A VPN or a virtual private network is a must-have tool today. It is considered suitable for internal employees who look for options to access the server from any location besides their office. Many companies use VPN client software just for this purpose so that in case you need to update something while working remotely, you can use the VPN and get it done in no time.
Such networks offer an individual high-speed connection that guides the companies in operating effectively. Unfortunately, they are several problems and concerns when it’s to using VPN services. Therefore it is essential to understand that these VPN concerns are vital for the security of your company.
Here we have outlined specific issues that may arise due to the use of VPNs;
VPNs can’t craft or implement policies that guard credentials
The third-party vendors, at times, follow several practices that are no favorable and are beyond our control. These practices usually create a way for hackers to enter and access your network. For example, when you share your credentials with co-workers or keep weak passwords of your accounts, they can be easily exploited.
More secure VPN leads to a less productive workforce
Although using a VPN enhances the security as compared to the unencrypted connection. But at the same time, the application performance and connection speed can go down due to certain factors like the time required to test the VPN and its provision, as it usually involves input from other departments like IT support.
This must happen before any server access is tested. This 2-step procedure slows down things and usually involves staff that isn’t familiar with how the application works or how vendors get access in the first place.
High VPN support costs lead to higher cost of doing business
While using VPNs, there is no form of centralized remote management. Without any ability to use, manage and monitor all the connections from a single position, the support personnel must spend a reasonable amount of time supporting the VPN client and associated applications.
Moreover, the third-party vendors might not have access to in-house technical support to assist in initial setup, troubleshooting any VPN connection problems, and sorting daily issues. You will need more resources at your desks to help users, increasing the cost of doing business, hence higher support costs.
A false sense of protection
It is generally believed that when VPN users and third-party vendors have access to our network, we think that the company network and data are both safe; this is also because of the ‘P’ in VPN, which stands for ‘private.’
However, in reality, this is not the case. In actuality, the hackers exploit weak VPN protocols and even non-secure internet connections that cause data breaches at companies.
VPNs are a shelter for hackers.
Hackers often utilize VPNs to gain access to other networks. Remember, if your company has several third-party vendors, then each of them has complete access to your network, and now the hacker has several routes to exploit the network through VPN traffic.
No third-party accountability
Usually, VPNs offer little or no audit records, so you cannot record and monitor each third-party vendor’s actions using the VPN.
Risky business
When a business plans to use VPNs to give third-party vendors access to their network, the vendors either get full access to the network or don’t- until the companies practice strict network segmentation with switches and firewalls that add extra complexity.
There is no option of giving partial access to the required resources only. The more applications, networks, and servers the vendors can access, the more you are at risk.
VPN servers give a vendor access to all things in your network until the least privileged access is implemented. Moreover, if you plan to segment the networks with VLANs, access is still too broad or narrow, which takes up extra VPN troubleshooting and even technician time.
Therefore, do you wish to put your company through such risks and everyday problems as discussed above? This won’t only impact your data but your company’s reputation too.
Hence it is better to opt for the third-party management system that does not give access to your entire network but only to the particular areas. This is based on the security principle of least privilege, where vendors can only access the required resources to get the job done.
