Zero Trust Network Access vs VPNs What’s Best for Business

Businesses today face challenges in securing their networks due to the new remote and hybrid working norms. With the sensitive data spread across cloud and on-premise systems, keeping control has become more difficult than ever.

Traditional security models have failed to meet the security needs to protect these diverse environments. Businesses started looking for security solutions that provide granular control and can protect each segment of their network, which led to the rise of ZTNA and Cloud-based VPNs.

In this article, we’ll focus on ZTNA vs VPN, breaking down both and helping you make an informed decision on choosing the right security model for your organization.

Understanding the Basics: What is Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)?

Zero Trust Network Access, or ZTNA, is a security model based on one key principle: never trust, always verify. Unlike traditional security systems that trust all users or devices in the internal network, the ZTNA network works by checking each user’s identity and permissions before granting access, often through a ZTNA agent or identity-based system.

In simpler words, ZTNA only allows users to access what they specifically need rather than opening up the entire network. Each access request is verified every time, so even if someone is already inside the network, they won’t be able to access sensitive data or applications unless they are authorized.

Why is Zero Trust Network Access the New Norm?

Businesses today face an increasing need for flexible and robust security, and ZTNA is quickly becoming the preferred approach. As workspaces expand beyond physical offices, ZTNA provides the protection needed to manage remote and multi-location teams securely.

Traditional security methods often struggle to keep up with the demands of cloud-based and remote work models, leaving gaps that can lead to data breaches. By implementing ZTNA, your business gains a future-ready solution that offers targeted protection, integrates seamlessly with cloud environments, and significantly reduces unauthorized access risks.

VPNs in Business Security: How Do They Work?

A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, creates a secure, encrypted connection between a user’s device and the business network. By encrypting data traffic, VPNs prevent unauthorized parties from viewing sensitive information.

It is ideal for businesses with remote employees who need to access company files, applications, and resources securely from any location. In most traditional setups, once a VPN connection is established, users can access various parts of the network.

While this is convenient, it also means that if one account is compromised, multiple areas of the network could be at risk. For businesses, this broad access can be a limitation, especially when greater control over user access is needed.

Why are Traditional VPNs replaced with Cloud VPNs?

While VPNs have been a go-to security solution for businesses to secure network traffic, their scalability, limited adaptability, and cloud integration issues have impacted the security needs of evolving businesses.

As companies move to the cloud, Cloud VPNs have emerged as a scalable alternative to traditional VPNs. Cloud VPNs rely on cloud infrastructure, making it easier for businesses to provide secure access across multiple locations without requiring complex hardware setups.

With Cloud VPNs, your business can benefit from a flexible, centralized solution that supports scaling, simpler management, and improved accessibility. This shift helps you to adapt to remote work demands while ensuring secure, efficient access to essential resources.

ZTNA vs VPN: Key Differences in Security and Access for Your Business

Understanding the differences between Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is essential for businesses navigating security and access needs.

ZTNA operates on a “never trust, always verify” principle, enforcing precise, identity-based access to individual resources. In contrast, VPNs create a secure tunnel to the entire network, offering a broader, often simpler solution but with less control over specific resource access.

Here is a breakdown of the key differences between Zero Trust Network Access and VPNs to help you understand which might be the best fit for your organization.

Use Cases: When to Choose ZTNA vs VPN for Business Needs

Now you have an idea of ZTNA and VPN, understanding when to use them can be essential in choosing the best approach for your network security. Here are some use cases that can help clarify when ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Architecture) or a VPN might be the best fit.

ZTNA Use Cases: Where Zero Trust Network Access Excels

1. ZTNA’s micro-segmentation divides your network into isolated zones, helping contain potential security threats to a single segment and protecting your wider network.
2. If your team is remote or spread across locations, ZTNA can give you secure, controlled access to only the applications each team member needs, verifying access every time to keep your resources protected.
3. For businesses heavily reliant on cloud services, ZTNA helps you secure access to specific cloud applications, reducing exposure to unauthorized users and ensuring your cloud resources stay safe.
4. If you rely on vendors or contractors, ZTNA lets you provide them with limited access to specific applications, minimizing third-party risks and keeping your network secure.
5. If your employees use personal devices for work, ZTNA can protect your data by verifying each device’s permissions so that only trusted devices can access sensitive information on your network.
6. During a merger or acquisition, ZTNA can simplify the process of adding new users while maintaining strict control over what they can access, easing the transition.
7. For industries with strict compliance standards, ZTNA’s audit trails and access logs make it easier for you to meet regulatory requirements like GDPR or HIPAA.

VPN Use Cases: Where Virtual Private Networks Are Practical

1. For businesses with multiple offices, VPNs offer a simple way to securely link all locations under one network, making it easy to share resources across your sites.
2. If you have a small team that needs basic remote access, a VPN can securely connect your employees to your company network, allowing them to work as though they’re in the office.
3. If your team travels often, VPNs allow them to bypass geographic restrictions and access essential online resources securely, ensuring they can work from anywhere.
4. If employees frequently work on public networks, a VPN creates an encrypted tunnel to protect your data from unauthorized access, adding security for remote work.
5. For businesses on a budget, VPNs provide essential security without requiring extensive setup, offering a reliable, cost-effective solution for remote connections.

