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VPN Replacement

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are a security tool used to provide remote users with encrypted connections to internal corporate networks. At a basic level, a VPN creates a secure tunnel between a user and an organization’s infrastructure, allowing access to applications and systems as if the user were on-site. This approach was designed to improve security for remote access and support multi-site connectivity at a time when network perimeters were clearly defined. However, as enterprises adopt cloud services, virtual desktop infrastructure, software-defined wide-area networking, and single-cloud devices, the traditional VPN model has become increasingly misaligned with modern IT environments and user expectations.

When used alone, VPNs are not sufficient to improve cybersecurity for enterprise organizations managing credentials across many systems. VPNs typically grant broad network-level access rather than application-specific access, increasing the risk of lateral movement if credentials are compromised. This architecture also contributes to DNS leaks, split tunneling misconfigurations, system stability issues, and performance bottlenecks, particularly as remote users scale. From an operational perspective, VPNs create greater dependency on centralized infrastructure, require complex configuration, and often fail to deliver a better user experience. As a result, organizations may struggle to balance secure access with simplified management and best performance if VPNs are used as the primary security protection for the business.

VPN replacement strategies can address the aforementioned challenges by shifting from perimeter-based access to identity-centric models, including:

These approaches focus on how to modernize secure access to critical systems by validating user identity, device posture, and context before granting access to specific applications. By consolidating networking and security controls, enterprises can support modern secure remote access with less dependency on network-level access controls, while reducing attack surfaces and administrative overhead. This model enables enterprise management teams to stop VPN leaks, enforce role-based and application-specific access without exposing entire networks, aligning security with how users actually work today.

Imprivata supports VPN replacement initiatives by enabling secure, identity-driven access through Imprivata Enterprise Access Management (EAM). By centralizing authentication, access management, and policy enforcement, Imprivata helps organizations reduce reliance on traditional VPNs while maintaining strong security controls. EAM supports modern access strategies that improve security, deliver a better user experience, and simplify management across distributed environments. For organizations seeking enterprise-grade remote access without sacrificing usability or stability, Imprivata provides a practical path forward beyond the limitations of VPN-only approaches.

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