Insights from Manuel Aquilina, COO at Smart Technologies
The shift towards remote and hybrid working has brought with it new challenges around security, scalability and performance. For many years, VPNs have been the go-to solution for secure remote access. They have served us well, but the demands of today’s workforce and the sophistication of modern cyber threats require more.
At Smart Technologies, we work closely with our partner Fortinet to deliver security-first solutions that match the pace of change. One area we are actively helping clients improve is the transition from traditional VPN setups to Universal Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).
The Limitations of VPNs
VPNs operate on a trust model that assumes once a user is inside the network, they are safe. This approach is no longer effective. Cyber attackers are increasingly exploiting VPN connections to move laterally across systems, looking for weak spots and gaining access to sensitive data.
This risk is especially high in hybrid environments, where users frequently switch between office and remote locations, often across unsecured networks and unmanaged devices. VPNs were not designed for this level of flexibility or threat exposure.
What Makes Universal ZTNA Different?
ZTNA operates on a simple but powerful principle: never trust, always verify.
With Universal ZTNA, access is granted only after continuous verification of the user’s identity, the security posture of their device, and the specific application or service being requested. This least-privilege model significantly reduces the attack surface and helps prevent the kind of lateral movement that makes ransomware attacks so damaging.
Beyond the security benefits, ZTNA also delivers a better experience for end users. It removes the need for manual VPN configuration and does not route all traffic through a central location, improving speed and performance, particularly for teams working across multiple regions.
Getting ZTNA Right
ZTNA is not a plug-and-play replacement for VPN. It must be integrated thoughtfully into your existing infrastructure to ensure it works seamlessly with the rest of your security stack. But with the right expertise and a trusted partner like Fortinet, the move to ZTNA is a strategic step forward – both in terms of cybersecurity and user productivity.
At Smart Technologies, we help organisations adopt Universal ZTNA in a way that is secure, efficient, and tailored to their environment. It is about more than replacing one tool with another. It is about building a more resilient and future-proof remote access strategy.
Is It Time to Move Beyond Your VPN?
If you are relying on VPN to secure remote access, it may be time to consider a more advanced approach. ZTNA offers stronger protection against modern threats, improves performance for remote teams, and better aligns with the needs of today’s hybrid workforce.