Published on: 2025-04-10

Intelligence Report: Zscaler ThreatLabz 2025 VPN Risk Report Over Half of Organizations Say Security and Compliance Risks Make VPNs Obsolete – Vmblog.com

1. BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

The Zscaler ThreatLabz 2025 VPN Risk Report reveals that over half of organizations view VPNs as obsolete due to significant security and compliance risks. Key findings indicate that 65% of organizations plan to replace VPNs within the year, with 81% adopting a zero trust strategy. The report highlights the growing threat of ransomware and supply chain attacks, exacerbated by AI-driven reconnaissance. Immediate action is required to transition from VPNs to more secure architectures.

2. Detailed Analysis

The following structured analytic techniques have been applied for this analysis:

General Analysis

The report, based on a survey of over 600 IT and security professionals, underscores the inadequacy of VPNs in the current cybersecurity landscape. VPNs, designed for remote access, now pose significant risks due to over-privileged access and vulnerabilities. The report highlights that 92% of respondents are concerned about ransomware attacks stemming from VPN vulnerabilities. The use of AI by cybercriminals to exploit these vulnerabilities further compounds the threat, necessitating a shift to zero trust architectures.

3. Implications and Strategic Risks

The continued reliance on VPNs poses strategic risks, including increased vulnerability to ransomware and cyberespionage. These risks threaten national security, regional stability, and economic interests by exposing critical infrastructure and sensitive data. The shift towards zero trust architectures is crucial to mitigate these threats and enhance cybersecurity resilience across sectors.

4. Recommendations and Outlook

Recommendations:

• Transition from VPNs to zero trust architectures to enhance security and compliance.
• Invest in AI-driven threat detection and response capabilities to counteract AI-enabled cyber threats.
• Implement regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and mitigate risks.

Outlook:

In the best-case scenario, organizations successfully transition to zero trust architectures, significantly reducing cyber risks. In the worst-case scenario, failure to adapt leads to increased ransomware incidents and data breaches. The most likely outcome is a gradual shift towards zero trust, with varying degrees of success based on organizational readiness and resource allocation.

5. Key Individuals and Entities

The report mentions Deepen Desai and Zscaler as significant contributors to the findings. Their insights and analysis are pivotal in understanding the current cybersecurity landscape and the urgent need for strategic change.