Norway Urges Businesses to Ditch SSL VPNs for Enhanced IPsec Security by 2025

Hot Take:

Move over SSL/TLS, there’s a new sheriff in town. Norway’s National Cyber Security Centre is pushing businesses toward IPsec with IKEv2, and it’s like the Wild West of cybersecurity just got a new deputy. But is this new gunslinger all it’s cracked up to be, or are we just trading one bandit for another?

• Norwegian NCSC recommends ditching SSLVPN/WebVPN for IPsec with IKEv2 or 5G broadband by 2025.
• IPsec with IKEv2 offers network level encryption, potentially reducing the attack surface compared to SSL/TLS.
• SSL/TLS VPNs have been criticized for their lack of an open industry standard, leading to numerous security vulnerabilities.
• Despite the push for IPsec, it’s not without its flaws—case in point, the Ivanti VPN vulnerabilities discovered in 2023.
• The best business VPN services already include IPsec with IKEv2 by default, suggesting a market readiness for this transition.

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The Battle of the Protocols:

While SSL VPNs have been the go-to for their convenience, they’re sort of the duct tape solution—handy but not exactly the pinnacle of security. Enter IPsec with IKEv2, which encrypts at the network level, giving hackers a harder time. However, it’s a bit like choosing between a moat and a drawbridge; both have their perks and pitfalls, but ultimately, it’s about keeping the castle secure.

A Flawed Hero:

It seems like every superhero has a weakness, and in the world of VPNs, IPsec is no exception. Despite its strengths, the recent drama with Ivanti’s VPN vulnerabilities shows that no protocol is invulnerable. It’s a reminder that sometimes the armor has chinks, and why the cybersecurity industry must remain vigilant, continuously improving and patching up these technologies.

The Deadline Drama:

The NCSC has set a deadline of 2025 for businesses to make the switch to IPsec with IKEv2 or 5G broadband, which sounds like plenty of time but in IT years, it’s like a sprint. This deadline is creating a Y2K-esque scramble in some quarters, as businesses assess their current infrastructure and grapple with the logistical challenges of such a significant transition.

Choosing the Lesser of Two Evils:

While Norway, along with other cybersecurity heavyweights like the US and UK, are championing IPsec as the lesser of two evils when compared to SSL/TLS, it’s clear that the ideal solution doesn’t yet exist. Each option comes with its own set of compromises, and for now, businesses are caught between choosing the best available rather than the best conceivable.

The Market’s Verdict:

Despite the complexities and potential drawbacks, the response from the market has been broadly positive. Top business VPN providers have already integrated IPsec with IKEv2, suggesting a readiness to adopt this new standard. It’s like the tech version of keeping up with the Joneses, and nobody wants to be the last on the block with outdated security.

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, the shift from SSL/TLS to IPsec with IKEv2 is like a major plot twist in an ongoing thriller. Businesses and cybersecurity experts alike will need to stay tuned, adapt swiftly, and perhaps most importantly, keep their sense of humor about the chaos of change.