Comcast & Aruba’s Partnership Proves VPN Is Not Dead Yet

Comcast and Aruba Networks have joined forces for a new VPN service for secure remote work connectivity. Though VPNs compete with other next-gen remote access technologies such as secure access service edge (SASE), the tech heavyweights are throwing their weight behind the cloud-managed, enterprise-grade VPN solution for organizations looking to expand the remote work environments.

Comcast Business and HPE’s Aruba Networks have inked a partnership to deliver a new virtual private network (VPN) solution built for today’s distributed workforce. The VPN solution provides safe and secure access to the corporate network and application resources.

IT leaders have realized that security issues aren’t just technical roadblocks but can also impact business continuity and agility. John Burke, Principal Analyst, Nemertes Research, said, “The workplace as we knew it changed quickly, dramatically, and permanently in 2020 – and gone are the days where remote employees can serve as a blind spot for IT departments. Now that the home office is the office, IT must ensure applications and connectivity are secure and performing at the same level as in-office services – without that, there will be major ramifications and increased business risk.”

Called Comcast Business Teleworker VPN, the new solution leverages Comcast Business’s Teleworker Broadband solution. This means the VPN will have a dedicated connection to access business systems, applications, and files, freeing up the employee’s home network bandwidth.  It also leverages Aruba edge services platformOpens a new window (ESP), making it a centrally managed remote access VPN solution.

The centralized cloud management is enabled via Aruba Central’s single cloud console.  When this is clubbed with Comcast’s Managed VPN Aggregator service, it can support several devices such as laptops, desktops, VoIP phones, printers, etc. Besides delivering a high level of mobility to employees, Comcast Business Teleworker VPN is also designed to reduce the attack surface.

See Also: Pandemic and the VPN Industry: Boom Now, Bust Later?

Michael Dickman, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Aruba said, “Aruba ESP delivers on both fronts with secure policy-driven access to the full spectrum of corporate services, in a form factor perfect for home that is simple to use with plug-and-play installation.”

With the COVID-19 cases still surging, it is unlikely that we will see a rush back to the office soon. Meanwhile, enterprise security is being tested more than ever in the current environment as the pandemic accelerates the trend toward the borderless enterprise. To address these challenges, companies need secure remote connectivity technologies.

“Though the number of people working partially or fully remote has been on the rise for years now, the pandemic has truly sent this trend into hyperdrive,” said Christian Nascimento, Vice President of Product Management, Comcast Business.

According to a study by Nemertes ResearchOpens a new window , 70% or organizations plan to extend WFH even after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. In spite of this, 30% are struggling to set up, define security policies and manage remote connections.

This is the second area where Comcast-Aruba VPN solution can shine. In addition to providing secure access to corporate resources, the VPN solution streamlines the job of the IT department through its cloud-driven approach to accessibility management.

Nascimento adds, “Comcast Business Teleworker VPN enables enterprises to reimagine the work from home experience for both employer and employee alike, all while maintaining the security, performance and management they enjoy in-office. This new solution is just one more example of how we are helping businesses be more agile in response to the changing needs of today’s rapidly evolving workforce.”

In distributed environments, organizations are struggling to gain unified security across applications, on-premises resource, devices and infrastructure. VPN challenger secure access service edge (SASE) offerings help organizations achieve consistent security because they integrate complementary technologies like secure web gateways (SWGs), CASBs, and zero trust network access (ZTNA), Bitglass’s CTO & co-founder Anurag Kahol Opens a new window told Toolbox. Opens a new window

“Comprehensive, integrated protections are the ideal way to keep companies safe. Fortunately, managing these solutions from a single dashboard enables consolidated ease of management, and replaces a number of disjointed point products,” he added.

Given that decentralized environments are making security increasingly complex, secure remote access technologies like VPN and SASE can help mitigate the risks of malware and data leakages.

Let us know if you liked this news on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We would love to hear from you!