As remote and hybrid work becomes the norm, businesses are rethinking how they secure access to company systems. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have long been a staple for secure connectivity, but the landscape has evolved. Today, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is emerging as a stronger, more scalable security framework. In this article, we’ll explore ZTNA vs VPN, how each works, and which one is better suited to protect modern organizations.
Why Traditional VPNs Are Losing Ground
When businesses shifted rapidly to remote work during the pandemic, VPNs provided a fast way to connect employees to company networks securely. However, these tools were built around a model where data and applications lived within a centralized network perimeter.
Today, corporate infrastructure spans cloud, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments. Data no longer resides solely in corporate data centers. This has dramatically expanded the potential attack surface, prompting a reevaluation of VPNs’ effectiveness in modern environments.
As cyber threats evolve, ZTNA is becoming the preferred method for securing remote access. It offers granular access control based on identity and context—not location.
What Is a VPN and How Does It Work?
VPN Defined: A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection—or “tunnel”—between a user’s device and the company’s network. Once connected, users can access internal resources as if they were on-site.
How VPNs Function: VPNs use secure protocols to manage data flow, including:
PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol)
L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol)
SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol)
IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange version 2)
OpenVPN
After authentication, users often gain wide access to the network, which can be a significant security concern. Admins typically have limited visibility into what users do once they’re connected.
What Is ZTNA and How Does It Work?
ZTNA introduces a “never trust, always verify” approach to network access. Unlike VPNs, ZTNA does not trust any user or device by default—even if they’ve been authenticated before.
Core Principles of ZTNA:
Continuous Verification: Identity and device health are continuously evaluated, even after access is granted.
Least Privilege Access: Access is limited based on specific roles or needs, minimizing exposure to sensitive resources.
Assume Breach: Always operate as if threats exist both inside and outside the network.
ZTNA policies assess multiple factors before allowing access: user identity, device type, compliance status, location, and time. It checks posture and behavior during each session to ensure ongoing compliance.
ZTNA vs VPN: Key Differences to Consider
| Factor | VPN | ZTNA |
|---|---|---|
| Access Scope | Broad network-level access | Fine-grained, per-application access |
| Security Model | Trust after perimeter authentication | Zero trust—continuous verification |
| Scalability | Limited by license count and hardware constraints | Scales easily with cloud-native design |
| User Experience | Requires manual connection setup | Transparent, seamless user access |
| Performance | Can slow down traffic via centralized routing | Optimized routing and distributed enforcement |
| Attack Surface | Larger, due to broad access once inside | Reduced, through isolated and hidden application access |
Use Case Comparison: ZTNA vs VPN
Remote Work:
ZTNA supports device-based access rather than location-based, making it ideal for employees working from anywhere.
Cloud-First Environments:
ZTNA integrates more smoothly with SaaS platforms and cloud infrastructure, offering direct, secure access without rerouting through VPN tunnels.
Risk Reduction:
ZTNA enforces identity-based, session-specific access, significantly lowering exposure to potential breaches.
Performance:
ZTNA can apply security at the edge and scale based on usage, while VPNs often create bottlenecks.
Licensing Flexibility:
VPNs often require static licensing. ZTNA typically supports dynamic scaling, which is more cost-effective.
Advantages of ZTNA Over VPN
Improved Security: Limits access to what’s strictly necessary and hides apps from public exposure.
Better UX: No need for users to initiate or manage secure connections—ZTNA handles it automatically.
Consistent Policies: Access is governed by centralized policies across on-prem, cloud, and hybrid environments.
Session-Based Verification: Each session is independently verified, reducing persistent risk.
Will ZTNA Replace VPN Completely?
Not entirely. While ZTNA can replace VPNs for most application access scenarios, there are situations where full network access may still require a VPN—such as administrative tasks or legacy app support.
The best approach may involve both: using ZTNA for day-to-day application access and VPNs as a backup for specialized use cases.
Choosing the Right ZTNA Solution
When selecting a ZTNA platform, consider:
Identity-Centric Access Controls: Ensure policies follow the user, not the location.
Cloud-Native Support: Essential for today’s decentralized environments.
User Experience: Look for minimal login steps and fast performance.
Continuous Compliance Checks: Devices should be evaluated throughout the session.
Security Inspection: Inline threat scanning and behavioral monitoring.
Deployment Flexibility: Choose a solution that works on-prem, in the cloud, or as a service.
Unified Agent Support: Helps streamline operations by combining VPN, ZTNA, and SASE in one tool.
Final Verdict: ZTNA vs VPN
VPNs served organizations well in a perimeter-based world. But as networks become more distributed and dynamic, ZTNA provides a smarter, more adaptive alternative. By shifting the focus from location-based trust to identity and context, ZTNA offers greater security, scalability, and user satisfaction.
For modern enterprises looking to reduce risk while improving access control and performance, ZTNA is the future of secure remote access.
At JEENN SOLUTIONS, we help businesses transition from traditional VPN setups to modern, secure Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) frameworks. Whether you’re looking to improve remote work security, streamline cloud access, or reduce cyber risks, our expert team can guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to learn how we can help you future-proof your network security.