WatchGuard VPN and Zero Trust Security

From "Trust but Verify" to "Never Trust, Always Verify"

For decades, the prevailing model of network security was based on the concept of a trusted internal network and an untrusted external network. The goal was to build a strong perimeter, typically with a firewall, to keep the "bad guys" out. Once a user or device was on the inside of that perimeter, they were generally trusted by default. This "trust but verify" model worked reasonably well in a world where everyone worked in the same office and used company-owned devices. However, in today's world of cloud computing, mobile devices, and remote work, the perimeter has dissolved. There is no longer a clear line between "inside" and "outside," and the assumption of a trusted internal network is a dangerous one.

This is the problem that the Zero Trust security model was created to solve. As its name implies, Zero Trust is based on the principle of "never trust, always verify." It assumes that no user or device is trusted by default, regardless of whether they are on the "internal" network or not. Every request for access must be authenticated and authorized, and that access is granted on a "least privilege" basis, meaning that a user is only given the bare minimum of access they need to do their job. This is a fundamental shift in the way we think about security, and it is one that is essential for protecting modern, distributed organizations. To implement WatchGuard VPN download as part of your Zero Trust strategy, visit our main page for the client.

The Role of VPN in a Zero Trust Architecture

At first glance, a traditional VPN might seem to be at odds with the principles of Zero Trust. After all, a VPN is designed to extend the trusted network to a remote user, which is the very concept that Zero Trust seeks to abolish. However, a modern VPN solution like WatchGuard Mobile VPN can actually be a key enabler of a Zero Trust strategy. The key is to move away from the idea of the VPN as a tool for granting broad network access and to instead see it as a secure transport mechanism and an enforcement point for Zero Trust policies.

In a Zero Trust model, a user's identity is the new perimeter. Before a user is granted access to any resource, their identity must be rigorously verified. As we've discussed in our other articles, WatchGuard Mobile VPN's support for multi-factor authentication is a critical part of this. By requiring a second factor of authentication, you can be much more confident that the user is who they say they are. Furthermore, a modern VPN client can also be used to assess the security posture of the user's device. Before granting access, the VPN can check to see if the device has up-to-date antivirus software, a firewall enabled, and the latest operating system patches. If the device does not meet these security requirements, it can be denied access.

From Network Access to Application Access

The final, and perhaps most important, piece of the puzzle is to shift from a model of granting network access to a model of granting application access. In a traditional VPN, once a user is connected, they often have broad access to the entire corporate network. This is a major security risk, as it means that if an attacker compromises the user's device, they can move laterally and attack other systems on the network.

In a Zero Trust model, this is unacceptable. A user should only be given access to the specific applications and resources they need to do their job. A WatchGuard Firebox, in conjunction with the Mobile VPN, is the perfect tool for enforcing this. You can create granular firewall policies that define exactly which applications a user or group of users can access. For example, you could create a policy that allows a user to access a specific web application on a specific server, but blocks them from accessing anything else on that server or on the rest of the network. This is the essence of the principle of least privilege. By combining strong identity verification, device posture assessment, and granular, application-level access control, you can leverage your WatchGuard Mobile VPN as a powerful tool in your journey towards a Zero Trust security architecture.