VPNs
Elevating Remote Access Security Beyond Traditional VPNs BY RUSSELL QUINN
In the current dynamic threat environment , the vulnerabilities inherent in traditional virtual private networks ( VPNs ) are increasingly conspicuous . Recent data indicates a 300 % surge in cyberattacks targeting remote workers since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic , thereby emphasizing the pressing necessity for advanced remote access security solutions .
THE TRADITIONAL VPN : BALANCING SECURITY AND RISK
Before the COVID-19 pandemic , only 10 %– 15 % of employees at our clients ’ locations used remote access to work from home or on the road . During the pandemic , this figure increased to 100 %. Unfortunately , this shift also created new opportunities for cyberattacks . Phishing campaigns and other attacks focused on remote access saw a significant rise , and many of them were successful . This was primarily due to the quick and less stringent implementation of solutions , initially considered as a temporary fix until the pandemic ended but which were left inadequately secured in place .
According to Kaspersky , attacks on Microsoft ’ s Remote Desktop Protocol ( RDP ) increased by 768 % between the first and fourth quarters of 2020 . Although VPNs have traditionally been used to create secure connections between remote users and corporate networks , allowing personal devices to connect to these networks poses significant risks . A recent study found that 70 % of employees use personal devices for work , highlighting the widespread adoption of personal device integration in remote work settings . However , using personal devices introduces security challenges as they are more vulnerable to malware and need more essential security tools and protocols .
RISKS OF USING PERSONAL DEVICES
While many small businesses use VPNs to try to mitigate the risks of remote access solutions like RDP , there are
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