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In Kerr County, Texas, Thad Heartfield is leading nearly 100 volunteers searching for flood victims. For him, this mission is personal. His son and three of his son's friends disappeared in the flood.

(Image credit: Jim Vondruska)

On Tuesday, scientists held an event organized by House Democrats in which they stood in front of posters outlining their work — and the federal cuts that now threaten it.

(Image credit: Scott Neuman)

With remote work here to stay, cloud tools becoming everyday essentials, and cyber threats constantly evolving, companies are rethinking how they keep their systems and data safe. It’s not just about locking the doors anymore, it's about making sure the right people get access to the right things, without leaving the whole network exposed.

Two of the most talked-about options? Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP). Both are designed to keep remote access safe, but they go about it in very different ways.

So, is SDP the better choice? Well, it’s not as easy as saying one is better than the other. It really depends on what your organization looks like. How big is your team? How complicated are your systems? And, what kind of security challenges are you facing? There’s no magic, one-size-fits-all answer but once you understand how VPNs and SDP work differently, it gets a whole lot easier to figure out what’s right for you.

VPNs vs. SDP – What’s the Difference?

Historically, the traditional approach has been VPN, which works by creating an encrypted tunnel between a user’s device and the network, essentially opening the door to the entire network once connected. It’s a simple, familiar setup - especially for IT teams. Which is, by the way, why VPNs are still a go-to for many small and mid-sized businesses.

The modern approach is SDP, which takes a different route. It’s built on the idea of Zero Trust, meaning it doesn’t automatically trust anyone. Instead, users have to prove who they are before getting in. And even then, they’re only allowed to access specific apps or services, not the whole network. This “only what you need” model reduces the risk of cyberattacks and gives businesses tighter control over access.

Key Advantages of SDP

1. Granular Access Control - Unlike traditional VPNs, which often grant broad access to a network, SDP limits users to just the resources they need. This minimizes risk and enforces stronger access policies.

2. Enhanced Security with Zero Trust - Modern SDP follows a "verify first, connect later" model. Every user and device must be authenticated before gaining access which is ideal for organizations focused on strengthening cybersecurity postures.

3. Scalability - SDP is built to handle a crowd. Whether you’ve got a few hundred users or a few thousand logging in at once, it keeps things running smoothly without slowing down. That makes it a great fit for bigger companies; or any organization that’s growing fast and needs remote access to keep up.

4. No Physical Hardware Required - No bulky hardware needed. SDP runs on software and plays nicely with the cloud. That means no racks of equipment to manage, no big upfront hardware investments, and a lot less hassle for IT teams. It’s a lighter, more flexible way to stay secure without being tied down to on-prem gear.

5. Reduced Latency - The best SDP solutions keep things snappy by cutting out the middleman. Instead of sending users through a central gateway, it connects them straight to the apps they need. That means faster performance, fewer slowdowns, and a smoother experience overall, especially when teams are spread out across different locations.

Considerations and Challenges

While SDP offers significant benefits, nothing’s perfect:

1. Learning Curve - Switching to SDP can take some getting used to, especially for teams who’ve been relying on traditional VPNs for years. It asks a bit more in terms of understanding how your network is built and how to fine-tune security policies. It’s not rocket science, but there is a bit of a learning curve at the start.

2. Upfront Cost - For smaller setups, SDP might come with a bigger price tag up front or require licensing that feels steeper than the off-the-shelf VPNs everyone’s used to. But many find that the long-term benefits are worth the early investment.

3. Interoperability - If you’re running older systems or legacy apps, getting SDP to play nicely with everything might take some extra effort. A little configuration and testing may be needed to make sure everything clicks.

When to Choose SDP Over VPNs, and Why

1. Cloud-first environments

If your team relies on cloud-native or SaaS apps, SDP’s app-focused security model is a natural fit. It lets users securely connect to just the specific cloud resources they need, without opening up your whole network to potential risks. This kind of targeted access works especially well in today’s fast-moving, spread-out cloud environments where flexibility and control are key.

2. IoT security

SDP allows highly specific, secure connections to IoT devices that typically require limited access. Rather than placing these often-vulnerable devices on the broader network, SDP ensures that only authorized users and systems can connect, reducing potential attack vectors.

3. High-security industries

Sectors like finance, government, and healthcare operate under strict regulatory and security requirements. SDP’s Zero Trust model—which authenticates and authorizes users before access is granted—offers the fine-grained control and robust protection needed to meet compliance and data security standards.

