Secure Access Solutions: Debunking 6 Common Myths
Secure access solutions get misrepresented a lot, often as outdated, maintenance-heavy, or less secure than a legacy VPN. In reality, modern platforms like Absolute Secure Access are built on Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), FIPS-validated cryptography, and resilient, always-on connectivity, trusted by over 2,500 public safety and first responder organizations worldwide for over two decades. That matters more now, not less: in a 2025 industry survey of 632 IT and security professionals, the large majority said unpatched VPNs put them at risk of ransomware and third-party backdoor attacks, and most are already moving to Zero Trust.
Myth 1: Is Absolute Secure Access Outdated Legacy Technology?
Fact: Absolute Secure Access is a modern Security Service Edge (SSE) solution that includes Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) built for today's security and operational challenges. It is FIPS 140-2 / 140-3 validated, Common Criteria EAL4+ certified, and SOC 2 Type 2 certified, with visibility and enforcement both inside and outside the secure, optimized tunnel, including:
- Zero Trust Policy Enforcement
- Generative AI Threat Analysis
- Robust Endpoint Firewall Security
- Dynamic, Real-time Policy Management
- Real-time Threat Visibility
- Resilient, Intelligent Client
- Comprehensive Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
- Inline CASB
- Endpoint Compliance
Myth 2: Does Secure Access Lack Real Zero Trust Security Benefits?
Fact: Absolute Secure Access is a trusted solution for law enforcement, with state-of-the-art Zero Trust features that protect personnel from sophisticated cyber threats while ensuring always-on connectivity:
- Zero Trust Network Access
- Lateral Movement Prevention
- Multi-factor Authentication
- Multi-faceted, Advanced Threat Protection
- Integrated Data Protection
- Always-on Security
Myth 3: Do Other Secure Access Platforms Deliver More Value?
Fact: Absolute Secure Access delivers unmatched value with a lower total cost of ownership:
- Flexible User and Device Pricing Models
- Accelerated, low-cost deployment and time-to-value
- Reduced Administrative Costs
- Proven ROI
- Vendor Consolidation
Myth 4: Does Secure Access Require Heavy Server and Client Maintenance?
Fact: Absolute Secure Access offers both self-hosted and SaaS deployments, so organizations can choose based on their own operational needs. With the SaaS option, the customer carries no burden for ongoing platform maintenance and operations aren't disrupted. For customers who deploy on-premises, server and client updates and upgrades are quick to deploy. Either way, workers can access applications whenever and wherever they need to.
Myth 5: Do Other Platforms Offer More Seamless Connectivity?
Fact: Absolute Secure Access was designed for mission-critical environments like public safety, where seamless connectivity is non-negotiable:
- Unmatched Resilience
- Purpose-built for Mobility
- Adaptive Network Optimization
- Resilient Network Connection Management
- Highly reliable Application Connectivity, including Session Persistence for Applications and Networks
- Automated Login including Single Sign On
Myth 6: Is CJIS Compliance Easier With Other Secure Access Solutions?
Fact: Absolute Secure Access is a proven solution for helping agencies meet and exceed their state's CJIS compliance requirements with:
- Rich support for multi-factor authentication (MFA) solutions
- Built-In Compliance Monitoring
- Advanced Authentication with FIPS 140-2/-3 validated and Suite B compliant cryptography algorithms
Why Public Sector Organizations Choose Absolute Secure Access
- Security and Reliability You Can Trust - “It Just Works”
- Protect Sensitive Data
- Improve First Responder Mobility
- Tailored Deployment with Set-and-Forget Management
- Proven Outcomes with Less First Responder Disruption
- Reduced Helpdesk Tickets
- Comprehensive Visibility
Case in Point: Absolute Secure Access in State Police
- Challenge: A major city’s police department needed a secure, reliable solution to connect 5,000 officers to CJIS data while maintaining compliance and reducing security risks.
- Solution: Absolute Secure Access delivered seamless, always-on connectivity with advanced Zero Trust principles, real-time endpoint visibility, and compliance tracking.
- Outcome: The agency improved uptime, streamlined compliance processes, and reduced security incidents by 30%.
Trusted by over 2,500 public safety and first responder agencies worldwide, Absolute Secure Access has helped optimize organizations' connectivity, mobility, responsiveness, and efficiency:
“Absolute Secure Access is instrumental in helping IT staff articulate the need for hardware or software changes to management.”
—Albert Gauthier, CIO, Oregon State Police
“We needed to do things differently, so having access to internal core systems via handheld devices was critical. It means having real-time, up-to-date information available to the officers to inform their decision-making on the ground.”
—Matthew Kennerley, Superintendent Cumbria Constabulary
Secure Access vs. Legacy VPN: Why the Shift Matters
The myths above persist partly because VPNs were the default for so long. But the risk calculus has shifted. In the Zscaler ThreatLabz 2025 VPN Risk Report, a survey of 632 IT and security professionals, 92% of organizations said they're concerned that unpatched VPN vulnerabilities expose them to ransomware, 93% worry about backdoor risk from third-party VPN access, and 65% plan to replace their VPN within the year, with 81% adopting or planning to adopt Zero Trust.
Absolute's approach is outlined on the Secure Access platform page and in Secure Remote Work With Zero Trust Access.
