Secure Remote Work: Alternatives to the Old VPN
By the CTEKS team · October 15, 2026 · 3 min read
- Replace blanket VPN access with app-level, identity-based access.
- Require MFA and managed devices.
- Move one system at a time, starting with the riskiest.
A traditional VPN gives a remote user a tunnel into your whole network. That worked when most people sat in the office, but it also means one stolen password can open the door to everything. Here is how businesses secure remote work today.
Why the old VPN model struggles
A VPN usually trusts anyone who signs in. Once inside, a user or an attacker can often see far more than they need.
VPN appliances also need constant patching, and an unpatched one is a common way in.
Safer ways to give people access
- Multi-factor authentication everywhere. A password alone should never be enough.
- Application-level access. Give each person access to the specific apps they need rather than the whole network.
- Conditional access. Check who is signing in, from which device and place, and block or challenge risky attempts.
- Managed devices. Only let company-managed, encrypted and patched devices reach sensitive data.
- Cloud apps first. Microsoft 365 and other cloud tools can be reached securely without a VPN at all.
Many businesses keep a modern, well-managed VPN for a few legacy systems and use identity-based access for everything else.
Do not forget the home office
Remote work also means home Wi-Fi, personal printers and shared computers. Provide guidance, require device encryption and make it easy to report a lost laptop quickly.
A simple starting plan
- Turn on MFA for email, VPN and admin accounts.
- Inventory who has remote access and remove what is no longer needed.
- Patch or replace aging VPN appliances.
- Move toward app-based access one system at a time.
How CTEKS helps
We help businesses secure remote and hybrid teams with MFA, conditional access, managed devices and monitoring, and we retire or harden old VPNs.
Frequently asked questions
Do we still need a VPN?
Sometimes, for legacy systems. Many businesses keep a hardened VPN for a few apps and use identity-based access for everything else.
Is zero trust expensive?
Not necessarily. Much of it builds on tools you may already own, such as Microsoft 365 security features.
What is the first step?
Turn on MFA everywhere and list who has remote access today.
For the bigger picture behind this approach, read our guide to zero trust security. Want a second opinion on your own setup? Request a free assessment and we will walk you through it in plain English.
Keep reading
- What Should a Managed IT Plan Include?
- Zero Trust Security: A Plain-English Guide
- 7 Signs Your Business Outgrew Its One IT Person
More guides are in our knowledge base. Prefer to talk it through? See our support plans or call (847) 200-3666.
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