For years, cybersecurity teams treated SSL-VPN vulnerabilities as a maintenance problem.
Patch the appliance.
Update the firmware.
Rotate credentials.
Move on.
But in June 2024, the conversation shifted in a significant way. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued these alerts:
June 2024: CISA and allied agencies cite 22+ Known Exploited Vulnerabilities in VPNs and formally recommend migration to modern alternatives.
September 2025: CISA issues Emergency Directive 25-03, mandating immediate action on Cisco ASA devices after zero-days enable firmware-level persistent malware. SonicWall deactivates its entire SMA 100 appliance line.
April 2026: CISA warns that even patched devices may still be compromised after attackers develop a persistence mechanism that survives remediation.
These are more than just good ideas.
It signals a growing recognition across the cybersecurity industry that traditional VPN architectures are becoming increasingly difficult to secure in today’s threat environment.
Why Traditional VPNs Are Under Pressure
Traditional SSL-VPNs were designed during a very different era of IT.
Once users were authenticated successfully, they were often granted broad access to the internal network. At the time, that model made sense. But over the years, VPN appliances also became highly exposed internet-facing systems and attractive targets for attackers.
Today, ransomware groups, cybercriminal organizations, and advanced threat actors routinely target VPN infrastructure because it can provide a direct path into corporate environments.
CISA’s advisory referenced more than 22 known exploited vulnerabilities tied to VPN products from major vendors across the industry.
And the issue is not isolated to a single platform.
Fortinet, SonicWall, Ivanti, and Cisco have all faced serious VPN-related security incidents over the past several years, including vulnerabilities tied to remote code execution, credential theft, session hijacking, and persistent compromise.
The concern is no longer simply whether organizations are patching quickly enough.
It is that traditional VPN appliances have increasingly become high-value targets sitting directly on the edge of the network.
Why Zero Trust Is Gaining Momentum
This is one of the reasons Zero Trust architectures have gained so much momentum.
Instead of placing users directly onto the network after authentication, Zero Trust Network Access limits users to only the specific applications and resources they are authorized to access.
Access becomes more granular, segmented, and continuously verified.
That approach can significantly reduce risk during a breach.
If a traditional VPN account is compromised, attackers may gain broad visibility into internal systems. In a properly implemented ZTNA environment, access is more limited by design.
This does not eliminate risk, but it can greatly reduce the impact of a compromised account or device.
The Practical Challenge for SMBs
For many SMBs and MSPs, however, the challenge is not understanding the value of Zero Trust.
The challenge is getting there.
Most organizations cannot completely replace their remote access infrastructure overnight. Businesses still need employees, contractors, and support teams to connect securely every day. Full Zero Trust migrations can take time, planning, and operational changes that smaller IT teams may struggle to absorb all at once.
That is why transition strategies matter.
Organizations need ways to improve security now while building toward a longer-term Zero Trust model over time.
A More Practical Glide Path
At Private Communications, we believe organizations need a practical path forward rather than a disruptive all-or-nothing migration.
Remote WorkForce Enhanced VPN (EVPN) helps organizations strengthen remote access security immediately while also creating a smoother operational transition toward ZTNA when the organization is ready.
Instead of forcing businesses to redesign everything at once, organizations can gradually evolve policies, applications, and access controls over time.
For SMBs and MSPs, that flexibility is important.
The shift toward Zero Trust is happening across the industry, but most organizations still need practical, manageable ways to get there.
The Future of Remote Access
Remote access is not going away.
But the traditional VPN perimeter is becoming harder to defend as attackers continue focusing heavily on internet-facing infrastructure.
That is why the June 2024 advisory matters so much.
The message from CISA and other cybersecurity agencies was not simply “patch faster.”
It is time for organizations to urgently begin planning for what comes next.