What is a VPN (Virtual Private Network)?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a secure connection method that creates an encrypted "tunnel" between a user’s device and a remote server. This allows data to be transmitted securely over public or private networks, such as the internet. VPNs are commonly used to protect sensitive data, hide a user's IP address, and enable access to resources or websites that might otherwise be restricted by location or network settings. In an organizational setting, VPNs often provide employees with remote access to company resources as if they were directly connected to the internal network.

Why use a Virtual Private Network?

Organizations may mandate the use of VPNs to provide encrypted access to specific internal resources, such as servers, databases, and applications, over public or untrusted networks. By requiring employees to connect through a VPN, IT and security teams can restrict access to specific users or roles, and remote employees can securely work as if they were on the organization’s internal network.

Shortcomings of VPNs

While VPNs seem to offer many advantages, there are a number of setbacks:

• Security vulnerabilities: VPNs often create broad network access, which can expose an organization to attacks if a single credential is compromised. VPNs are also challenging to configure for least privileged access, leading to over-permissioning.
• Complexity and maintenance overhead: VPNs require constant management, including handling certificates, rotating keys, and ensuring software patches. These factors increase IT workload and expose networks to potential misconfigurations.
• Performance bottlenecks: VPNs can become performance bottlenecks, especially with increased remote access demands. Routing all traffic through a central VPN server often results in slow response times, frustrating end users and reducing productivity.
• Compliance challenges: VPNs often lack the auditing and monitoring capabilities necessary to meet modern compliance requirements. This lack of visibility can hinder the ability to conduct proper security assessments and demonstrate regulatory adherence.
• Help desk tickets: Requests for resetting forgotten or lost passwords can inundate support staff and cause delays in critical work, as employees cannot access resources until their credentials are reset.

VPN alternatives

Teleport is a platform for secure infrastructure access that provides secure, identity-focused access to infrastructure, including servers, Windows desktops, public/private clouds, Kubernetes clusters, databases, and web applications. It delivers on-demand, least privileged access to infrastructure on a foundation of cryptographic identity and zero trust, with built-in identity security and policy governance.

Teleport eliminates the need for VPNs and bastion hosts by using identity-based, role-specific access and short-lived certificates, which restrict access to only necessary resources. This approach follows zero trust principles, enhancing security, easing compliance, and reducing complexity in infrastructure access control. Teleport also includes session logging and audit capabilities, ensuring traceability and compliance across all access events.

Conclusion

Managing role-based access control (RBAC) policies for VPNs can be complex and time-consuming, especially as organizations scale and access needs evolve. IT teams must constantly update policies to ensure the right people have access to specific resources while preventing unauthorized access, which can lead to misconfigurations or delays. Additionally, VPNs often introduce productivity bottlenecks, such as connectivity issues, slow performance, and the need for users to switch networks or configure settings, all of which disrupt workflows. These challenges make VPNs cumbersome for both IT administrators and end users, reducing overall efficiency.

As security demands evolve, solutions like Teleport offer organizations a scalable, effective, and user-friendly approach to managing infrastructure access by eliminating legacy tools like VPNs and bastions.