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Managed Wi-Fi SolutionsPosted 20th August 2025
Many businesses have embraced the flexibility and productivity that comes with letting teams work from anywhere, but whilst remote work brings huge benefits, it also presents new challenges for IT security.
Traditional tools like Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are starting to feel outdated, leaving many businesses asking: what comes next? How can teams collaborate securely without relying solely on VPNs?
For years, VPNs have been the backbone of remote working security. They encrypt traffic and let employees safely connect to company networks from home. But as more business services move to the cloud and cyber threats become more sophisticated, VPNs are showing their limitations.
They can slow down work by routing all traffic through a central server, create a single point of failure if the system goes down, and often give users broader access than they actually need. On top of that, VPNs were designed for office-based servers, not cloud apps and hybrid working environments.
This isn’t to say VPNs are useless - they still have a role - but businesses need to look beyond them if they want to keep their teams secure and productive.
One of the biggest shifts in IT security is the move towards a Zero Trust model. Unlike traditional perimeter-based security, where anyone “inside” the network is trusted, Zero Trust takes the approach of “never trust, always verify.” Every user, every device, every session must prove it’s safe. Access is only granted to the resources needed for the job, and suspicious activity is constantly monitored.
For remote and cloud-first businesses, Zero Trust is far more flexible than VPNs. It works seamlessly with modern collaboration tools and cloud services while keeping your data protected.
Beyond Zero Trust, there are a range of tools that help teams work together safely.
Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions with single sign-on and multi-factor authentication make logging in secure but simple. Endpoint security ensures that laptops, tablets, and mobiles remain protected wherever they are. Cloud security measures safeguard the apps and data your team uses every day.
Even collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams and Slack now come with built-in compliance and security features, so your team can communicate and share files without worrying about breaches.
If your business still relies heavily on VPNs, now is the perfect time to rethink your approach. Start by reviewing who needs access to what, and how they are connecting. Make multi-factor authentication standard for all employees and think about gradually introducing Zero Trust principles. Don’t forget the human side of security either - training your team on best practices is just as important as the tools they use. Working with an IT partner can help make this transition smoother and ensure your business stays both productive and secure.
The way we work has changed, and our approach to IT security has to keep up. VPNs alone aren’t enough anymore, but with modern tools, strategies like Zero Trust, and the right guidance, small and medium-sized businesses can enable secure remote collaboration without compromise.
At LP Networks, we help businesses move beyond outdated systems and build IT solutions that match the way people work today. If you want to explore how your team can collaborate safely and efficiently, our experts are ready to help!
