Choosing the Right Remote Access Solution for Your Small Business
As remote work continues to become the norm, businesses of all sizes are looking for secure and efficient ways to allow employees access to company resources. Traditionally, many small businesses have relied on VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) for remote access, but in recent years, a more modern approach known as Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) has gained popularity.
In this post, we’ll explore the differences between VPNs and ZTNA, and how small businesses can leverage these solutions to keep their networks secure. We’ll also touch on some ZTNA solutions like Cloudflare Zero Trust, which offers a free tier for up to 50 seats, making it a great option for smaller businesses.
What Is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is designed to provide remote employees with access to a company’s network, regardless of where they are working from. When an employee connects to the VPN, it essentially creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between their device and the company’s internal network. Think of it like a castle and moat approach: the idea is that anyone who is “inside the moat” is trusted, and once you are inside the castle (the company network), you have unrestricted access to everything.
There are two main types of VPNs that businesses commonly use: site-to-site VPNs and client-to-site VPNs.
Site-to-Site VPNs
A site-to-site VPN connects entire networks securely over the internet. This type of VPN is often used to connect a business’s headquarters to remote offices or branch locations. The main advantage is that it’s a seamless solution for business locations that need constant access to each other’s networks. It keeps the data encrypted and secure as it moves between sites.
For example, a company with offices in multiple cities might use a site-to-site VPN to securely link the two offices, allowing resources and applications to be shared across both locations without needing to manually configure connections for individual users.
Client-to-Site VPNs
A client-to-site VPN is more common for remote workers who need to securely access company resources from their home or other external locations. When a remote employee connects to the VPN, their device essentially acts as if it’s part of the company network, providing access to internal systems.
However, client-to-site VPNs can create certain challenges. When remote users connect, their traffic is routed through the business’s gateway. This slows down traffic and adds latency, as all data has to travel through a central point before reaching its destination. Additionally, if the remote worker is on a local network (like a Wi-Fi connection at a coffee shop or at home), this can complicate things like local networking or accessing local resources, since the device’s traffic is being routed through the company network.
The issue with client-to-site VPNs is that while they provide strong security by keeping everything encrypted, they can also create a bottleneck, reducing overall performance, especially as remote teams grow or if there’s high traffic. This is why more companies are starting to look at alternatives like ZTNA for improving remote access performance.
The Shift to Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) takes a radically different approach from VPNs. Instead of assuming that everyone inside the network is trustworthy, ZTNA operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify.” This means that access is granted only after continuous authentication of the user’s identity and the security of their device.
Think of ZTNA as a modern alternative to the castle and moat approach: instead of securing the perimeter and letting users roam freely inside, ZTNA treats every access request—whether it’s from inside or outside the network—as a potential threat. It only allows users to access specific applications or data they need, and only after verifying their identity and the security of their devices.
For example, with ZTNA, if an employee tries to access a company’s internal CRM system, they will only be granted access if their device is secure (free from malware, up-to-date software) and if their identity is verified, based on factors like multi-factor authentication (MFA). Unlike a VPN, which typically gives access to the entire network once connected, ZTNA applies more granular control, minimizing security risks.
ZTNA vs. VPN: Comparing Performance and Security
One of the major advantages of ZTNA over traditional VPNs is performance. Since ZTNA doesn’t route all traffic through a central gateway like a VPN does, it’s typically faster and more efficient. ZTNA solutions allow traffic to be directed directly to the applications and resources needed, improving overall speed and eliminating the bottleneck that often comes with client-to-site VPNs. This makes it easier for remote employees to work without delays or connection issues.
ZTNA also has a clear advantage when it comes to security. With VPNs, once a user is connected, they have access to the entire network. If a device is compromised, it can lead to a significant security breach. ZTNA minimizes this risk by limiting access to only specific resources and continuously verifying the user’s security posture before granting access.
However, while ZTNA offers more granular security and better performance, it can come at a higher price—especially for small businesses. Traditional VPNs tend to be more affordable, while ZTNA solutions often involve subscription-based costs that can add up depending on the number of users, features, and scale of the business.
Self-Hosting ZTNA: Options Like NetBird and OpenZiti
For small businesses that are looking for more flexibility and control over their ZTNA deployments, self-hosted solutions are available. These solutions allow you to implement ZTNA without relying on a third-party service, potentially saving on subscription costs and offering more customization.
NetBird
NetBird is an open-source ZTNA solution that allows businesses to deploy their own Zero Trust security model. It’s an easy-to-use tool that provides secure access to applications and network resources while eliminating the need for complex VPN configurations. Businesses can use NetBird to create secure connections between remote workers, offices, or applications without needing to rely on a cloud provider.
NetBird offers a flexible and low-cost alternative for businesses that prefer to manage their own infrastructure rather than subscribing to a cloud-based ZTNA service.
OpenZiti
Another popular self-hosted option is OpenZiti, which is also open-source. OpenZiti allows businesses to build their own secure ZTNA infrastructure, focusing on the concept of identity-driven networking. It enables businesses to create a private, encrypted network for their applications, allowing only authorized users to access them based on their identity.
While OpenZiti can be a great solution for businesses that have the technical resources to manage their own ZTNA implementation, it requires some upfront effort to configure and maintain. But for businesses looking for complete control over their ZTNA environment, OpenZiti provides a highly customizable solution.
ZTNA Solutions for Small Businesses
For small businesses looking to implement ZTNA, there are several solutions that can be easily deployed without a hefty price tag. One of the standout options is Cloudflare Zero Trust, which offers a free tier for up to 50 seats, making it an excellent choice for small businesses looking to enhance their security without breaking the bank.
Cloudflare Zero Trust allows businesses to enforce Zero Trust security policies on all devices, control access to applications, and monitor user activity, all through an easy-to-use cloud platform. The free tier provides up to 50 users, making it a great option for small businesses with fewer remote workers.
How to Deploy ZTNA for Your Small Business
Deploying ZTNA is relatively straightforward, especially when using solutions like Cloudflare Zero Trust or open-source options like NetBird. Here’s a basic roadmap:
1. Identify Your Key Applications
Before deploying ZTNA, identify which applications your employees need access to. This will help you define access policies and decide who should have access to what.
2. Choose a ZTNA Provider
Select a ZTNA solution that fits your business needs. If you’re a small business with fewer than 50 users, Cloudflare Zero Trust offers a great free tier to get started. For more advanced features or self-hosting options, consider NetBird or OpenZiti.
3. Set Up User Authentication and Device Verification
ZTNA requires continuous verification of both user identity and device health. Ensure your employees are set up with multi-factor authentication (MFA), and configure device management policies to ensure their devices are secure.
4. Define Access Policies
Set policies for who can access which resources. For example, salespeople might need access to CRM software, while developers may need access to your code repository. ZTNA lets you customize these policies for each role.
5. Monitor and Optimize
Once deployed, monitor user activity and device health. Use your ZTNA platform’s insights to fine-tune your policies and ensure a smooth and secure remote access experience for your team.
Conclusion
As small businesses continue to adopt remote work, securing access to company resources becomes more critical. While traditional VPNs are still widely used, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) offers a more secure, scalable, and modern approach to remote access