VPN is Dead, long live the zero trust

In recent years, virtual private networks, commonly known as VPNs, have been the cornerstone of cybersecurity strategies for businesses. An apparently foolproof system that has provided a secure channel for data traffic between remote users and corporate networks for decades. However, the landscape of cyber threats has changed. Attacks have become more sophisticated, remote work has become the norm, and the cloud is now the backbone of many corporate infrastructures. With these changes, VPNs have begun to show their limitations. This is where the Zero Trust paradigm is emerging as not only a more modern but also a more secure alternative.

The Twilight of VPN

In the past, the VPN was considered the standard solution for allowing employees to securely access corporate resources remotely. By connecting to the network through an encrypted tunnel, the user was automatically placed within the company's "secure perimeter," as if crossing a kind of protected gateway that made them part of a fortress. This model was based on the idea that keeping the external perimeter well protected ensured the security of everything inside it, an approach that could work in an era when infrastructures were static and cyber threats less sophisticated. Perimeter security was seen as a solid and impenetrable barrier, behind which corporate data and resources could be protected. This approach worked for a long time, especially when the number of remote users was limited and the IT infrastructure was primarily localized.

But this model has become obsolete. Modern corporate networks are no longer castles surrounded by walls, with a well-defined perimeter. They are more like an expanding city, full of distributed access points and users connecting from all over the world. Remote work, cloud applications, and mobile devices have made the concept of a "secure perimeter" almost ridiculous. VPNs, in many cases, offer a false sense of security: once a user (or an attacker who has compromised the user) is inside, they can move freely, often without limitations.

Moreover, attacks have become more frequent and destructive: attackers not only encrypt data with ransomware attacks, but also exploit access to networks to spread malware laterally, compromise critical systems, exfiltrate sensitive data, and even manipulate information to cause operational damage. Today's attacks go far beyond ransomware: they include targeted spear phishing campaigns, supply chain attacks, identity compromises, and sophisticated social engineering attacks aimed at taking control of key resources and destabilizing business operations. This variety and sophistication of attacks show that the old VPN-based security model is no longer sufficient: once access to the network is obtained, attackers can exploit implicit trust to move freely and amplify damage, highlighting the vulnerability of the traditional model.

The Paradigm Shift: What is Zero Trust?

The Zero Trust model starts from a revolutionary premise: never trust, always verify. Instead of automatically considering users or devices within the perimeter as trustworthy, Zero Trust relies on continuous access controls, evaluated in real-time, based on the user's identity and context. This means that every access request must be verified.

Not only that: access is granted only to the data or applications strictly necessary, and it is revoked as soon as it is no longer required.

In the Zero Trust model, the perimeter is not physical but logical. It focuses on users, devices, and data, regardless of where they are located. This makes the model extremely suitable for the cloud era and hybrid work. Every interaction – whether accessing a SaaS application or a corporate database – is verified explicitly and contextually. Trust is dynamic and constantly reassessed based on behavior and risk, always considering a risk-based security approach (risk-based). Security in a company must be assessed not only in terms of immediate threats but also with a broader perspective that considers the likelihood and impact of various risks, ensuring that every security decision is proportionate to the level of risk the organization is willing to accept.

The Challenges and Complexities of Implementation

Adopting a Zero Trust model, however, is neither simple nor immediate. Many organizations attempting to implement it face various obstacles. The confusion created by vendor marketing is one of the main problems: today, many vendors tend to label every product as 'Zero Trust,' but the reality is much more complex. Zero Trust is not a single tool or ready-made solution that can simply be purchased and installed. In reality, Zero Trust is a set of fundamental principles that requires the coordinated integration of various technologies, a deep understanding of an organization's specific vulnerabilities, and a well-structured operational strategy. Installing software alone is not enough to achieve Zero Trust protection: it is necessary to review the overall IT architecture, establish context-based access controls, and apply constant and dynamic verifications for every access request. This approach requires a strategic vision that considers risks holistically and continuously adapts to evolving threats, making security a proactive and resilience-oriented process.

