VPNs expose enterprise applications to unnecessary risk. Zero Trust Security offers a safer, scalable alternative.
VPNs were designed for a different era. They were built to extend access, not contain threats. Yet many enterprises still rely on them—sometimes rebranded as cloud-based firewalls or bundled into SASE offerings—as the default method for connecting users to applications. The result is a persistent exposure point that undermines even the most advanced security investments.
The issue isn’t just legacy infrastructure. It’s the false sense of safety that VPNs create. Once a user connects, they often gain broad access to internal systems, regardless of device posture or location. This model assumes trust where none should exist. To protect sensitive applications—including AI models and data pipelines—enterprises must move decisively toward Zero Trust Security and eliminate VPN use altogether.
1. VPNs create wide-open access
VPNs don’t discriminate. Once connected, users often have access to entire network segments, not just the application they need. This flat access model makes lateral movement easy for attackers. If a device is compromised—whether through phishing, malware, or credential theft—the VPN becomes a tunnel into the enterprise.
In manufacturing, for example, a single infected laptop connected via VPN can lead to downtime across multiple production lines due to ransomware propagation. The VPN doesn’t contain the threat—it delivers it.
Zero Trust Security replaces this model with granular, identity-aware access. Users connect to specific applications, not networks. The result is tighter control and reduced exposure.
2. Cloud-based firewalls don’t solve the problem
Some vendors offer virtual firewalls or VPNs spun up in the cloud and label them as SASE. But the underlying architecture remains the same: a tunnel that grants broad access. The branding may change, but the risk doesn’t.
In finance, where access to trading platforms, compliance systems, and customer data must be tightly controlled, this model is especially dangerous. A compromised endpoint in a regional office can exploit VPN access to reach shared authentication servers and internal databases. The breach isn’t caused by lack of tools—it’s caused by misplaced trust in the network’s design.
This exposure pattern isn’t unique to finance. Across industries—whether in healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, or retail—VPNs often serve as broad access gateways that bypass segmentation and verification. Once connected, a compromised device can reach internal systems that were never intended to be exposed to external risk.
From patient record systems to production control platforms, the result is the same: malware or unauthorized access spreads faster than it can be contained. The underlying issue is architectural, not sector-specific. VPNs assume trust where isolation is required.
True Zero Trust Security doesn’t rely on tunnels. It enforces access at the application level, with continuous verification and device posture checks.
3. VPNs slow down AI application protection
AI models and data pipelines are increasingly central to enterprise workflows. They require secure, high-performance access—not legacy tunneling. VPNs introduce latency, reduce visibility, and complicate policy enforcement. Worse, they expose sensitive AI infrastructure to devices that may not meet security standards.
Across sectors investing in AI—such as healthcare, logistics, and retail—enterprises are discovering that VPN-based access creates blind spots. Devices with outdated software or weak credentials can connect to model training environments, inference engines, or sensitive datasets without proper inspection.
Zero Trust Security ensures that only verified users and compliant devices can access AI applications. It protects intellectual property, enforces usage boundaries, and supports scalable governance.
4. VPNs are difficult to monitor and audit
VPN traffic is often encrypted end-to-end, making it harder to inspect. Once inside, users can access multiple systems without triggering alerts. This lack of visibility complicates incident response and audit trails.
In consumer goods and retail, where distributed teams rely on shared digital assets, VPNs can mask unauthorized access to product designs, supply chain data, or pricing systems. By the time anomalies are detected, the damage is done.
Zero Trust Security provides detailed logs, real-time analytics, and policy-based access control. It simplifies compliance and accelerates response.
5. VPNs don’t align with modern work patterns
Hybrid work, third-party access, and BYOD have changed how enterprises operate. VPNs weren’t built for this. They assume static users, trusted devices, and predictable traffic. Today’s environment demands dynamic, context-aware access.
In sectors with sensitive data—such as healthcare, finance, and government—personal devices often become silent entry points for attackers. When employees use laptops or tablets for non-work activities and then connect them to internal networks, they inadvertently bypass security controls. These devices may carry dormant malware or compromised credentials, and once inside the network, they can trigger unauthorized access to confidential systems.
Zero Trust Security adapts to this reality. It verifies every connection, every time—regardless of location or device.
6. Transitioning away from VPNs is achievable
Eliminating VPNs doesn’t mean disrupting workflows. Enterprises can transition to Zero Trust Security using identity-aware proxies, secure access gateways, and cloud-native policy engines. The shift is incremental, but the impact is immediate.
Start by mapping application dependencies. Identify which users need access to which systems. Then enforce access through secure, authenticated channels—without tunneling into the network. The result is faster performance, lower risk, and better alignment with modern security frameworks.
Lead with precision, not assumption
VPNs were built to connect. Today, they expose. Enterprises that continue to rely on them—especially under new names or cloud wrappers—are accepting unnecessary risk. Zero Trust Security offers a better path: precise, verified, and contained.
Protecting applications, especially AI-driven ones, requires more than endpoint tools or cloud firewalls. It requires eliminating broad access and enforcing granular control. That starts by removing VPNs from the equation.
We’d welcome your perspective: what’s one access control shift that’s made the biggest difference in how your teams secure enterprise applications?