applications due to its cloud architecture. Therefore, it’s not the best solution for companies relying on on-premises infrastructure.

Troubleshooting issues or making changes to the network may also be challenging. Plus, SASE relies on internet connectivity, which can introduce latency and other performance issues.

Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP)

Software-defined perimeter, or SDP, is a security architecture that provides remote access to corporate resources by establishing an invisible network perimeter around them. This model provides access to specific applications and resources on a per-user and per-session basis rather than giving access to the whole network.

SDP uses a combination of encryption, authentication, and authorization technologies. Like a VPN, it establishes a secure tunnel between the user and the application. So, even if the traffic is intercepted, it cannot be read.

SDP also verifies the identity of the user and device before granting access to the application. This can include multi-factor authentication, device health checks, and other security measures to ensure that only authorized users and devices are granted access. This way, even if a user’s credentials are compromised, the attacker cannot access other resources on the corporate network.

In this regard, SDP is much like ZTNA or SASE. Another similarity to ZTNA is that SDP provides dynamic access to applications and resources. It can revoke access to resources anytime if it detects security threats.

Unfortunately, an SDP system is complex and requires significant resources to deploy. Some enterprises may find incorporating SDP into existing infrastructure challenging, especially if it involves outdated legacy applications.

Furthermore, SDP requires network access, so it may not be ideal for employees working from far locations. SDP is better suited for small- and medium-sized corporations, as its scalability is limited.

Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN)

A software-defined wide area network allows an organization to manage its wide area network (WAN) using software rather than hardware.

SD-WAN routes traffic over several network connections, such as broadband, LTE, and MPLS, based on real-time network conditions. This way, organizations can optimize network performance and reduce the costs of using dedicated MPLS connections.

Intelligent traffic routing is a key feature of SD-WAN. The framework can prioritize critical applications and avoid network congestion without human intervention. This feature also improves network reliability by rerouting traffic during an outage or failure.

Because SD-WAN uses a centralized management interface, companies can configure their entire WAN from a single location. SD-WAN is a cost-effective, flexible, and scalable WAN management solution.

But no solution is perfect. Implementing SD-WAN architecture can be complex, and managing it requires specialized skills. Companies might have to invest in staff training or hire external resources. Although SD-WAN provides cost benefits in the long run, it requires significant upfront investments.

Compatibility issues are another drawback of SD-WAN. Some legacy applications might need to be updated or replaced. SD-WAN may require specific hardware or software, resulting in vendor lock-in. This can limit flexibility and make it difficult to switch to a different SD-WAN solution in the future.

Lastly, unlike ZTNA or SASE, SD-WAN doesn’t have encryption by default. Each SD-WAN solution has different security features so that the system may introduce new threats.

To mitigate cyber security risks, an SD-WAN solution should have access control, an authentication mechanism, encryption, traffic segmentation, and intrusion detection.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)

Virtual desktop infrastructure, or VDI, allows users to access a virtual desktop environment from any device, anywhere, provided they have an internet connection.

A virtual desktop environment can be hosted on a physical server in a data center or the cloud. It provides users with a complete and customizable desktop experience, including an operating system, applications, and data.

Put differently, you can access work resources remotely from any device. Otherwise, you’d have to install the necessary software and download files on every computer you use. So, VDI is perfect for companies with a hybrid work model or employees who travel frequently.

VDI helps organizations implement flexible work policies and manage the virtual desktop environment from a single access point. It also provides savings on hardware, software, and maintenance and ensures easy scalability.

VDI may include built-in security solutions such as encryption or an authentication mechanism. However, extra measures may be necessary for organizations dealing with highly sensitive data.

It relies heavily on network connectivity, which can be a drawback in poor or unreliable coverage areas. Latency issues can also affect VDI’s performance, leading to slow response times and reduced productivity.

Plus, VDI is resource-intensive and might require upgrading your company’s hardware. Some applications may not be compatible with VDI, requiring customization or additional software to run properly.

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

Remote desktop protocol, or RDP, is similar to VDI in that it allows users to access a remote desktop or server from a local computer or device.

With VDI, each user connects to their virtual desktop, which can be customized to their specific needs. However, with RDP, employees connect to a single remote desktop session shared by multiple users and have a standardized desktop environment. RDP sessions share server resources such as memory, storage, and processing power.