UTunnel's Approach to ZTNA vs VPN

Whether you're looking for Zero Trust Network Access to enhance control over who accesses specific resources or a Cloud VPN to securely connect remote teams, UTunnel offers specially developed ZTNA-enabled solutions through MeshConnect and Access Gateway.

UTunnel MeshConnect: A Practical Approach to ZTNA

UTunnel MeshConnect is designed to create secure, interconnected networks across multiple sites. Built on the reliable WireGuard protocol, MeshConnect simplifies the process of linking different networks, whether it's on-premises, virtual private clouds (VPCs), or even IoT setups.

How UTunnel MeshConnect Supports Zero Trust Network Access

MeshConnect applies Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) principles, offering a more controlled and secure method of managing who can access which parts of your network. Unlike traditional VPNs that may grant broad access, MeshConnect allows you to define access policies so each user only connects to the resources essential to their role.

UTunnel’s MeshConnect key advantage is dynamic scalability, which helps your businesses to adapt seamlessly to changing network needs. Plus, with support for dynamic IP adaptability, MeshConnect remains robust, secure, and ready to scale whether you operate in a hybrid, fully remote, or on-site setup.

You also get to integrate seamlessly with your existing infrastructure, whether your operations are cloud-based on platforms like AWS or Azure or set up on-premises, ensuring a smooth transition without disrupting your tech stack.

The best part is you can use your UTunnel MeshConnect web console to manage your network settings, establish secure tunnels between sites, and configure access policies without needing specialized technical skills. The MeshConnect Agent further simplifies the setup by synchronizing connectivity across sites, making it straightforward to deploy and manage resources across a multi-site network.

Curious to use MeshConnect for your Business? Check out the detailed guide on how to configure a MeshConnect network for business.

UTunnel Access Gateway: The Easiest Way to Set Up a Cloud VPN

UTunnel Access Gateway simplifies cloud VPN deployment, making it easy for businesses to establish secure remote access. As a VPN as a Service (VPNaaS), Access Gateway allows you to set up a dedicated cloud VPN server with just a few clicks, choosing from various global locations.

Whether you need a fully automated cloud setup or prefer deploying a VPN server on your own infrastructure with the Bring Your Own Server (BYOS) option, Access Gateway adapts to your needs.

With UTunnel’s Access Gateway, you get more than just basic VPN functionality. It integrates smoothly with multiple cloud providers, allowing deployment in over 50 global locations and supporting site-to-site IPSec connections for securely linking your networks.

You also get added security features like AES-256 encryption, split routing for optimized network performance, and a dedicated static IP for streamlined application access. Access Gateway also includes flexible authentication options, such as Single Sign-On (SSO) and two-factor authentication, ensuring that only authorized users connect.

Designed with a centralized, user-friendly dashboard, UTunnel Access Gateway helps your business to scale remote access securely, protect data, and manage access in alignment with Zero Trust principles.

Want to use CloudVPN for business? Here is how to set up a UTunnel Cloud VPN gateway

How UTunnel OneClick Access Supports Agentless Zero Trust Application Access

OneClick Access helps you set up agentless Zero Trust Application Access (ZTAA) with MeshConnect and Access Gateway. This flexibility allows you to gain secure, policy-based access to specific applications without requiring a full VPN connection or downloading agents.

As a result, users can access the resources necessary for their role without the hassle of installing several applications or managing complex setups like firewalls.

Trying to configure application access policies? Here is how to do it with UTunnel OneClick.

FAQs about ZTNA vs VPN

1. What does ZTNA stand for?

ZTNA stands for Zero Trust Network Access, a security model that restricts network access based on identity and policies, ensuring only authorized users can access specific resources.

2. What is ZTNA 2.0?

ZTNA 2.0 is the next evolution of ZTNA solutions. It offers enhanced security by continuously verifying user identities and inspecting traffic to prevent threats, further improving the ZTNA architecture.

3. Can ZTNA replace VPN?

While ZTNA offers more granular control compared to traditional VPNs by securing specific resources, it doesn't fully replace VPNs in all cases. In ZTNA vs VPN, ZTNA is ideal for businesses needing precise, role-based access, but some environments may still benefit from using both solutions.

4. What are the main benefits of implementing ZTNA?

ZTNA benefits include enhanced security with identity-based access, reduced network exposure, better adaptability to cloud and hybrid environments, and improved compliance with security policies.

5. Why might a business consider combining ZTNA with VPN?

Some businesses combine ZTNA and VPN to achieve layered security. While ZTNA provides resource-specific access, VPNs can offer secure network access for broader use cases, especially for legacy applications that require a traditional VPN connection.

6. Can ZTNA be used to secure Internet of Things (IoT) devices?

Yes, ZTNA can secure IoT devices by enforcing identity and policy-based access, making sure only authenticated devices and users can interact with sensitive IoT data and systems.

7. What principle differentiates ZTNA from VPN?

ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify," ensuring that every access request is authenticated and authorized based on user identity, device health, and context. In contrast, VPNs grant access based on trust within the network perimeter, allowing broader access to resources once connected, often leading to potential security risks.

8. What is the difference between ZTNA and ZTAA?

ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) focuses on securely connecting users to specific applications or resources based on identity and trust policies.

ZTAA (Zero Trust Application Access) is a subset of ZTNA that emphasizes granular, secure access to specific applications, with tighter control over application-level permissions, minimizing exposure to unauthorized activities.