Legacy infrastructures represent another significant challenge. Many companies have outdated systems that are difficult to modernize and often incompatible with new security approaches. Integrating Zero Trust into environments where the Internet of Things (IoT), operational technologies (OT), and industrial systems are the norm can be complicated and requires dedicated policies and tailored approaches.

The lack of skills is a further obstacle: Zero Trust requires a deep understanding of modern architectures, segmentation techniques, and advanced authentication systems. This requires a significant investment in training and skills updating, which not all companies are ready to make.

Finally, there is the issue of resistance to change. Many companies, and even more employees, are used to implicit trust and unrestricted access to corporate resources once inside the perimeter. Implementing Zero Trust means radically changing access habits, requiring a cultural change that can meet strong resistance. This change concerns not only technology but also the mindset of users, especially those with significant privileges such as VIP users. These users, accustomed to quick and unrestricted access, may perceive new measures as an obstacle to their daily activities. Furthermore, Zero Trust policies require that every access request be continuously verified, which represents a significant shift from the traditional model of implicit trust once inside the corporate perimeter. Resistance may also arise from the fear of a reduction in work efficiency, but here a provocative question arises: is it better to have freedom determined by apparent ease of use with little security and associated risks, or to create a secure model that still embraces business dynamism? It is precisely this type of control that makes Zero Trust an essential strategy for mitigating risks more effectively and adaptively, ensuring that even the most powerful accounts are adequately protected.

The Promises of Zero Trust: Why It Matters

Despite these challenges, Zero Trust is rapidly becoming the new security standard. The transformation of how companies operate – remote work, the move to the cloud, increased user mobility – requires a new approach. Zero Trust was born to meet these needs, offering a level of adaptive, dynamic, and granular security that goes beyond the simple concept of a "perimeter."

In a Zero Trust architecture, access is constantly monitored and adapted based on context and risk. If a device or user exhibits abnormal behavior, access can be limited or revoked in real-time. This approach not only improves security but makes organizations more resilient, limiting the lateral movement of attackers and reducing the potential impact of sophisticated attacks, such as ransomware.

Recommendations for Success: A Deep Dive

Implementing a Zero Trust strategy can seem complex and daunting, but with the right recommendations and a structured approach, it is possible to successfully navigate this journey. In this section, we will explore in depth the main strategies that can ensure effective Zero Trust implementation, covering topics such as strategic planning, phased implementation, identity management, operational integration, and the importance of cultural change. Each aspect will be examined to provide practical and concrete guidance on how to get the most out of a Zero Trust model.

Strategic Planning: Implementing a Zero Trust strategy requires well-structured strategic planning. It is not enough to embrace the general concept; specific use cases must be identified to reduce application exposure or mitigate risks such as lateral malware movement. This involves a detailed analysis of critical points within the IT architecture and prioritization of the most vulnerable areas. For example, protecting critical applications with detailed access visibility allows focusing efforts on the most exposed or crucial business resources. Organizations should align their Zero Trust strategy with their risk assessment and identity management processes, ensuring that all stakeholders involved understand the impact and benefits of this approach.

Phased Implementation: The implementation of Zero Trust should be carried out gradually, starting with the most sensitive applications or workloads. This allows organizations to validate the effectiveness of the model without risking the entire system. The pilot and Proof of Value (PoV) phase is crucial for gaining stakeholder buy-in and demonstrating tangible benefits before extending adoption on a larger scale. A phased approach also offers the opportunity to gather feedback during each stage of implementation, make corrections and adjustments, reduce the risk of large-scale failures, and increase the internal team's confidence. This progressive process also facilitates cultural adaptation, mitigating the natural resistance to change from users.

Investing in Identity Management (IAM): An effective Zero Trust model cannot do without robust identity management. Identity and Access Management (IAM) must incorporate continuous adaptive trust mechanisms and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure that every access request is verified and validated in real time. The integration of Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) tools is crucial to detect identity compromise attempts and respond in a timely manner. ITDR allows identifying anomalies and suspicious credential-related activities, further enhancing the effectiveness of the Zero Trust model. Organizations must consider identity as the new perimeter, ensuring that access is constantly monitored and that every user, device, or service is treated as potentially compromised until proven otherwise.

