What is Virtual Private Networking (VPN)?
Virtual Private Networking (VPN) is a technology that creates an encrypted tunnel between a user’s device and a remote network, allowing data to travel securely over the public internet. VPNs are commonly used to provide remote users with access to internal systems or networks by masking their connection within a trusted tunnel. While VPNs encrypt traffic, they typically extend full network access once connected, making them vulnerable to misuse if user devices are compromised.
Why is Virtual Private Networking (VPN) Important?
VPNs have long been a standard for enabling remote access to enterprise networks, particularly for employees working off-site or from home. They offer basic encryption and allow users to access internal resources as though they were directly connected to the corporate network.
However, in critical infrastructure environments, VPNs present significant security, operational, and compliance challenges. VPN tunnels extend broad network-level access, often without granular controls or visibility into user activity. If a VPN-connected endpoint is compromised, through malware, phishing, or stolen credentials, an attacker can move laterally from the endpoint to the network, potentially reaching sensitive operational technology (OT) systems.
Legacy VPNs are difficult to scale securely, hard to audit, and often incompatible with Zero Trust or least-privilege models. Modern security frameworks like NERC CIP, IEC 62443, TSA SD02E, and NIS2 emphasize isolated, controlled, and monitored access, which VPNs typically cannot provide. As cyber threats increase and compliance demands tighten, organizations are shifting away from VPNs toward more secure, application-layer access solutions.
How Does Xona Help with Virtual Private Networking (VPN)?
Xona replaces the need for traditional VPNs in OT and ICS environments with a disconnected, zero-trust access platform that eliminates direct network connectivity between user endpoints and critical systems. Unlike VPNs, Xona does not grant network-level access. Instead, it enables protocol-isolated, browser-based sessions (RDP, SSH, VNC, WEB) that are proxied through a hardened access gateway.
This architecture neutralizes common VPN risks such as lateral movement, malware spread, and insider threats. Xona also provides session recording, multi-factor authentication, credential injection, and real-time oversight, all of which are difficult, or impossible, to enforce in VPN environments.
By modernizing secure remote access without VPN tunnels, Xona empowers organizations to meet evolving compliance mandates, reduce their attack surface, and simplify secure access for internal and third-party users, without compromising operational agility or uptime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main function of a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between a user device and a remote network, allowing secure data transmission over the internet while making the user appear as if connected to the internal network.
Why are VPNs considered a risk in operational technology (OT) environments?
VPNs typically provide broad, network-level access, which can enable lateral movement and malware/ransomware spread if a user’s device is compromised. This poses a significant risk in sensitive OT environments.
Do VPNs support granular access controls for critical systems?
Are VPNs compatible with modern Zero Trust security models?
What compliance challenges can arise when using VPNs?
VPNs often lack the session visibility, logging, and user-level access controls required by regulations such as NERC CIP, IEC 62443, and TSA SD02E, making audits and policy enforcement difficult.
