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In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdowns it spurred, the infrastructure of the modern workplace was fluid and malleable in a way it hadn’t been in centuries. While long-established norms and protocols had been in place for decades within each respective industry, this extended period away from the day-in, day-out routine of such positions and workflows gave employees and employers an unprecedented opportunity to reconsider how things are done. One of the most significant changes during this period was the re-evaluation of remote or at-home work.

While there had previously been a corporate-backed stigmatization of remote work as unfeasible or indicative of laziness, the pandemic-fueled lockdowns forced many businesses to either embrace remote work or shutter altogether. As a result, even once workers could return to the office, many realized that remote work was still a viable option that allowed for increased productivity outside of the office. However, one of the primary concerns concerning remote work was how to ensure safety and security when it came to confidential files. Fortunately, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) now provides an innovative solution to these concerns.

ZTNA is revolutionizing cybersecurity by providing a more secure, flexible, and scalable alternative to traditional VPNs. As organizations embrace hybrid work environments and cloud-based operations, ZTNA ensures that users and devices only access the resources they need, reducing the risk of cyber threats and data breaches.

What is ZTNA?

ZTNA operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” ensuring strict access control to corporate resources. Unlike traditional security models that rely on perimeter defenses, ZTNA enforces authentication and authorization at every access request. Thus, anyone attempting to access files they should not have access to would be unable to ascertain access through any single portal. Instead, the system is constantly requiring security clarification.

In simpler terms, other security systems (such as VPNs) are akin to having the front door of your home locked to prevent intruders from entering, but ZTNA is akin to having multiple locks on multiple doors to each new room of the house.

Why Traditional VPNs Fall Short

VPNs grant broad access once a user is authenticated, increasing the attack surface. Once a maliciously intended user gets through a VPN’s single layer of security, they are in and will have full access to the systems. To this end, insider threats and credential-based attacks remain a primary concern with VPNs.

Elsewhere, performance bottlenecks and scalability issues make VPNs less ideal for today’s remote workforce. VPNs, which can be traced back to the 1960s, rose in popularity alongside the widespread implementation of the Internet in the 1990s. They have long been trusted to keep internet users safe. Still, the technology’s foundations are not necessarily the best equipped to deal with the complexities and interfaces of the modern digital world. Conversely, ZTNA is a modern solution to a modern problem.

Benefits of ZTNA for Modern Businesses

• Enhanced Security: It implements granular access controls based on user identity and device posture.
• Improved User Experience: It delivers fast, seamless access without the latency issues of VPNs.
• Scalability: It easily accommodates remote workers, third-party vendors, and cloud applications without complex configurations.

ZTNA and the Future of Cybersecurity

As cyber threats become more sophisticated, businesses must adopt a zero-trust approach to minimize risk. It is a digitized arms race, in which one side’s technological progress and innovation inherently spurs on the other’s efforts. Companies that fail to update their cybersecurity strategies risk exposing sensitive data, damaging their reputations, and facing repercussions. Businesses that wish to stand a chance against this competent new generation of hackers and ne’er-do-wells must implement the highest grade of cybersecurity available.

Zero Trust Network Access integrates with Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions, providing a holistic approach to network security. By embracing ZTNA, businesses can fortify their defenses and empower a flexible, high-performance workforce that can operate securely from anywhere in the world. The future of cybersecurity belongs to businesses that prioritize innovation, and ZTNA is the key to staying ahead in this rapidly changing threat landscape.