Operational Integration: Zero Trust must be seamlessly integrated with existing cybersecurity programs, without creating silos or duplications. This means that the Zero Trust strategy must coexist and strengthen already established processes such as identity management, data governance, and security operations. The goal is to create an interconnected ecosystem where Zero Trust acts as a cross-cutting protective layer that enhances overall resilience. A common challenge during operational integration is the lack of interoperability between legacy and modern technologies; therefore, it is essential to plan upgrades and technological alignments that promote interoperability. Additionally, coordination with other security frameworks, such as NIST or ISO, can facilitate integration and ensure that Zero Trust is not seen as an obstacle, but rather as an enabler of a broader defense strategy.

Continuous Education and Cultural Change: Beyond technological aspects, adopting Zero Trust requires cultural change and continuous skill updates. This can be facilitated through targeted training programs that explain the reasons behind the new security measures and how they contribute to the organization's overall resilience. Users must understand that the new measures are not intended to limit their operations, but to protect their own data and the company's integrity. The mindset shift is particularly critical for VIP users, who often see the new restrictions as an obstacle to their daily activities; therefore, actively involving them in decision-making processes and demonstrating the added value of Zero Trust can help gain greater acceptance and support.

Conclusion:

The journey towards implementing a Zero Trust strategy is challenging, yet ultimately rewarding, offering a transformative impact on an organization's security capabilities. To achieve effective Zero Trust, a holistic approach is required, starting with strategic planning to identify specific use cases and vulnerabilities to address. This planning ensures that the implementation focuses on the most critical aspects of the IT infrastructure, prioritizing areas with the highest risk of exposure or compromise.

A phased implementation is essential to reduce risks and build momentum within the organization. Starting with the most sensitive workloads and progressively expanding the Zero Trust model, organizations can effectively manage change without overwhelming systems or personnel. Pilot programs and Proof of Value (PoV) initiatives are valuable tools for demonstrating success and gaining stakeholder buy-in, ensuring that each stage of the implementation is both measured and effective.

Investment in identity management is another fundamental pillar for a successful Zero Trust implementation. Identity and Access Management (IAM), combined with continuous adaptive trust mechanisms and advanced tools such as Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR), ensures that all access is verified in real-time and continuously monitored. By considering identity as the new perimeter, organizations can effectively guard against unauthorized access and mitigate the risk of identity-based attacks, which often represent the weakest link in traditional security models.

Operational integration is crucial to make Zero Trust a seamless component of the organization's broader cybersecurity framework. Rather than treating Zero Trust as an independent project, it must be integrated into existing processes, such as data governance, security operations, and risk management, to create a unified and resilient security ecosystem. Addressing interoperability issues between legacy and modern systems is fundamental to achieving this integration, and alignment with established security frameworks such as NIST or ISO can help streamline this process.

The importance of cultural change and continuous education cannot be overstated. Zero Trust is as much about changing mindsets as it is about technology. It requires a culture where security is seen as an enabler of business rather than an obstacle. Targeted training programs, transparent communication, and the involvement of key users in decision-making processes help reduce resistance and foster a sense of ownership over the new security measures. This cultural change is particularly important for privileged users, who may be accustomed to less restrictive access; engaging them early on and demonstrating the value of Zero Trust is vital for long-term success.

In conclusion, implementing a Zero Trust strategy requires commitment, resources, and a willingness to embrace change. However, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. Zero Trust offers a dynamic, adaptive security model that evolves with emerging threats, enhancing resilience and reducing risks across the organization.

By following these strategic recommendations—careful planning, phased implementation, robust identity management, seamless integration with existing cybersecurity practices, and fostering a culture of security—organizations can prepare for a more secure, adaptive, and resilient digital environment, ultimately positioning themselves to confidently face the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.