As businesses adopt cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, the need for secure and reliable remote access for users does not diminish. Hybrid and remote work models demand seamless connectivity to Azure-hosted applications and infrastructure just as they do for on-premises infrastructure. While Microsoft’s built-in Azure VPN service might seem like the obvious choice to deliver remote access, it may not deliver an excellent user experience.
Falling for the Convenience of Azure VPN
For IT teams, defaulting to the built-in Azure VPN service for the cloud is understandably tempting. However, following this path often comes with compromises in performance, particularly when remote users access media-rich applications or collaborate on large files. The issue of frustratingly slow file transfers is a common complaint. The underlying reasons for having issues with the native Azure VPN are complex but often relate to how traditional VPNs are susceptible to internet congestion and how they use security overheads.
In modern business environments, slow and frustrating remote access isn’t just an inconvenience — it impacts team productivity and collaboration. Assuming the built-in Microsoft VPN will consistently deliver the necessary speed and reliability for all use cases can be a choice that leads to extended hassle for IT teams and a poor experience for users.
Cloudbrink HAaaS Delivers an Enhanced Remote Access Experience
Cloudbrink Hybrid Access-as-a-Service (HAaaS) addresses the challenges that come with traditional VPNs, including Microsoft’s Azure VPN. Unlike standard VPNs, HAaaS is designed from the ground up for maximum performance with modern applications and collaboration tools. It doesn’t matter how many users, their locations, or their available bandwidth — Cloudbrink HAaaS delivers an exceptional user experience.
It does this by using a globally distributed network of FAST Edge points of presence (PoPs) located in cloud data centers. These strategically placed PoPs optimize connectivity, particularly over the often-problematic “last mile” of the user’s internet connection. VPNs, with their inherent security overhead, can be vulnerable to packet loss and bandwidth degradation in this last mile. HAaaS is architected to prevent this service degradation without any loss of security.
Performance and Security: You Don’t Have to Choose One Or the Other
Cloudbrink HAaaS delivers high network performance and robust security by combining Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Automated Moving Target Defense (AMTD), and Personal SD-WAN technologies. Third-party testing and analysis show that Cloudbrink typically provides 30 times better network performance than traditional VPNs and significantly increases security and reduces the attack surface.
Final Thoughts
By choosing Cloudbrink HAaaS, organizations enhance the user experience for their remote and hybrid workers. File transfers, video meetings, and demanding cloud applications perform as well as if users were on a local office network. Simultaneously, IT teams benefit from a simplified management model, offloading much of the day-to-day complexity traditionally associated with VPN technologies, including the native Azure VPN offering.
