Cybersecurity is a big concern for small businesses. In 2023 alone, over 40% of small businesses reported experiencing cyberattacks, according to cybersecurity ventures. Given the prevalence of remote work and increased digital risks, choosing the proper security solution has never been more critical. Two standard options for protecting small business data are VPNs and ZTNA. But which one is better for your business?
This blog will compare ZTNA vs VPN, explain how they work, and explore their benefits and drawbacks. Whether you’re a small business owner or an IT manager, this guide will help you decide the right fit for your company’s needs.
Understanding VPNs
The idea of a VPN is to keep your internet activity secure. A VPN is a shield that provides a secure and safe connection or “tunnel” between your device and the internet. Such a tunnel will keep all data you send or receive safe from any kind of hacker or cyber threat. By encrypting your data, a VPN makes it unreadable to anyone trying to intercept it. For this reason, several businesses use VPNs to protect sensitive information.
Understanding ZTNA
ZTNA is a modern cybersecurity approach, fit for the challenges of today’s digital world. Unlike all previous methods, ZTNA works on a strict “never trust, always verify” principle. This means it does not, by default, trust a user or device even if the user or device is already connected to the network. Instead, it verifies every request to find out whether it is legitimate or not and safe or malicious.
ZTNA is a game-changer for businesses because it reduces the risks of unauthorized access and data breaches. With this system, users are only given access to the specific resources they need to do their job, not the entire network.
ZTNA vs VPN
Now that we understand how VPNs and ZTNA work, the vpn vs zero trust debate is certainly worth exploring to determine which suits your business needs best. Each is built to improve security differently, according to different business needs. Let’s go ahead and do the breakdown of the major differences that exist between these technologies:
Security
VPNs secure the internet connection by creating a protected tunnel between the user and the network. However, they assume anyone connecting to the network can be trusted. If a user’s account is compromised, the attacker could access everything on the network.
The basis of ZTNA is a very simple philosophy: never trust, always verify. It assumes no user or device is safe inside the network or otherwise. Every access request will be verified against strict criteria pertaining to identity, role, and device security. Thus, ZTNA is more secure in protecting sensitive data and systems.
Access
Once connected to a VPN, users gain access to the entire network. For example, if a marketing employee connects to the company VPN, they could technically access financial files or HR records unless additional restrictions are in place.
ZTNA relies on the principle of granting the user access only to certain resources, which again need to be accessed based on some role or identity. Based on that, a marketing employee would be able to touch only the marketing tools and data, while the finance personnel might get financial records. And that is how a limited-access approach reduces the level of damage if there happens to be a breach.
Cloud Compatibility
VPNs work well while connecting to on-premise servers or systems hosted within the physical office. However, in the case of cloud-based applications, like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, they are pretty inefficient. This is because VPNs route all your traffic through their servers, which adds latency.
ZTNA is cloud-first for the modern workplace. It plays well with cloud applications; therefore, it’s an excellent solution for businesses using cloud-hosted tools. Compatibility is guaranteed for remote teams to securely and efficiently access cloud resources.
Cost and Maintenance
For many, VPNs have generally proven to be a whole lot cheaper to install compared to other options, software VPNs being the primary cause due to not requiring hardware to exist physically. Businesses still need to budget for such fees as network access and maintenance fee and modernization of any outmoded system.
ZTNA solutions generally have higher upfront costs due to their advanced technology and implementation requirements. However, they can save money in the long run by reducing the risk of security breaches and lowering operational costs associated with managing outdated systems.
Deployment
VPNs are easy to deploy, even for small businesses with limited IT staff. A basic software VPN can be set up quickly and is straightforward to manage. This simplicity is one reason why many small businesses opt for VPNs.
Deploying ZTNA requires more planning and expertise. It involves defining user roles, configuring access controls, and integrating with existing systems. While the setup process may take longer, ZTNA provides better scalability and security, making it a more future-proof option for growing businesses.
Which is Better for Your Business?
This decision needs to be based on your business, budget, and IT environment. A VPN is great for smaller companies looking to have a quick fix on a budget. ZTNA does better in security, control, and in terms of seamless cloud integration, placing ZTNA at the top desirable position of businesses with increased security and scalability requirements.
Both technologies have their pros and cons, and knowing the differences will definitely help you make an informed decision to lead you to your business goals.
Pros and Cons of VPNs for Small Businesses
VPNs are popular among small businesses because they are simple, cost-effective, and relatively easy to implement. However, like any technology, they come with both advantages and disadvantages.
