HPE 2024 VPN Risk Report
In the fast-evolving landscape of remote work, this Report highlights critical trends, challenges, and solutions shaping the state of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and their alternatives.
As businesses adapt to increased workforce mobility and dynamic changes in resource locations, the report sheds light on the pivotal role played by VPNs and the emerging need for more secure and efficient solutions.
In the past, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have been the go-to solution for remote access. However, with the surge in remote work and distributed workforce models and the rise of cloud adoption, the basic connectivity provided by VPNs is being put to the test. As cyber threats continue to evolve at a rapid pace, VPNs struggle to provide the secure, segmented access that organizations require. Instead, they often grant full access to the corporate network, increasing the risk of cyberattacks once malicious actors obtain login credentials.
As the landscape of remote access security evolves, VPNs are increasingly seen as inadequate. The focus is shifting towards adopting Zero Trust to meet changing business needs. When contemplating the technologies that could replace VPNs, many teams are gravitating toward a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) approach, which effectively eliminates the need for corporate VPNs.
HPE Aruba Networking 2024 VPN Risk Report, based on a survey of 593 IT professionals and cybersecurity experts, offers a comprehensive analysis of the current state of VPNs. It uncovers the risks and challenges businesses encounter due to VPN usage and provides insights into the future of secure remote access and its implications for businesses like yours.
Key findings from the report include:
- 92% of respondents are concerned that VPN will jeopardize their ability to keep their environment secure.
- 81% of users are dissatisfied with their VPN experience.
- 56% of respondents are looking for an alternative to the traditional VPN.
- 75% view Zero Trust as a priority for their business.
- 59% of organizations have adopted or plan to adopt ZTNA within the next 2 years.
Exploring VPN Alternatives
VPN technology has been around for 30 years, and many organizations are seeking out technologies that can give them a competitive edge in the modern world of cloud and mobility. In fact, with increasing remote work and evolving cyber threats, finding efficient and secure access solutions has become a priority for over half of respondents (56%) who are considering alternatives to traditional VPN for remote access.
This indicates a significant shift in thinking as organizations seek out alternatives to network-centric security solutions and opt for an alternative that offers better security, enhanced productivity, more flexibility, and better operational efficiency.