Securing operational technology (OT) connectivity is a multipronged challenge. Aging legacy hardware demands costly upkeep and stifles the agility needed for modern threats. Interconnected edge networks strain under the weight of complex routing and overlapping IP addresses. Meanwhile, increasingly sophisticated attacks target OT systems, exposing vulnerabilities that traditional defenses simply cannot address. In fact, Gartner predicts that by 2025 cyber attackers will have weaponized OT environments to successfully harm or kill human beings. The stakes couldn’t be higher for organizations looking to safeguard edge networks.
To address these complexities, ZEDEDA and OpenVPN have partnered to deliver a robust solution that simplifies edge network connectivity and security at scale. The combined offering integrates essential features like content filtering, intrusion detection, and intrusion prevention, empowering organizations to seamlessly deploy and manage a zero trust secure overlay network and streamline the process of securing distributed edge environments.
Understanding the combined OpenVPN and ZEDEDA solution
OpenVPN’s expertise in secure network access, combined with ZEDEDA’s focus on simplified edge orchestration and management deliver a powerful, comprehensive edge security solution.
OpenVPN is a well-established provider of secure network access solutions with nearly 20,000 business customers. OpenVPN empowers organizations to safeguard their assets with a dynamic, cost-effective, and scalable solution. CloudConnexa, OpenVPN’s cloud-delivered service, enables rapid and effortless connection between edge devices, private networks, and application servers. It also provides users secure access to the edge network from anywhere. This is achieved through CloudConnexa’s multi-tenant global network with 30+ Points of Presence (PoP), integrated advanced routing and network security, and identity-based access control. These features collectively drive down costs, secure your business at scale, and deliver a seamless user experience regardless of your team’s size.
ZEDEDA provides an open, distributed, and cloud-native solution designed to simplify the orchestration and management of edge infrastructure. This solution allows for streamlined security and remote management of edge devices and applications, even when operating at a large scale. To achieve this, ZEDEDA’s architecture leverages the power of EVE-OS, an open-source project from the Linux Foundation. EVE-OS delivers a robust framework for identity verification and software attestation, ensuring the trustworthiness of connected devices and the integrity of the entire software stack.
Benefits of the joint OpenVPN and ZEDEDA solution
The joint solution from OpenVPN and ZEDEDA offers a streamlined and cost-effective approach to security, connectivity, and ease of management for edge networks. Here’s a look at some of the key benefits:
- Secure networking/ZTNA: Create a dedicated worldwide private overlay network from the edge to the cloud. Use it for remote access, site-to-site, or inter-device communications.
- CyberShield: Protect remote access with an easy-to-use, customizable IDS/IPS and content filtering feature.
- Application-based domain routing: Domain name awareness combined with sophisticated routing logic helps you define routes to connected networks using domain names.
- Full-mesh topology: Gain immediate access to one direct and multiple indirect routes to your applications and devices connected to any of the other PoPs with Worldwide PoPs fully mesh-connected to each other.
- Device identity and access control: Digital certificates identify devices and provide them with persistent IP addresses. Identity-based access control determines who can access what.
- Point-and-click configuration: Use web-based administration and configuration wizards to quickly, easily, and economically connect private networks, devices, and servers.
- Simplified edge management and orchestration: ZEDEDA provides centralized management and orchestration of edge devices, enabling administrators to remotely configure, monitor, and update hardware and applications.
What customers can expect
OpenVPN’s CloudConnexa service is now available via the ZEDEDA Marketplace. The service leverages the OpenVPN tunneling protocol for robust network access alongside a powerful policy engine and incorporates content filtering and IDS/IPS to establish a secure, easily managed overlay network. Additionally, CloudConnexa’s design aligns with zero trust network access (ZTNA) principles to facilitate the smooth transition from traditional perimeter-based network security.
The OpenVPN and ZEDEDA partnership offers the ability to effortlessly implement zero trust security policies across a single edge node or an entire fleet of devices. The CloudConnexa Connector installs on edge nodes via the ZEDEDA Marketplace in mere minutes. This edge networking solution is ideal for scenarios like:
- Industrial IoT Deployments: Securely connect edge devices, private data centers, and control systems without the risk of unauthorized access.
- Multiple Networks: Simplify the connection of devices across networks, even when dealing with overlapping IP addresses. This is particularly beneficial for complex network setups or multi-site organizations.
- Persistent IP Addressing for IoT Devices: Enjoy the ability to remotely access and manage your devices using fixed IP addresses, streamlining device management.
To learn more about how the joint solution from ZEDEDA and OpenVPN can solve your edge infrastructure security challenges, read the solution brief or visit the partner page.
