Known by the acronym ZTNA, these powerful tools can replace VPNs.

Should you use a ZTNA instead of a VPN?

The answer depends on a few factors.

A person pressing a ZTNA button with a VPN button behind it.

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It’s best for individuals and smaller businesses.

Lets take a detailed look at what each tool can do.

What is a VPN?

A stylized of a man holding a phone with ‘VPN’ superimposed.

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VPNswork by rerouting your internet connectionthrough another server.

VPNs in Businesses

For most businesses, though, the benefit is the other way around.

That way, anybody attempting to access your systems from outside cant get in, keeping your resources safe.

A very basic zero trust diagram.

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However, that only solves one security issue.

Others remain, the most important being that once youre in, youre in.

Without additional precautions, a user would have nearly full access to everything else on the web connection.

An employer could very easily keep track of what employees are doing while connected to the VPN.

What is ZTNA?

The issue with VPNs boils down totrust.

That said, this doesnt mean youre spending your workdays constantly entering passwords over and over.

Another benefit to using ZTNA is that the strict security works both ways.

VPN vs ZTNA: Which is Better?

However, its not quite that simple.

A final advantage VPNs have is that theyre relatively simple to set up.

A self-built business VPN can be set up in an afternoon.

Zero trust betwork access is more complicated.