• Learn
  • /
  • Knowledge Center
  • /
  • Blog
  • /
  • VPNs Are Falling Short—What Comes Next?

VPNs Are Falling Short—What Comes Next?

Must read

February 03, 2025 * 5 min read

For years, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have been the go-to solution for securing remote access. But cracks in this aging technology are becoming impossible to ignore. As cyber threats escalate, businesses relying on VPNs face mounting security risks, operational headaches, and frustrated users.

Recent developments paint a clear picture of VPNs reaching the end of their usefulness:

These developments all point to one conclusion: VPNs were built for a different era and are no longer capable of securing today’s cloud-first, hybrid workplaces.

Why VPNs Are No Longer Enough

VPNs were designed in the late 1990s to securely connect remote employees to corporate networks. But back then, corporate applications and data were housed on-premises, and VPNs functioned as a secure tunnel into that centralized environment. Today, businesses no longer operate within the walls of a single network perimeter. Applications, data, and workflows have moved to the cloud, users work across multiple devices from anywhere, and hybrid collaboration is the norm. Yet, VPNs still operate under the outdated assumption that all traffic should be funneled through a central network—a model that creates bottlenecks, security gaps, and performance issues in today’s decentralized, cloud-first world.

The Key Issues with VPNs Today:
  • VPNs are a liability for security. They grant broad access to entire network segments. If an attacker compromises one device, they can move laterally across the network, gaining access to critical systems.
  • They weren’t built for cloud-based applications. As enterprises migrate to SaaS and hybrid cloud environments, VPNs struggle to keep up, often slowing connections and increasing IT complexity.
  • AI-driven attacks are making them more vulnerable. Cybercriminals use artificial intelligence to automate VPN exploits, bypass outdated authentication methods, and identify security gaps at scale.
  • They frustrate users and encourage bad security habits. VPNs are notorious for causing performance slowdowns, and employees often bypass them entirely, exposing the organization to even greater risk.
  • VPN connections are expensive and labor-intensive to maintain. IT teams spend significant time patching, updating, and troubleshooting them, resources that could be better allocated elsewhere.

Given all these challenges, VPNs are no longer the best option for securing remote access. So, what’s the alternative?

A Modern Approach: Zero Trust with Primary Secure Enterprise Browser

Rather than relying on outdated, network-centric security models, enterprises need a Zero Trust approach that secures individual applications, not entire network segments.

That’s where the Primary Secure Enterprise Browser comes in. Built from the ground up with Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) baked into its architecture, Primary eliminates the need for VPNs altogether. Here’s how it works:

  • Granular, Application-Specific Access: Unlike VPNs, which grant broad access to entire networks, Primary ensures users can only access the specific applications they need—nothing more.
  • Stronger Security Against AI-driven Threats: Primary continuously verifies user identity, device posture, and session integrity before granting access, blocking sophisticated automated attacks.
  • Seamless Cloud and SaaS Integration: Employees get direct, secure access to business-critical applications without the bottlenecks and sluggish performance of a VPN.
  • Enhanced User Experience: Say goodbye to slow VPN connections. With Primary, users enjoy fast, frictionless access to their work, no matter where they are.
  • Simplified IT Management: No more VPN patching or troubleshooting. Primary eliminates the overhead of managing network tunnels and access controls.
The Death Knell for VPNs

With increasing cyber threats, growing cloud adoption, and a shift toward hybrid work, VPNs are quickly becoming obsolete. Organizations must move beyond legacy network security models and embrace a Zero Trust approach that secures access at the application level.

Primary Secure Enterprise Browser provides a modern, secure, and scalable alternative to VPNs, delivering Zero Trust access without the complexity.

Zero Trust Controls

Set the gateway controls to cover the selected groups of users.

Most Read

Dive into our most popular articles, trusted by industry leaders and experts.

  • Artificial intelligenceSept 17, 2024

    The Impact of Generative AI on Cybersecurity: How Primary Leads the Defense

    Read More About this Topic
  • Threat LandscapeOct 29, 2024

    Deepfakes Are Targeting Enterprises - How to Fight Back Against the Digital Doppelgängers

    Read More About this Topic
  • Threat LandscapeSept 26, 2024

    Meet the Most Dangerous Ransomware Gangs Targeting Your Business

    Read More About this Topic

Ready to Build Your Digital Resilience?

Discover how Primary can help your organization adapt to evolving threats while maintaining secure, seamless operations. Schedule a demo today to see our tools in action and learn how you can enhance your enterprise’s resilience against the challenges of tomorrow.

Schedule a Demo