Norwegian Cyber Security Urges Shift from SSLVPN to IPsec by 2025 Amid Rising Exploits

Hot Take:

Move over SSLVPN, there’s a new sheriff in town! Norway’s NCSC is telling us to ditch the old buggy SSL/TLS for the sleeker, less error-prone IPsec with IKEv2 by 2025. It’s like swapping your old, rickety bicycle for a shiny new electric scooter. But remember folks, even the best scooters have their squeaks!

• The Norwegian NCSC urges ditching SSLVPN/WebVPN for IPsec with IKEv2 by 2025 due to security vulnerabilities.
• Organizations under the ‘Safety Act’ or in critical infrastructure have a tighter deadline, by end of 2024.
• SSLVPN has been under fire with numerous exploits; recent attacks include breaches by notorious hacking groups using zero-day vulnerabilities.
• While IPsec with IKEv2 is recommended, it’s not without flaws — but it’s deemed more secure than SSLVPN.
• If IPsec can’t be implemented, NCSC suggests using 5G broadband as an alternative.

Need to know more?

A Game of Vulnerabilities

SSLVPN might as well stand for “Seriously Susceptible to Lamentable Vulnerabilities Networking.” Over the years, every Tom, Dick, and Hacker has had a go at exploiting SSLVPN flaws. Major manufacturers like Cisco, Fortinet, and SonicWall have been playing whack-a-mole with bugs that various nefarious entities have used to infiltrate everything from Dutch military networks to your Aunt Edna’s recipe blog.

A New Hope: IPsec with IKEv2

Enter IPsec with IKEv2, a protocol that sounds more like a Star Wars droid than a cybersecurity solution. It’s not perfect—no protocol is—but it reduces the attack surface by being less forgiving of configuration errors. It’s like having a picky doorman who won’t let you in if your tie is crooked. This protocol could save a lot of digital headaches if implemented correctly.

The Transition: No, It’s Not a Dance Move

The NCSC isn’t just throwing this change out there without a plan. They’ve laid out a roadmap to IPsecville: reconfigure your existing VPNs, migrate all users and systems, disable the old SSLVPN, and block incoming TLS traffic. Oh, and if your VPN can’t handle IPsec with IKEv2, consider jumping on the 5G broadband wagon. They’ve even suggested interim measures like centralized VPN activity logging and geofencing to keep the digital barbarians at the gates until the migration is complete.

Global Trend or Norwegian Niche?

It’s not just Norway singing the IPsec with IKEv2 tune. The cybersecurity choirs of the USA and UK have also been vocal about its benefits. But as with any global trend, your mileage may vary. Each country has its own digital ecosystem, and what works in Oslo might not fly in Omaha.

Remember, No Protocol is a Silver Bullet

While the shift to IPsec with IKEv2 seems like a solid move, it’s important to remember that no security measure is foolproof. Hackers are inventive, persistent, and they too read the news. As soon as a new security measure becomes standard, they’re working on ways around it. So, while we’re stepping up our game, let’s not get too comfy in our digital security blankets.

In summary, if you’re using SSLVPN, it might be time to start planning your move. The cyber world is evolving, and staying ahead of the curve (and the hackers) requires adapting to more robust security protocols. Just don’t forget to keep an eye out for those pesky vulnerabilities, no matter how secure your new setup might seem!