Glossary

VPN Replacement

Identity Access Management

What is VPN Replacement?

VPN Replacement refers to the shift away from legacy Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) toward more secure, granular, and scalable access technologies such as Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) or Secure Remote Access (SRA). Traditional VPNs provide encrypted tunnels to internal networks, but once connected, users often have broad access, making VPNs difficult to manage securely in modern hybrid, cloud, or OT environments

Replacing VPNs with modern secure access solutions enables organizations to enforce least privilege, application-level controls, and continuous authentication without exposing the network layer.

Why is VPN Replacement Important?

VPNs are increasingly considered a legacy access method, built for a time before remote work, cloud adoption, and sophisticated cyber threats became the norm. VPNs lack granular access control, often rely on static credentials, and offer little to no visibility into user actions once connected. If a VPN-connected user device is compromised, attackers can easily move laterally within the network.

In critical environments such as industrial control systems (ICS), OT networks, and regulated sectors, VPNs create unacceptable risk. VPN replacement is a key step in modernizing cybersecurity posture and meeting standards like IEC 62443, NIS2, NERC CIP, and TSA SD02E, which call for auditable, identity-based, and application-specific access.

How Does Xona Help with VPN Replacement?

Xona replaces traditional VPNs with a zero-trust, protocol-isolated access platform that enables users to reach critical systems through a browser-based session, without network connectivity or VPN tunnels. Users authenticate through existing identity providers, access is enforced via role- and time-based policies, and all sessions are recorded and monitored for security and compliance.

By removing the need for VPNs, Xona reduces attack surface, eliminates lateral movement risks, and accelerates secure vendor and remote access workflows. It's a purpose-built solution for securing the modern hybrid workforce and critical infrastructure access.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to replace a VPN in a cybersecurity context?

VPN replacement involves moving from traditional network-level tunnels to modern access methods like zero trust based Secure Remote Access (SRA) that enforce granular, identity-based access controls.

Why are organizations moving away from VPNs for remote access?

VPNs expose broad portions of the network to users once connected, lack visibility and control, and are difficult to align with least-privilege and Zero Trust security models required in modern environments.

What are the benefits of replacing VPNs in OT or ICS environments?

Replacing VPNs in OT reduces lateral movement risks, supports compliance mandates, and ensures that remote users only access approved systems and applications without exposing the full operational network.

What role does Zero Trust play in VPN replacement strategies?

Zero Trust enables organizations to shift from implicit trust (as in VPNs) to continuous verification of identity, access authorizations, and session context, which align access to user roles and minimizes unnecessary network and critical system exposure.

How does VPN replacement support compliance with standards like NERC CIP or IEC 62443?

Modern access solutions that replace VPNs provide session auditing, time-based access, and application-layer controls that meet regulatory requirements for traceability and secure access governance.

How does Xona enable VPN replacement in critical infrastructure environments?

Xona delivers browser-based, protocol-isolated access without VPN tunnels, using identity integration, role-based controls, and full session monitoring to secure access without exposing the network layer or critical OT infrastructure.