Look, I’ve been in this game for over 15 years. I’ve cleaned up enough VPN messes to fill a warehouse with decommissioned firewalls—SonicWall, Check Point Software, Ivanti, you name it. And you know what’s funny? Sometimes companies get so obsessed with locking things down that they shoot themselves in the foot. Yes, it’s possible to have a VPN so “secure” that it ends up frustrating users, causing workarounds, and ultimately, creating security gaps instead of closing them.
The Fine Line Between User Experience vs Security
Ever notice how IT managers and security pros often face a tug-of-war: on one side, the need for airtight security, and on the other, employees who just want to get their jobs done without jumping through hoops? It’s like balancing on a razor’s edge. Too little security, and you get breaches, lateral movement by attackers, ransomware—you name it. Too much security, and you wind up with users complaining, calling helpdesk non-stop, or worse, finding sneaky workarounds that defeat your controls.
When “Too Secure” Turns Counterproductive
Take VPNs, for example. The whole point is remote workers can safely access company resources. But when VPN policies are overly restrictive, sessions drop, permissions get overly segmented, and every app feels like it’s locked behind Fort Knox. Employees get frustrated, productivity dips, and the IT team spends more time putting out fires than building defenses.
The Common Culprit: Over-Permissive Rules (Not Just Overly Strict Ones)
This might sound like a paradox, but both extremes—too restrictive and too permissive—can cause real damage. Over-permissive firewall or VPN rules in appliances from vendors like SonicWall or Check Point Software often open avenues for lateral movement, where an attacker compromises one account and then hops from system to system unnoticed.
So while we're on the topic, here’s the real danger most companies overlook:
- Default settings: Many Ivanti products and VPN devices ship with default usernames, passwords, or overly broad network access policies. If left unchanged, these become hacker magnets. ‘Allow all’ firewall rules: Management might get lazy or impatient and configure rules like “allow all traffic from VPN clients.” This cements the illusion of security while throwing the front door wide open. Misconfigured split tunneling: Users send some traffic through the VPN and some directly to the Internet, opening attack vectors.
Real-World Consequences of VPN Misconfigurations
Want some cold, hard facts? Look no further than ransomware outages that could have been prevented with proper VPN configurations. I recall a midsize firm that had all the right security appliances and VPN licenses but let a default policy slide unnoticed. Attackers exploited an over-permissive VPN rule, moved laterally, and encrypted the entire network before anyone noticed.
Incogni and other automated tools can help identify exposed credentials and vulnerabilities before attackers do, but if the VPN setup itself is flawed, protection tools only go so far.
Conflicted IT Managers and Employee Pushback
So what’s the takeaway here? Companies want “military-grade” security but balk the moment users have to jump through too many hoops to log in or access resources. This leads to:
The truth is, security that employees resist is security doomed to fail.
Making Security Usable: Finding the Sweet Spot
The goal should always be making security usable, not just stringent. SonicWall, Ivanti, and Check Point Software offer tools that integrate deep security with good user experience. That means:
- Tailored access: Least privilege access adjusted dynamically per user and device, so employees get what they need without extra barriers. Clear policies: No more “allow all” or default settings—fine-tuned rules that keep lateral movement in check. Education: Regular training so users understand why these measures exist instead of blasting IT for “making life hard.” Regular audits: Using tools like Incogni to scan for risk and adjust policies proactively.
To VPN or Not To VPN?
In today’s zero-trust environment, VPNs are just one piece of the puzzle. Companies are moving toward Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) models that verify every user, device, and session rather than assuming https://cybersecuritynews.com/corporate-vpn-misconfigurations-major-breaches-caused-by-small-errors/ trust inside a perimeter. But hey, basics still matter.
Wrapping It Up
Is it possible to have a VPN that’s too secure for users? Absolutely. When security trumps usability without balance, you create a user experience nightmare that can backfire horribly. The real challenge is avoiding the twin sins of over-permissiveness and rigidity.
If you want your VPN setup—and by extension, your whole network—to be both secure and user-friendly:
Kill default credentials immediately after install. Never settle for blanket “allow all” rules. Use vendors like SonicWall, Ivanti, or Check Point Software wisely, digging into config details. Regularly scan and audit with tools like Incogni. Keep user experience front and center in your security strategy.Otherwise, you’re not protecting your network—you’re just making yourself an easier target under the guise of “too secure.” And that, my friend, is the biggest trap of all.
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