VPN and Zero Trust – Contradiction or Compatibility in Modern IT Security Architectures?

In today’s IT security landscape, VPNs are often labeled as outdated, while Zero Trust is promoted as the future of secure access to corporate resources. However, this comparison oversimplifies the issue. 

Although VPN and Zero Trust differ significantly, they are not inherently incompatible. The real question is: Can both approaches coexist effectively within modern IT security architectures?

Table of Contents:

1. VPN and Zero Trust – Two Different Approaches 
   1.1 The Classic Understanding of VPN 
   1.2 Zero Trust: Trust Is Never Assumed
2. Where Does the Apparent Conflict Between VPN and Zero Trust Come From?
3. VPN as a Secure Transport Mechanism – Not a Security Philosophy
4. Conclusion: VPN and Zero Trust Can Work Together

VPN and Zero Trust – Two Different Approaches

The Classic Understanding of VPN

A traditional Virtual Private Network (VPN)is built on the concept of perimeter security. After a one-time authentication - via password, certificate, or multi-factor authentication (MFA) - the user gains access to the internal network. From a perspective of IT infrastructure, the client is then considered “inside” the trusted network.

The model introduces several security challenges:

• Trust is implicitly granted after login
• Access control is based on networks rather than applications or context
• Users may move laterally within the network without restriction

In the face of modern threats such as compromised endpoints, stolen credentials, and insider risks, this approach is no longer sufficient.

Zero Trust: Trust is Never Assumed

Zero Trust Security is based on a fundamentally different principle: “Never trust, always verify.”

Its key features include:

• Continuous verification of user identity, device posture, and contextual signals
• Access granted strictly according to the principle of least privilege
• Protection focused on individual applications and resources rather than network boundaries

In a well-implemented Zero Trust architecture, it no longer matters whether a user is physically inside or outside the corporate network. Trust is never assumed - every access request is evaluated independently.

Where Does the Apparent Conflict Between VPN and Zero Trust Come From

The perceived contradiction arises from the traditional understanding of VPN as an all-or-nothing access solution. In its classic form, VPN grants broad network access after authentication, which appears to conflict with the granular access control principles of Zero Trust.

However, this interpretation overlooks a crucial point:

A VPN is primarily a technology for encrypted communication, not a comprehensive security philosophy.

VPN as a Secure Transport Mechanism, not a Security Philosophy

This misunderstanding disappears when VPN is seen as a secure tunnel rather than a security framework. Even in Zero Trust environments, VPN technology can play an important role in:

• Reliably encrypting data traffic
• Securing connections over untrusted networks such as public Wi-Fi
• Connecting legacy systems that do not support modern identity-based access methods

What matters most is not the VPN tunnel itself - but how access is controlled after it is established.

When combined with strong identity verification, context-sensitive policies, and fine-grained authorization in a Zero Trust framework, VPN can become a valuable component of a hybrid security architecture.

• Modern VPN solutions have evolved significantly and now offer:
• Granular routing controls
• User- and device-specific access policies
• Advanced authentication mechanisms
• Integration with identity and access management (IAM) systems

These capabilities allow VPN to complement and strengthen Zero Trust architectures rather than contradict them.

Conclusion: VPN and Zero Trust Can Work Together

VPN and Zero Trust represent different approaches but are not opposed concepts. A traditional VPN alone cannot deliver the full security benefits of a Zero Trust architecture. However, when strategically integrated into a broader Zero Trust framework, VPN provides a reliable and practical foundation for secure communication.

Hybrid strategies allow organizations to transition gradually from network-centric security to identity- and resource-based protection models. Eliminating implicit trust is not an overnight process. A mature, well-integrated VPN infrastructure supports this transformation and protects critical transition phases, while continuing to ensure secure connectivity across modern IT environments.