How do you choose between a firewall and a VPN for remote work security? (2024)

Firewall acts as a filter that only allows certain configured traffic to have access to a specific network or host. It comes as hardware or application which allows or prevent select access base on your security settings.

“When configured properly*, it acts as a barrier.”Correlation: “data packets (network traffic)” / people may not correlate data packets with network traffic, even though we always do.

A firewall separates a business network from the Internet. The most secure firewall configuration is the one where traffic is allowed out only. Employes will connect to the Internet to download emails, or to connect to other Internet resources such as websites, forums, etc... Firewalls have been equipped with UTM functions. Unified Threat Management is a way to inspect traffic and block it, if it is considered a risk, or doesn't qualify as business related.A firewall can allow traffic into the internal network of a business, to allow employees, or the public to access services, such a website, or an email server. Typically, we allow traffic in when the resource is for the public: email server, or a web server hosted internally.

A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between two computers. It allows the two computers connected via the Internet, to connect in a safe way as if they were in the same private network. VPN can be used for different purposes, to connect two, or more business sites, to allow remote employees to connect into the business network, to connect to cloud servers for management, or to encrypt your data when using untrusted networks.VPN uses various encryption protocols. SSL VPN is probably the most flexible protocol and is one of the best solutions for employees to connect to the company’s private network securely.On the other hand, IPSEC is very useful for site-to-site VPNs, such as two FortiGate firewalls connecting offices in different cities.

VPN is mainly used to prevent sniffing of data traffic between source and destination. Information can be sent across a VPN tunnel without being highjacked and deciphered.

While VPNs can add additional overhead, and therefore impact performance, the security implications far outweigh the impact when the service is configured optimally.VPN instances have been imperative in the WFH (Work From Home) movement that allows employees to access their corporate networks as though they were physically in that office.

Firewalls and VPNs both provide network security, they do so in different ways. Firewalls are used to protect a network by controlling incoming and outgoing traffic, while VPNs are used to protect a user's privacy and security by encrypting their online activity and hiding it from prying eyes.

This explanation is more technical: Use VPN to connect two remote(S2S)locations free of cost - only requires public IPsUse VPN also for remote access connection for clients - requires client software, CA certificate and firewall that’s cable of RA VPN(licenses). Firewall can protect traffic from inside and outside(internet) and vice versa In nutshell, see firewall and VPN as mother and daughter meaning VPN needs firewall for security access and NAT

A firewall is a way to block traffic for security purposes, whereas a VPN is a way to allow only authenticated traffic into the network.

Together, firewalls and VPNs can provide a powerful network security solution. Firewalls can block potential threats from entering a network, while VPNs can encrypt and protect the online activity of users accessing the network remotely. By using both technologies together, organizations can create a strong and comprehensive security posture that protects against a wide range of cyber threats.

The best solution is to use a firewall that also has VPN support. For example, Palo Alto firewalls use GlobalProtect. Security is not achieved by one solution. The defense in depth concept tells us multiple layers of security measures are necessary.

Most companies today need both a firewall and a VPN solution. There is no choice here. Unless the business doesn't have any other offices, and it doesn't have remote employees, and the employees' laptops never leave the business site. In which case, VPN is not needed. An extreme case, but these businesses exist.

This is a false-dilemma fallacy. Both solutions solve specific technical needs and most businesses likely need to implement both, with a firewall being a "must-have" for literally any network implementation.

My MSP uses a product that is cloud-based firewall with an agent that keeps the client behind the firewall rules and can be configured to be on their business network no matter where they are. This is better than a firewall with VPN access. This product keeps remote workers safe no matter where they are working from. Configuration is easy and does not require loads of time from the MSP. In my option, VPN's are old technology and I never want to set one up again.

Layered approaches are always best. A failure at one layer doesn’t equate to a total failure. The final layer is being aware and mindful of the inherent truth that all data could be one step away from being public domain through malicious or accidental means.

For tight access and better security, the newer technologies such as ZTNA, (Zero Trust Network Access), and NAC, (Network Access Control), are great additions to increase the security and integrity of your company's data and network. They will soon be as ubiquitous as VPN, but the sooner companies adopt these technologies, the safer they are. It's worth also mentioning that network segmenting is a great practice, that will secure a company's most valuable data by segmenting it into a separate network, with tighter firewall rules. Network segmenting is not cheap though as it requires a firewall and the respective switches for each protected segment.