Replace legacy vulnerable VPN infrastructure with secure, identity-based access — without disrupting users, applications or business operations.
Most organisations cannot replace their VPN overnight. Hararei helps you assess your existing environment, prioritise applications, support legacy systems, and progressively reduce dependence on traditional VPN infrastructure without disrupting users or business operations.
Hararei doesn't start by asking which ZTNA product you want to buy. We start by understanding how your users work, how your applications communicate, and how your business can transition away from traditional VPNs with the least operational risk.
Wherever you are on your journey to a more secure and agile environment, Hararei can help with your transition
Replacing a legacy VPN appliance is relatively straightforward. Replacing the way users, applications and systems interact with your network is not.
Most organisations operate a hybrid environment of cloud services, private applications, legacy client/server systems, third-party integrations, IoT devices and operational technology. Many of these systems were never designed for identity-based access and continue to depend on traditional network connectivity.
A successful VPN replacement strategy must balance improved security with business continuity. Users, partners and critical applications need uninterrupted access, while legacy systems often require a phased approach before they can be migrated to modern Zero Trust architectures.
For most organisations, the goal is not to eliminate VPN overnight. It is to progressively reduce reliance on network-based access, minimise attack surface, and adopt Zero Trust through a practical, low-risk migration strategy.
Every organisation starts from a different place. Some are beginning to evaluate Zero Trust, while others have already deployed identity-based access for parts of their environment. The most successful programmes follow a phased approach, progressively reducing reliance on traditional VPNs while supporting legacy applications, critical business systems and operational requirements throughout the transition.
| Stage | Typical Environment | Hararei Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Legacy Remote Access | VPN for everyone | Assessment and visibility |
| 2. Hybrid Access | VPN and ZTNA coexist | Application prioritisation |
| 3. Zero Trust Adoption | Identity-based access for most users | Policy refinement and optimisation |
| 4. VPN Exception Model | VPN retained only for edge cases | Legacy application support |
| 5. Zero Trust Enterprise | VPN largely retired | Continuous improvement |
The VPN Replacement Journey
Every organisation's journey is different, but successful VPN replacement programmes typically follow a structured, phased approach. Hararei works alongside your team to reduce risk, minimise disruption and progressively transition from traditional VPNs to a modern Zero Trust architecture.
Understand your current VPN environment and application dependencies.
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Review users, applications and dependencies to establish a clear migration baseline.
Select the applications and users best suited for early migration.
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Focus on low-risk, high-value migrations that deliver early business benefits.
Create a practical Zero Trust architecture for your organisation.
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Define identity, policies and application access while supporting legacy systems.
Deploy the new platform alongside your existing VPN environment.
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Validate policies, authentication and connectivity before wider rollout.
Transition users and applications through a phased migration programme.
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Move workloads in controlled stages while maintaining business continuity.
Continuously strengthen your Zero Trust architecture over time.
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Refine policies, reduce VPN reliance and expand Zero Trust adoption.
A successful VPN replacement programme is more than deploying a new remote access platform. It requires a modern access architecture that strengthens security, improves user experience and supports both cloud-native and legacy applications throughout the migration journey.
Authenticate and authorise users based on identity rather than granting broad network access, ensuring users connect only to the applications they are permitted to use.
Replace network-level connectivity with application-level access, reducing attack surface and limiting opportunities for lateral movement.
Evaluate device identity and security posture before granting access, helping ensure only trusted and compliant endpoints connect to business applications.
Secure access to traditional client/server and internally hosted applications while progressively transitioning towards modern identity-based architectures.
Provide secure access for partners, suppliers and contractors without extending unnecessary network connectivity or increasing operational complexity.
Continuously evaluate user identity, device posture and contextual risk throughout the session, enabling access decisions to adapt as conditions change.
Every organisation has different technical, operational and regulatory requirements. Hararei designs VPN replacement strategies using proven Zero Trust technologies, selecting the platform best suited to your environment rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. Our solutions integrate seamlessly with your existing identity providers, endpoint management platforms, security tools and directory services, allowing you to modernise remote access while protecting previous technology investments.
| Technology | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) | Recommended for organisations seeking a comprehensive Zero Trust Network Access platform with enterprise-scale policy management, application segmentation, continuous trust verification and seamless integration into broader Zero Trust and SASE architectures. Particularly well suited to large enterprises, regulated industries and globally distributed workforces. |
| Twingate | Ideal for organisations looking for a fast, low-complexity migration from traditional VPNs without compromising security. Twingate provides identity-based application access with minimal infrastructure requirements, making it an excellent choice for small and mid-sized enterprises or organisations seeking rapid deployment. |
| HPE Aruba Networking SSE (ZTNA) | Cloud-delivered Security Service Edge with integrated Zero Trust Network Access, designed to replace traditional VPNs while integrating closely with EdgeConnect SD-WAN as part of Aruba's unified SASE architecture. A strong choice for organisations standardising on the Aruba networking portfolio or seeking a single-vendor networking and security platform. |
Hararei's VPN replacement solutions integrate with your existing identity providers, endpoint security platforms and directory services. Where organisations also require on-premises device visibility and policy enforcement, HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass complements Zero Trust by providing Network Access Control for managed, unmanaged and IoT devices, extending Zero Trust principles beyond remote users to the campus and branch network.
Every organisation's path to Zero Trust is different. Whether you're replacing an ageing VPN platform, planning a broader Zero Trust initiative, or simply looking to reduce your remote access attack surface, Hararei can help you develop a practical, low-risk migration strategy.
Our consultants will assess your current environment, identify application and infrastructure dependencies, recommend an appropriate target architecture, and provide a phased roadmap aligned with your business objectives and operational requirements.
Learn more at: Zero Trust Network Access
Contact Us Please contact Hararei for an in-depth discussion on using any of our Cloud or Cybersecurity products or services