New research conducted by Zscaler has revealed that an overwhelming majority of organizations worldwide are facing a significant issue with unsafe Virtual Private Networks (VPN). According to the report, a staggering 88% of these organizations expressed deep concerns about the potential for breaches stemming from VPN vulnerabilities.
The primary worries among respondents were related to phishing attacks, accounting for 49% of the concerns, closely followed by ransomware attacks at 40%. These findings highlight the critical need for enhanced security measures and vigilance when using VPNs for regular business operations.
What is VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) plays a vital role in ensuring cybersecurity by establishing a secure and encrypted network connection for users accessing the internet via public networks. The encryption process employed by VPNs serves to safeguard sensitive data and communications, preventing unauthorized access.
Furthermore, VPNs obscure users' online identities, making it difficult for malicious individuals to monitor their internet activities or compromise personal information. This real-time encryption and privacy mechanism offers organizations and individuals an added layer of online security, guaranteeing the confidentiality and integrity of data during internet usage.
How VPN works?
Imagine a Virtual Private Network (VPN) as your secret online protector. When you use a VPN, your internet traffic takes a detour through a special remote server managed by the VPN host. So, instead of your data directly coming from you, it appears to come from the VPN server.
This clever trick hides your real IP address from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and snoopy third parties. It's like wearing an invisible cloak online.
The VPN acts like a filter, turning all your data into a secret code that nobody can understand.
Even if someone manages to catch your data, it will be gibberish to them – totally useless. So, you can surf the web with peace of mind, knowing that your online activities stay private and secure.
How is it becoming a threat?
A significant number of organizations, almost half of those polled, reported being targeted by cybercriminals who exploited vulnerabilities in their chosen VPN services. The vulnerabilities mainly stemmed from using outdated protocols or experiencing data leaks.
Over the past year, one-fifth of the organizations experienced at least one attack, while one-third encountered ransomware attacks specifically aimed at their VPNs. These findings highlight the importance of keeping VPN services up to date and implementing robust security measures to safeguard against potential threats.
Another concerning aspect is the potential for third-party vendors to become targets of exploitation, leading to successful supply chain attacks. External users, such as contractors and vendors, often have varying security standards and may not provide adequate visibility to their partners.
Managing external third-party access is a really tough challenge, as the researchers pointed out. Making sure these external connections are secure is super important because it helps prevent any possible breach that could mess up the entire network and compromise data integrity. It's like locking the doors tightly to keep the bad guys out.
To combat these challenges, businesses are turning to an
exciting approach called Zero Trust architecture. Imagine it as a digital
bouncer at the entrance of your network party. In this model, no one gets a
free pass. Every user and device must prove their identity, even if they are
already inside the trusted corporate network.
Picture this: before anyone can join the party, they have to show their ID, and their devices must pass a security check. Once they are in, they only get access to the areas they really need – no sneaking into the VIP section. It is all about granting the least privilege access to keep potential threats at bay.
By adopting Zero Trust, companies create a super-safe environment where everyone has to earn their place and only gets what they need. This way, the network stays protected from any unwelcome gatecrashers.
