For many years, virtual private networks have been the standard way for employees to connect to company systems from outside the office.
They created a secure connection between the user and the business network, making it possible to access internal applications and files remotely.
That model worked well when most company systems were located inside one office network and remote work was less common.
Today, businesses work differently.
Employees connect from homes, branches, client sites and while travelling. Applications may be hosted across Microsoft 365, AWS, private data centres and other cloud platforms. Teams may also use different devices and work across multiple locations.
Traditional VPN access can still have a role, but it may no longer provide the level of control and flexibility many modern businesses need.
Zero Trust Network Access, or ZTNA, offers a more focused approach by connecting approved users to specific applications instead of giving them broader access to the company network.
Why traditional VPN access can create unnecessary exposure
A VPN usually connects the user device to the wider business network.
Once connected, the user may be able to reach more systems than their role requires, depending on how the environment has been configured.
For example, an employee may only need access to one finance platform or internal application. A traditional VPN may still place that user inside the broader network before additional access controls are applied.
This can become a greater concern when login details are compromised.
An attacker who gains access to a valid account may be able to use the same VPN connection as the legitimate employee. Once connected, the attacker may try to discover other systems or move through the environment.
ZTNA reduces this exposure by limiting the user to the specific application or resource they are authorised to access.
The network perimeter has changed
The traditional security perimeter was easier to define when employees, servers and applications were all located inside the same office.
That is no longer the reality for many businesses.
A user may work from home while accessing a cloud application. Another employee may connect from a branch or client site. A contractor may need temporary access to one internal system.
The business environment is now spread across users, devices, cloud platforms and locations.
This means access decisions should not rely only on whether someone has connected to the company network.
A modern access strategy should also consider who the user is, which device they are using, where the request is coming from and which application they need.
How ZTNA changes remote access
ZTNA changes the way users connect to business resources.
Instead of connecting the user to the wider environment, ZTNA can connect them directly to an approved application.
The access decision may consider factors such as:
- user identity
- role and permissions
- device security
- location
- application sensitivity
- sign-in risk
- company access policies
The request can then be allowed, blocked or challenged with additional verification.
A finance employee may receive access to the finance application without receiving a general route into the network. A contractor may receive access to one approved system for a limited period. An unmanaged device may be blocked from sensitive applications.
This creates a more controlled access model.
Supporting hybrid work more securely
Hybrid work has made access more complex.
Employees may move between the office, home, client locations and mobile networks. They may also use cloud applications that are already hosted outside the company network.
A traditional VPN may route traffic back through company infrastructure before the user connects to the cloud service they need. This can add complexity and may affect performance.
ZTNA can create a more direct route to the approved application while still applying security policies.
This supports flexible working without automatically opening access to the wider environment.
Better control for contractors and suppliers
Third parties often need temporary access to business systems.
Giving a contractor network-level access can be difficult to manage. The organisation may need to configure VPN access, network permissions and additional restrictions.
ZTNA can provide access to one specific application instead.
The user can be limited according to identity, device, time period and company policy. When the project ends, the access can be removed without changing broader network permissions.
This can make third-party access easier to manage and reduce unnecessary exposure.
Greater visibility into access
A modern remote-access strategy should help the business understand more than whether a connection was successful.
It should provide visibility into:
- who requested access
- which device was used
- which application was requested
- whether the device met company policy
- whether additional verification was required
- whether the request appeared unusual
This information can help IT teams review access, investigate suspicious activity and improve security policies over time.
Does ZTNA replace every VPN?
Not always.
Some legacy systems, specialist applications and network administration tasks may still require traditional network connectivity.
The move to ZTNA does not need to happen all at once.
A practical approach is to identify where the current VPN creates the most risk, complexity or user frustration.
The business could begin by introducing ZTNA for:
- remote employees accessing cloud applications
- third-party access
- high-risk applications
- users who only need access to one or two systems
The organisation can then reduce its reliance on the traditional VPN as more applications move to the newer access model.
Questions to ask about your current remote access
Businesses should review remote access regularly rather than assuming that an older setup still meets current needs.
Does every VPN user need access to the wider network?
Some users may only require access to one or two applications.
Are devices checked before access is granted?
A correct password should not be the only factor used to approve access.
Can access change when risk increases?
An unusual sign-in from an unmanaged device should not be treated the same as a normal request from a trusted device.
Can third-party access be limited easily?
Contractors and suppliers should only receive access to the systems required for their work.
Do you know which applications users are accessing?
The business should have visibility beyond whether the VPN connection was successful.
Is the current setup creating support or performance problems?
Repeated connection issues and slow access may indicate that the current model needs to be reviewed.
Moving towards a more controlled strategy
ZTNA is not simply a replacement product for a VPN.
It forms part of a broader Zero Trust approach where access is evaluated and limited according to business need.
A successful transition requires an understanding of:
- users and roles
- devices
- applications
- sensitive information
- identity management
- multi-factor authentication
- access policies
The organisation should also decide what should happen when conditions change.
For example, should a user complete additional verification when signing in from a new location? Should an unmanaged device be blocked from a sensitive application? Should contractor access expire automatically?
These decisions help turn the technology into a practical security strategy.
Start with the business requirement
The right access solution should support the way the organisation works.
Start by identifying:
- who needs remote access
- which applications they require
- which devices they use
- where the applications are hosted
- how sensitive the information is
- what should happen when a request appears risky
This creates a clearer basis for deciding whether the current VPN remains suitable, whether ZTNA should be introduced or whether a phased approach would work best.
A more controlled way to connect
Traditional VPNs helped businesses extend the office network to remote employees.
Modern businesses often need a more controlled approach.
They need access that follows the user, protects the application and responds to changing risk.
ZTNA can support this by connecting approved users to approved applications under defined conditions.
The question is not whether every VPN should be removed immediately.
The better question is whether your current remote-access model gives users more access than they need and whether a more controlled approach could reduce risk while improving the user experience.
Northbound Networks can help you review your current remote-access environment and identify a practical path towards ZTNA.
Review your remote-access strategy with Northbound Networks:
https://www.northbound.co.za/contact/