A new research report released by TechTarget’s Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) and OpenVPN challenges the claim that VPN technology is outdated for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). The study, titled Secure Access Technology Trends, examines how SMBs are using secure remote access tools like VPNs and zero trust network access (ZTNA). It also highlights how the United States is leading the way in adopting zero trust strategies.
“Many security vendors keep saying VPNs are dead, but our experience showed otherwise,” said Francis Dinha, CEO of OpenVPN. “This study with ESG helped us prove that VPNs are still widely used, especially as part of zero trust models. The U.S. is showing strong leadership in this space.”
The research surveyed 200 cybersecurity and IT professionals from companies with 20 to 500 employees. Key findings include:
- U.S. respondents were 2.2 times more likely than those in Australia or the UK to be very familiar with zero trust security models.
- U.S. companies were 72% more likely to report fewer security incidents after using zero trust approaches.
- 71% of all participants said they still use VPNs for secure remote access.
- VPNs were 61% more likely to be the preferred solution for securing internet access over other tools.
- Nearly two-thirds of respondents not currently using VPNs said they plan to adopt them within the next 12 to 24 months.
“All businesses have different needs, but every business needs strong protection,” Dinha added. “VPNs remain important, just like ZTNA. OpenVPN is here to help companies of all sizes build the right network security strategies. This report gives IT and security professionals helpful insights for making smart decisions.”
About OpenVPN
OpenVPN offers secure, scalable remote access solutions. Its products—Access Server and CloudConnexa—support modern network security needs, including ZTNA models. Built on the trusted open-source OpenVPN protocol, the company serves over 20,000 business clients and has more than 60 million downloads worldwide.
About TechTarget’s Enterprise Strategy Group
Enterprise Strategy Group is a respected tech research and advisory firm. It helps technology vendors make smart go-to-market decisions through data-driven insights. ESG is part of TechTarget, a global leader in marketing and sales services for enterprise technology companies.