VPN Pros
- Affordable and Easy to Set Up: Most of the VPNs, especially software VPNs, are very affordable and take less time to implement. Small companies with limited IT resources like this option.
- Support for Remote Work: VPNs allow employees to securely connect from any location to the corporate network. This is important to companies operating a team outside of the office or whose workers work from home.
- On-Premise Systems Compatibility: VPNs work seamlessly with on-premise systems, like file servers and office networks.
- Basic Security Features: VPNs encrypt data, thus protecting against hackers and unauthorized access.
VPN Cons
- All-or-Nothing Access: A user gets almost everything when connected to the VPN. This increases the risks in case an account gets compromised.
- Performance Issues: One of the downsides to VPNs is that they can reduce internet speed, especially when many users are connected at the same time.
- Limited Cloud Support: The VPNs are not optimized for cloud applications, leading to bottlenecks with regard to access to Google Workspace or Microsoft 365.
- Ongoing Costs: Hardware VPNs may have businesses incurring higher network access and maintenance fees, which in turn, are less cost-effective.
Pros and Cons of ZTNA for Small Businesses
ZTNA is an abbreviation for Zero Trust Network Access, and it was devised to cater to security needs in businesses today. It has been designed with various advanced features beyond conventional VPNs. At the same time, this is not without its share of challenges.
ZTNA Pros
- Enhanced Security: ZTNA is based on the “zero trust” model, which verifies every user and device for authenticity before access is granted. This dramatically reduces the risk of cyberattacks.
- Granular Access Control: This can be achieved with ZTNA by limiting the users’ access to particular resources and not the whole network, thereby reducing the damage in case an account gets compromised.
- Perfect for Cloud Applications: ZTNA smoothly integrates into SaaS tools and can connect to cloud-based applications within a small business.
- Scalability: ZTNA is flexible and easily scalable as your business grows. It is ideal for businesses looking forward to expanding their remote workforces.
- Zero Trust Remote Access: ZTNA securely allows employees to access all kinds of company resources from any location without exposure to sensitive data.
ZTNA Cons
- Higher Initial Costs: Setting up a ZTNA solution can be more expensive upfront than VPNs. Small businesses with limited budgets may find this a barrier.
- Complex Implementation: ZTNA requires careful planning and integration. Businesses may need to rely on ZTNA vendors like Netskope, which specializes in zero-trust network access solutions.
- Learning Curve: Teams may need time to adjust to the zero trust model, especially if they’re used to traditional VPNs.
How to Choose Between a VPN vs ZTNA for Small Businesses
The decision between VPN vs ZTNA depends on your business needs, budget, and IT environment. Let’s break down when to choose each option:
When to Choose a VPN
Budget Constraints
VPNs are more affordable to implement and maintain if your business has a limited budget.
Simple IT Setup
Businesses with on-premise servers and straightforward networks will benefit from the simplicity of VPNs.
Small Teams
If your business has a small number of remote workers, VPNs can meet your needs without added complexity.
Short-Term Solution
VPNs are a practical choice for businesses looking for a quick security fix.
When to Choose ZTNA
Cloud-First Businesses
Companies using cloud-based apps like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 will find ZTNA more compatible and secure.
Advanced Security Needs
If your business handles sensitive data or faces strict compliance requirements, ZTNA provides stronger protection.
Scaling Teams
For businesses planning to expand their workforce or support remote teams, ZTNA offers better scalability and flexibility.
Modern IT Infrastructure
If your business invests in a modern, cloud-focused infrastructure, ZTNA is the way to go.
How PureVPN Fits into the Small Business Security Landscape
PureVPN is one of the well-renowned and reputable cybersecurity solutions solution providers. The proposed line of solutions will precisely adhere to small business enterprise imperatives. Powering through the burgeoning demands for data protection, PureVPN has brought together a portfolio of innovative tools that leverage all the ease of old-style VPN simplicity with advanced security in one powerful package: Zero trust.
The combination that forms the product line keeps enterprises protected but not strangled. For what PureVPN offers, it has become a perfect partner for small businesses looking to keep their data secure without putting too much strain on the bottom line.
Conclusion
Small businesses face an increasing need to secure their digital operations while staying cost-effective and adaptable. The debate between ZTNA vs VPN often comes down to the specific needs of your business. Both options offer distinct benefits and challenges, but they are designed to solve different problems in the cybersecurity landscape.
No one-size-fits-all solution works in the zero trust vs VPN battle. Understand what your business needs, and you can choose the right technology to improve your security. Whether you prefer the simplicity of VPNs or the robust protection of ZTNA, one thing is for sure: both technologies are very important in the current cybersecurity landscape.