Government agencies from the US, New Zealand, and Canada have collaborated to release guidance aimed at enhancing network security for organizations. This document advocates for transitioning from traditional VPN solutions to more modern approaches like Secure Service Edge (SSE) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). Highlighting vulnerabilities in VPNs, the guidance emphasizes the need for granular access controls and zero-trust principles to mitigate cyber risks effectively.
The guidance outlines numerous security flaws associated with VPNs, citing recent cyber incidents as examples. It stresses that while VPNs vary in security levels, they often lack the stringent access controls offered by SSE and SASE solutions. The document encourages organizations to adopt these modern approaches to align with zero-trust principles, enhancing overall security posture.
Additionally, the collaboration between CISA, FBI, New Zealand’s GCSB and CERT, and Canada’s CCCS underscores the importance of least privilege and zero-trust concepts in securing remote computing environments. By prioritizing these principles, organizations can reduce the risk of cyber threats, such as device compromises and network vulnerabilities, which traditional VPNs may not effectively mitigate.
Moreover, the guidance identifies specific vulnerabilities in VPN systems that have been exploited by threat actors, leading to significant impacts on organizational security. Highlighting vulnerabilities like Ivanti gateway bugs and Citrix appliance flaws, the document recommends implementing SSE, SASE, and hardware-enforced network segmentation as robust alternatives to traditional VPNs. It urges organizations to assess their current security posture, conduct thorough risk analyses, and adopt the recommended security measures to safeguard against evolving cyber threats effectively.
