Why VPNs Aren’t the Secure Solution You Think & How GCTI’s New Cybersecurity Diploma Is Changing the Game

By Todd M Price MBA, Ph.D.(c).

Introduction

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have long been a staple in online privacy and security. However, as cyber threats evolve, it is increasingly clear that VPNs alone are insufficient for protecting modern digital infrastructures. Despite their popularity, VPNs exhibit critical vulnerabilities that compromise network security.

The Limitations of VPNs

One of the major weaknesses of VPNs lies in the fact that they create a **single point of failure**. If a VPN server is breached, the entire communication between the user and the network can be compromised. This can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, and exposure of sensitive information (Shin & Choi, 2019). Moreover, research shows that **VPNs are susceptible to DNS leaks**, which expose a user’s browsing activity, even when they believe their data is encrypted (Zhang et al., 2020). These vulnerabilities raise significant concerns about their effectiveness in the current cyber threat landscape.

VPNs also struggle with providing **granular control over user access**. Traditional VPN setups generally give users access to entire networks rather than limiting their access to specific resources (Alcazar & Roberts, 2019). This can create potential attack vectors, especially when credentials are misused or fall into the wrong hands.

The Rise of Zero Trust Architecture

To address these limitations, **Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)** has emerged as the leading security model for modern infrastructures. ZTA is built on the principle of "never trust, always verify," meaning that trust is never assumed and every access request—whether internal or external—requires continuous verification (Rose et al., 2020). This approach eliminates the reliance on perimeter-based security models, such as VPNs, which fail to protect against insider threats and compromised credentials.

Google, as one of the pioneers of Zero Trust, has deployed this model across its operations under the name “BeyondCorp.” The BeyondCorp architecture emphasizes device-level and user-level access control, continuously verifying each entity’s trustworthiness before granting access (Evans & Levy, 2020). This model addresses the shortcomings of VPNs by enabling **granular access control**, **strong authentication mechanisms**, and **real-time monitoring** for every user and device in the network.

How GCTI is Leading the Change

At the **Global Counter-Terrorism Institute (GCTI)**, we are pioneering the use of **Google’s Zero Trust Architecture** within our new **Cybersecurity Diploma** program. This diploma equips students with hands-on experience in the most advanced cybersecurity frameworks. By focusing on Zero Trust, our students learn to secure networks in ways VPNs cannot, ensuring better protection against evolving cyber threats.

Our “Cyber Lab” at GCTI integrates Zero Trust into real-world case studies, enabling students to tackle issues such as credential theft, insider threats, and advanced persistent threats (APTs) with cutting-edge strategies. As industries shift towards cloud-based environments, securing infrastructures with Zero Trust principles is not just an option—it’s a necessity (Greene & Winkel, 2021).

Future-Proof Your Career

In today’s fast-evolving cybersecurity landscape, relying on VPNs is no longer sufficient. Zero Trust is rapidly becoming the industry standard, and GCTI is at the forefront of this transformation. By enrolling in our Cybersecurity Diploma, you can position yourself as a leader in the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

Visit [globalctinstitute.org](https://globalctinstitute.org) today to learn more, create an account, and join our community under the file share tab or groups. Stay updated on the latest industry insights and explore how our Cyber Lab is reshaping cybersecurity.

References

- Alcazar, M., & Roberts, J. (2019). **The Weaknesses of VPNs in Modern Cybersecurity Networks**. *Journal of Cybersecurity Management, 34*(2), 22-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcsm.2019.05.006

- Evans, L., & Levy, A. (2020). **BeyondCorp: A Case Study on Zero Trust Architecture at Google**. *Google Whitepapers*. Retrieved from https://research.google.com/pubs/beyondcorp.html

- Greene, D., & Winkel, J. (2021). **Zero Trust in Cloud Security: The Future of Cybersecurity Frameworks**. *International Journal of Cloud Computing Security, 56*(4), 189-204. https://doi.org/10.1109/IJCCS.2021.032

- Rose, S., Borchert, O., Mitchell, S., & Connelly, S. (2020). **Zero Trust Architecture**. *National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-207*. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-207

- Shin, S., & Choi, J. (2019). **Virtual Private Networks: Vulnerabilities and Mitigation Strategies**. *IEEE Transactions on Network and Service Management, 16*(2), 78-89. https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSM.2019.289