Is traditional VPN enough to meet modern zero-trust security measures

As companies move to the cloud, go global, and hire remote workers, we have to ask: Does the old Virtual Private Network (VPN) still work in the zero-trust world? Zero-trust is shaking up our security, and VPNs are struggling to keep up.

Let’s dive in. What do VPNs do, and how are new solutions like Netmaker filling the gap?

What is a traditional VPN?

A VPN has been the secure way to communicate remotely since Microsoft invented it in 1996. It can encrypt data and create secure paths between endpoints so data is safe when transmitted over public networks.

However, traditional VPNs have one big problem: they are perimeter-based security. If you’re inside the network, people trust you. It’s like giving everyone access just because they’re behind the door. Not great. With central gateways, VPNs can slow things down. And with fixed setups, they can’t keep up with the dynamic needs of modern businesses. What happens when users and devices change, and data is all over the cloud? Old-school VPNs don’t handle that well.

They can’t enforce granular access controls or least privilege rules. And scaling up? That’s a real challenge. Linking thousands of devices across many regions is hard.

What is Zero Trust Security?

Then there’s Zero Trust, a security model that flips the script. With Zero Trust, you don’t assume anyone inside the network is trustworthy. The new rule is: “Never trust, always verify.” Every user and device, no matter where they are, gets checked before they can access anything.

Traditional VPNs can’t keep up with today’s needs. They can still protect data on the move and encrypt communication, but they need some serious upgrades to support Zero Trust.

The WireGuard

Enter WireGuard is a new VPN system that’s fast, simple, and secure. Its blueprint? Clean and strong with just 4,000 lines of code. That’s a big plus compared to older systems like OpenVPN or IPSec.

WireGuard does a few things well:

• High performance: Fast response times, fast encryption with ChaCha20 and Poly1305.
• Easy to use: Fits into Linux kernels.
• Scalable: For changing distributed systems.

Because of its lightweight and fast nature, WireGuard is a great foundation for a VPN that fits with Zero Trust. It keeps communication safe, supports IP roaming,, and doesn’t slow down.

Netmaker: VPN and Zero Trust

This is where Netmaker comes in. It offers a next-gen solution to create Zero-Trust VPNs that is secure, scalable, and easy to use. With WireGuard as the base, Netmaker enables companies to create decentralized networks with low latency and high performance.

Here’s what Netmaker has:

• Decentralized mesh networking: Netmaker builds peer-to-peer links between nodes instead of a central gateway, so there are no single points of failure.
• Fine-grained access control: Detailed Access Control Lists (ACLs) allow you to specify which devices can talk. This enforces the least privilege for each device.
• Centralized management: The simple dashboard gives you control over policies, user roles and device access in one place. This makes enforcement easier and oversight better.
• Cloud-native integration: Netmaker works with Docker and Kubernetes, which is great for companies using hybrid or cloud-based setups.

With its Zero Trust approach Netmaker is changing the way companies approach network security. It helps organizations build strong scalable systems that stay secure.

How to set up a Zero Trust VPN

Ready to go Zero Trust? Here’s what to do:

1. Segment your network: Split your network into smaller pieces. For example, keep critical systems like finance or HR on their own segment. This reduces the risk of a breach spreading across your entire network. Each segment should have its own set of rules.
2. Deploy multi-factor authentication (MFA): You need MFA. Everyone who uses the network must have a second factor: a mobile app, text message, or biometric scan. That extra step makes a big difference.
3. Enforce least privilege access: Give users and devices the minimal permissions they need to do their jobs. Fewer permissions mean less surface area, so a compromised device has less to harm.
4. Continuous monitoring and logging: Monitor everything. Watch all user and device activity, look for unusual events (like logins from strange locations), and set up alerts to catch fishy behavior in real time.
5. Secure endpoints and enforce updates: Ensure every device is up to date and protected. Antivirus software, firewalls, and security patches are key. An outdated device is a weak link.
6. Use Netmaker to make it easier: Netmaker makes Zero Trust setup simpler

• Mesh networking: Devices talk to each other with no central point.
• Control in one place: Manage policies, user roles, and device access from one dashboard.
• Works with others: Fits with modern setups, including cloud-native tools like Docker and Kubernetes.
• Direct traffic and set limits: Create specific rules to control which devices can talk to each other so data goes where it should.

Future-ready network security

We saw how traditional VPNs failed in the Zero-Trust world. But new protocols like WireGuard and Netmaker are stepping up to the challenge. These tools allow VPNs to scale and provide the protection, growth, and flexibility that companies need today.

Interested in how Netmaker is rethinking VPNs for the Zero-Trust world? Join the conversation in this interview. Twain Taylor talks with Abhishek Kondur, Netmaker’s CTO, about how their solution uses WireGuard to create decentralized, high-performance, and secure networks for today’s businesses.