August 14, 2023
Zero-trust network vs VPN: Which is better for business?
South Africa, like the rest of the world, is facing an ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. Cybercrime is estimated to cost the country more than R78 billion in 2023, so it’s imperative that businesses adopt advanced cyber security and network protection technologies. These include zero-trust networks or virtual private networks (VPNs).
Both of these technologies take distinct approaches to secure networking and connectivity, so the best solution really depends on your industry and business requirements. Zero-trust networks and VPNs have their advantages and disadvantages, which will be outlined below, allowing you to determine which technology is best suited to your company.
What is a zero-trust network?
A zero-trust network is a relatively new security approach that challenges the traditional perimeter-based security model. In a zero-trust network, the guiding principle is to "never trust, always verify."
This means that every user and device attempting to access network resources is treated as untrusted, regardless of their location or credentials. These networks rely on robust authentication, access control and continuous monitoring to ensure secure connectivity. Only once employees and their authorised devices are identified and verified can they access the company network.
What is a VPN?
VPNs have been around for a while and are widely used by businesses to provide secure remote access to their networks. A VPN creates a secure encrypted tunnel between a user's device and the corporate network, allowing remote employees to access resources as if they were on-site.
By encrypting the data transmitted over public networks, VPNs protect sensitive information from interception and provide a secure connection for employees working from home or in other locations. Essentially, they are private networks established between the company’s servers or cloud environment and the remote device.
Pros and cons of zero-trust networks
Zero-trust networks offer enhanced security by continuously verifying user identities and device health. This minimises the risk of unauthorised access and lateral movement within the network.
They also offer granular access control by allowing administrators to enforce fine-grained access policies – granting users access only to the resources necessary for their roles, reducing the attack surface.
Lastly, zero-trust networks provide greater agility and flexibility. They adapt to dynamic environments and changing business needs, accommodating remote work, cloud services and scalable infrastructure.
Zero-trust networks have a few cons, starting with complexity. Implementing a zero-trust network can be complex, requiring robust authentication mechanisms, access control policies and ongoing monitoring and management.
They also come with a couple of deployment challenges, namely the migration from traditional network architectures to zero-trust networks may require significant infrastructure changes and careful planning to ensure a seamless transition.
Pros and cons of VPNs
VPNs provide secure remote access for employees to access corporate resources, encrypting data over untrusted networks and reducing the risk of interception. They are a cost-effective solution as VPNs leverage existing internet infrastructure.
A VPN is also a well-established technology that has been widely adopted and is compatible with various devices and operating systems, making implementation relatively straightforward. Many people already have experience with using VPNs and the technology is quite easy to set up.
However, VPNs have limited network visibility. They provide access to the entire corporate network, potentially exposing sensitive resources to compromised devices or unauthorised users if credentials are compromised.
They also come with a slight performance impact as the encryption and routing overhead of VPNs can affect network performance, particularly for bandwidth-intensive applications or large file transfers.
Choosing the right technology for your businesses
The choice between zero-trust networks and VPNs depends on several factors, including the industry and specific business requirements. Here are some examples:
Financial sector - Financial institutions dealing with highly regulated and confidential data may benefit from both technologies. VPNs can provide secure remote access for employees, while zero-trust networks can be implemented internally to prevent unauthorised access to critical financial systems.
Healthcare industry - Given the sensitive nature of patient data, healthcare organisations often require the granular access control and continuous monitoring capabilities offered by zero-trust networks to protect against insider threats and unauthorised access.
Technology startups - Startups often prioritise agility, scalability and cost-effectiveness. VPNs can be a suitable solution in the early stages when employees need remote access, while zero-trust networks can be introduced as the business grows and requires advanced security measures.
SEACOM's networking services
As a trusted ICT service provider in South Africa, SEACOM offers a wide range of networking solutions tailored to meet the unique requirements of businesses. With a focus on security and reliability, SEACOM provides next-generation connectivity solutions, including dedicated fibre connections, cloud networking and cyber security services.
SEACOM's expert team collaborates with businesses to design, implement and manage secure networking solutions, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of critical business data. Combining advanced security measures with high-performance connectivity, SEACOM equips enterprises in South Africa with the tools needed to navigate the evolving cyber security landscape.
While zero-trust networks and VPNs offer distinct approaches to secure connectivity, the choice between them depends on the specific needs and risks faced by businesses. Our expert consultants can empower businesses in South Africa to choose the most suitable technology and ensure their networks remain secure and resilient in the face of growing cyber threats. For more information about these services or to get a quote, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.
SEACOM owns Africa’s most extensive network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including subsea cables and secure internet connections. We offer a diverse range of flexible, scalable and high-quality solutions for businesses that meet world-class standards for connectivity.
SEACOM is privately owned and operated, making it agile and adaptable to the needs of the customer. This makes us the preferred ICT and internet connectivity partner for African businesses and peripheral service providers. We can guarantee high-speed, low-latency and secure internet connections to corporates and small enterprises.
For more information on our internet and voice solutions, follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. Keep an eye on our news section for insightful articles and relevant news stories on African ICT, internet connectivity and our leading cloud and security solutions.