The Unpatchable VPN Flaw: How to Protect Your Organization
Why use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
The Growing danger of VPN
Here is what CSO Online (referenced at the end of this article), says about this unpatchable VPN flaw: Given that a VPN is solely an encrypted tunnel and provides no security on either end, they are a popular means for attackers to backdoor an environment. Malware planted on the machine of any VPN user can piggyback on an infected file and safely ride the VPN to the enterprise’s broader network. “VPNs aren’t necessarily security tools. It’s a connectivity tool” that IT departments have “bolted on and tried to patch things up,” said Dani Cronce, a senior security consultant at Leviathan and one of the report’s authors. “Think of it as a perception issue, with some marketing around it.” Noah Beddome, Leviathan’s CISO in residence, said that CISOs need to remember the origin of VPNs. “VPN was never supposed to be a security solution — VPNs were never designed for that,” he said.
For organizations using RDP over VPN, TruGrid SecureRDP eliminates this VPN flaw. TruGrid SecureRDP does not use VPN encapsulation for encryption. TruGrid uses modern TLS-encrypted tunnels specifically for Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) traffic. The remote user is never placed “inside” the corporate network; only RDP traffic is tunneled. TruGrid operates at the application (RDP) level rather than establishing a full network-level tunnel like a VPN.
Why TruGrid SecureRDP is great for RDP Security
TruGrid SecureRDP is a cloud-based solution designed to make Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections both seamless and secure. TruGrid adheres to CISA Secure-by-Design principles by prioritizing the security of customers as a core business requirement. TruGrid uses a combination of strongly encrypted TLS tunnels and zero-trust architecture to protect remote desktop sessions. TruGrid SecureRDP simplifies and secures remote access to Windows Desktops & Apps without VPN or firewall exposure. Here are some of the key reasons why TruGrid Security stands out for RDP security:
No VPN Required
- Many organizations rely on VPNs to secure remote access, but VPNs can be complex to manage and introduce network overhead. Moreover, as shown in this blog and other breach reports, VPN can broaden the attack surface.
- TruGrid establishes direct, encrypted connections to corporate desktops or servers, removing the need to give full network access via a VPN.
Eliminate Open RDP Ports over the Internet or VPN
- Traditional RDP setups often leave ports (like 3389) exposed to the internet or VPN, which can be easily probed and attacked.
- TruGrid provides a secure tunnel for RDP sessions, removing the need to open those ports on firewalls or forward them through NAT.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Cybercriminals often gain access through compromised credentials.
- TruGrid enforces MFA at every login, requiring an additional verification factor beyond a password to drastically reduce unauthorized access.
End-to-End Encryption
- TruGrid operates at the application layer. All RDP traffic is encrypted and routed through TruGrid’s Cloud Shield (TruGrid secure gateways).
- This reduces the risk of eavesdropping or session hijacking, even on less-trusted networks.
Cloud-Based Management
- TruGrid is a SaaS solution, meaning there’s no complex on-premises gateway or appliance to configure.
- Administrators can set up, manage user access, and monitor connections from a centralized cloud portal.
Zero-Trust Approach
- TruGrid integrates with Microsoft Entra ID and on-premises Active Directory environments.
- Administrators can leverage TruGrid default and automatically-enabled zero-trust policies, or leverage Active Directory GPO, Entra ID conditional access, user restrictions, and time-based access to implement a zero-trust security model.
Ease of Deployment
- TruGrid’s lightweight Desktop Connectors and Agent are quick to install on target systems.
- Users can securely connect via a web browser or TruGrid’s desktop/mobile client, streamlining remote access even for non-technical staff.
Scalable & Cost-Effective
- TruGrid is subscription-based and hosted in the cloud, and companies can scale up or down as needed.
- TruGrid reduces infrastructure overhead, maintenance, and support costs compared to other solutions.
Continuous Security Monitoring & Compliance
- TruGrid regularly updates its platform to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities.
- TruGrid provides logging and reporting features, giving security teams insight into remote access activity.
- With centralized management and logging, TruGrid can help organizations meet compliance requirements (e.g., HIPAA, PCI-DSS, etc.) by offering clear visibility into who accessed which systems—and when.
Conclusion
TruGrid is great for RDP security because it wraps traditional RDP connections in a modern, zero-trust, fully encrypted framework. By eliminating open ports, enforcing MFA, and offering centralized cloud management, TruGrid significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and simplifies remote desktop administration.
