Managed IT Services in Camarillo: How We Keep Your Business Running 24/7

In the rapidly evolving landscape of remote and hybrid work, secure remote access is a lifeline for small and midsize businesses (SMBs). At Network Thinking Solutions, we see firsthand how organizations grapple with choosing between legacy VPNs and more modern Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solutions. The decision isn’t simply about technology—it’s about balancing productivity, protecting sensitive data, and fitting security strategies into realistic operational budgets.

What Are VPNs and Zero Trust Network Access?

To start, let’s demystify the two main approaches to secure remote access—and outline why we believe the right choice is context-dependent for each business.

• VPN (Virtual Private Network): A VPN creates a secure tunnel between an end user and the organization’s internal network. After authenticating, users typically have wide-ranging access to network resources—almost as though they’re sitting at a desk in the main office.
• ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access): ZTNA takes a fundamentally different approach: “never trust, always verify.” Instead of granting blanket network access, users get streamlined, targeted access only to specific apps and services based on their identity, security posture, and policy controls—no more, no less.

Why This Choice Matters for SMBs

For many managed IT clients—especially those in regulated industries, distributed teams, or fast-growing organizations—the traditional VPN has become a bottleneck and a source of risk. Let’s break down how each solution stacks up on the metrics that matter most:

Security: Core Differences Between VPN and Zero Trust Network Access

• VPNs: Grant ‘inside the fence’ access to your network once credentials are entered. If credentials are compromised, attackers can freely move within your environment—posing a real threat to business continuity and sensitive data.
• ZTNA: Insist on user and device authentication at every step. ZTNA micro-segments access—users connect only to the apps and data they need, and nothing else. Even if a breach occurs, movement is contained, dramatically reducing risk.

ZTNA also typically includes adaptive security checks (like device posture and real-time identity verification), pushing your defense from “castle and moat” to a dynamic, high-walled system that’s constantly watching the gates.

Operational Performance and Scalability

As a managed IT services partner, we often see operational bottlenecks surface with VPNs, especially as teams grow or work patterns become more distributed.

VPN	ZTNA
All remote user traffic is routed through central VPN servers, easily creating bottlenecks and slowdowns	Cloud-native and direct app-to-user routing, reducing latency and accelerating cloud and SaaS access
Scaling up often requires costly hardware upgrades	Effortlessly scales up or down with user count, offering operational agility
Single entry point presents a potential single point of failure	Distributed architecture minimizes risk of global outage

Implementation and Management: Real-World Considerations

We know SMB owners and IT managers are stretched thin. Complexity isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a cost.

• VPNs: Typically require on-premise servers, manual setup, certificate provisioning, and extended deployment (sometimes 6-8 weeks or more for larger organizations). Ongoing management can be equally cumbersome, with constant patching and troubleshooting.
• ZTNA: Most modern ZTNA solutions are cloud-delivered, allowing rollout in days—not months. Unified dashboards simplify central policy updates, troubleshooting, and compliance reporting. Automatic updates reduce manual workload for in-house (or outsourced) IT teams.

Cost Comparison: Getting Practical About Expenses

This is where things get interesting for resource-conscious business leaders:

• VPNs: Ongoing user licensing fees plus expensive up-front investment in hardware (on-premise firewall, VPN gateways, etc.), often starting at tens of thousands of dollars for robust deployments. Maintenance and scaling costs can increase quickly with business growth.
• ZTNA: Subscription-based, per-user cost model with little or no initial hardware required. Easy to predict, and quick to adjust if your team grows or contracts. No hidden infrastructure surprises.

For many of our clients, a detailed cost-benefit review tips the scales in favor of ZTNA—especially when the full picture, including staff time and risk reduction, is considered.

When Does VPN Still Make Sense?

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. VPNs still serve smaller organizations or those whose access needs are basic and internal:

• Organizations with fewer than 50 employees working from a single region
• Teams that rarely access cloud/SaaS tools or that rely almost entirely on internal servers
• SMBs with simple compliance needs and well-contained network environments

However, even in these scenarios, ongoing support and cybersecurity risk must be carefully managed as remote threats continue to evolve.

Where ZTNA Shines for Growing SMBs

• Supporting 100+ remote/hybrid team members
• Protecting sensitive financial data, PHI, or other regulated information
• Heavy reliance on SaaS/cloud (Microsoft 365, Google Workspaces, Salesforce, etc.)
• Needing granular, flexible control by department, user, device, and app
• Pursuing a security-first (or compliance-driven) modernization strategy

ZTNA helps ensure access is continually evaluated, making lateral movement in case of a breach extremely difficult—and reducing your overall risk surface.

Migration Roadmap: Transitioning from VPN to Zero Trust Network Access

If you’re considering a transition, here’s how we approach it with our consulting clients at Network Thinking Solutions:

1. Inventory Privileges: Audit current user access across all apps and data.
2. Map Critical Dependencies: Uncover which business services rely on what resources.
3. Pilot Program: Roll out ZTNA with a select user group to iron out technical or workflow kinks.
4. Phased Rollout: Gradually expand adoption while running VPN and ZTNA in parallel, minimizing disruption.
5. Decommission Legacy: Once confidence is established, wind down VPN overhead and optimize your security strategy.

This thoughtful approach ensures business continuity—and gives teams time to adapt to new workflows.

Zero Trust Network Access: A Real-World Perspective

For us, Zero Trust isn’t just a tech buzzword: it’s a fundamental security shift that reflects where modern business is heading. That’s why we emphasize process, policy, and user adoption—not just product selection. For SMBs that expect to grow, handle regulated information, or must respond rapidly to threats, ZTNA represents the secure, future-ready standard.

Your Next Steps—Start the Conversation

Evaluating and implementing the right secure remote access strategy can feel daunting—especially as your business needs and threat landscape evolve. At Network Thinking Solutions, we’re passionate about working alongside our customers to clarify these technical decisions and future-proof your investment.

If you’re ready to explore Zero Trust Network Access or want a roadmap to get more from your existing security infrastructure, reach out to our expert team today. We’ll help you protect your people, your data, and your peace of mind—so you can focus on driving your business forward.