RDP allows IT administrators to manage and maintain company devices centrally, reducing the need for physical access and streamlining project collaboration.

RDP was developed by Microsoft and is included in many versions of Windows. Unfortunately, this means RDP is incompatible with Linux or macOS and unsuitable for companies with diverse IT infrastructure.

RDP can pose security risks if not properly configured, granting unauthorized access to company resources. Still, companies can establish a secure connection via RDP with MFA, strong password policies, and network segmentation.

Which Solution Is Best for Your Business?

ZTNA, SASE, SDP, SD-WAN, VDI, and RDP have many similarities but also important distinctions. I’ll break down the best use cases for each solution, but first, let’s discuss the factors that affect which solution is the best for your business.

Factors to Consider

Here are factors that determine which solution best fits your situation:

• Size of your business: this will determine the number of users who need remote access, the amount of data being processed, and the level of IT resources available to manage the solution.
• Type of your business: different businesses have different security and compliance requirements. For example, healthcare businesses must follow HIPAA regulations, while financial businesses must follow PCI-DSS standards.
• Security needs: the level of security required will depend on the type of data being accessed remotely. For example, businesses dealing with sensitive financial data or personal health information will require higher security.
• Existing network infrastructure: the remote access solution should be compatible with the existing network infrastructure, including hardware and software. The network should also have sufficient bandwidth and reliability to support remote access. An upgrade or complete replacement of existing infrastructure may sometimes be required.
• Device types: the solution should support various device types, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, and be compatible with different operating systems.
• Mobility needs: The solution should accommodate your remote employee needs. For example, some employees might only access company resources from their home computers, whereas others constantly change their location. Plus, the solution should support different network connections, such as public Wi-Fi networks and mobile data networks.
• Available IT resources: the solution should be easy to deploy, manage, and maintain with the IT resources available to your business. Certain solutions, like SASE, may be too costly and complex to manage for small businesses.

When to Use Each VPN Alternative

Based on those  factors, here are the best use cases for each solution we’ve discussed:

• ZTNA is best suited for businesses that require a high level of security, particularly those dealing with sensitive data or regulatory compliance requirements. An example is a financial institution with multiple branch locations.
• SASE is best suited for businesses that need a scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solution. An example is a software development company with a distributed workforce and cloud-based infrastructure. Remember that costs may be unpredictable if your business has undefined data usage.
• SDP is best suited for businesses that need granular control over employee access to applications and resources. A healthcare organization that must comply with HIPAA regulations is an example.
• SD-WAN is best suited for businesses that interconnect multiple branch locations and require reliable and efficient network performance. A manufacturing plant that relies on real-time data to monitor production lines is an example.
• VDI is for businesses with flexible work models that need centralized employee access management. An example is a call center that allows employees to work from home.
• RDP best suits organizations with Windows devices and basic remote employee access needs. For example, it can work together on documents, presentations, and other files in real time from different locations.

Could a VPN Actually Be Best?

Although a VPN has limitations compared to more sophisticated solutions like SASE and SD-WAN, it may be the best bet for some organizations.

A VPN is the cheapest, simplest option for small organizations that don’t require the highest level of organization-wide security. It uses less bandwidth than solutions like VDI or SD-WAN and is compatible with most legacy applications.

If your company fits this description, consider our top VPN picks:

1. ExpressVPN: This app earns five stars, with lighting-fast speeds, an independently audited zero-logs policy, and over 94 server locations. Plus, it’s compatible with all major operating systems and device types. It allows 8 simultaneous connections. You can try it out risk-free with a 30-day refund guarantee.
2. Private Internet Access: This provider offers bulk discounts on business subscriptions. It also has built-in malware protection and supports AES-128 encryption for older devices. If you find a better solution, you can claim a refund within 30 days.
3. CyberGhost: CyberGhost lets you connect seven devices simultaneously to specialized high-security servers. It’s a cost-effective app with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Conclusion

Remote work isn’t all sunshine and rainbows for businesses or employees. It creates security vulnerabilities in critical systems, demanding new ways to authorize and manage remote users.

VPN alternatives for businesses streamline user authentication, user activity monitoring, and privileged access management. Consider one of the enterprise VPN alternatives we proposed to keep your internal network safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Topic: Best VPNs