4. Large, distributed teams

SDP is built to grow with you. Whether you’ve got a handful of remote workers or thousands of employees logging in from around the world, it keeps things running smoothly. No slowdowns, no traffic jams, just fast, secure access to what your team needs, without the bottlenecks that can bog down traditional VPNs.

When VPNs Might Still Be the Right Fit

1. Small teams and simple needs - VPNs are easier to deploy and manage for straightforward use cases.

2. Familiar infrastructure - Many organizations already have VPNs baked into their firewall software or endpoint tools. For some, sticking with what’s familiar, and integrated, makes sense.

3. Budget Is the primary concern - VPNs remain a cost-effective option, especially where advanced access controls or Zero Trust frameworks aren’t priorities (yet).

Parting Thoughts

SDP isn’t necessarily better than VPNs, it’s just different and more modern, so to speak. For organizations seeking stronger security, granular access controls, and future-ready infrastructure, SDP offers clear advantages. But for others, especially those with smaller footprints or simpler requirements, VPNs may still do the job just fine.

Ultimately, the best solution depends on your organization’s size, security needs, infrastructure, and how much control and visibility you require over your network.

We list the best identity management software.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

• Foundation season 3 will feature a Cleonic trio who are more familial than past groups
• This season's iterations of Dawn, Day, and Dusk respect and love each other
• The triumvirate will still fall out over what to do amid the Empire's diminishing influence on the galaxy

Foundation season 3 will show you a side of the Empire's three rulers that you haven't seen before.

That's the verdict of Lee Pace, Cassian Bilton, and Terrance Mann, who portray the aforementioned trio, i.e. Brother Day, Brother Dawn, and Brother Dusk, in Apple's space opera.

In Foundation's first two seasons, the three characters, who are all clones of the Imperium's first autocrat Cleon I, never saw eye-to-eye. Indeed, despite the fact they jointly lauded it over vast swathes of the galaxy, each clone was as self-serving as their fellow rulers were.

The Apple TV+ show's third installment, though, will depict a wildly different perspective on the weird granddad-father-son yet brotherly dynamic (hey, I did say it was weird!) that exists between this season's Cleonic trio. With each clone's genetic makeup becoming more unique with every generation that passes – read more about that in my Foundation season 1 episode 9 recap – there's a tenderness to their familial bond that wasn't there in prior seasons.

Dawn (left), Day (center), and Dusk (right) have got a lot to think about in season 3 (Image credit: Apple TV+)

"It's entirely universal in that you have a shorthand with your family," Bilton told me of the trio's collective dynamic. "They understand you in a way that you're not otherwise understood.

"With the Cleons, they're going through something no one else understands. Maybe Demerzel [played by Laura Birn] understands it in a way that she sees it from a distance, but she's not going through the experience of being a clone. So, I think they have a deep love, more so than before, for each other.

"There's this gorgeous scene that we shot where the three of us sit together for the first time in season 3," Bilton continued. "I won't say why, but we convene to have a drink and a laugh. When it comes to the ease of that, we're very lucky as cast members that we get on so well off-camera. We just do it on camera this time."

The Cleonic trio's major domo Demerzel will continue attempting to maintain the peace between them (Image credit: Apple TV+)

"There's a rare sense of humanity," Mann added. "We're emperors but we're also clones, so we're constantly trying to grab and hold onto what we believe to be human to try and make us feel important [to someone] and more alive than just existing as the kings of this faltering empire."

That's not to say that Dawn, Day, and Dusk won't butt heads throughout one of the best Apple TV+ shows' third installment. Whether it's Brother Day's The Big Lebowski-inspired indifference to actually ruling the galaxy or another issue, this season's Cleons are still prone to making decisions for selfish means, even if it's to the detriment of their fellow clones.

"As different as they are persona-wise, they're still the same, which is the key to understanding them," Pace mused. "They don't have the intelligence of Hari Seldon or Gaal Dornick. They don't possess the cerebral capacity of Demerzel. What they have is a gut instinct that tells them 'this is how we or I survive', so they're very wily in that regard."

How do you think the Cleons' individual and collective stories will play out this season? Let me know in the comments. Ahead of its July 11 debut on one of the world's best streaming services, see what I thought of its first five episodes by reading my Foundation season 3 review, too.

You might also like

• 'She's ready to take this on': Foundation star Lou Llobell teases Gaal Dornick's all-consuming quest to stop The Mule in the Apple TV+ show's third season
• 'He needs to be a big threat': Foundation season 3 star Pilou Asbaek reveals how The Mule differs from his book series counterpart
• 'We're the last to find out': Foundation stars don't know if it'll return for season 4

The way we work has changed. But despite flexible working now being offered by the majority of UK employers, many businesses are burdened by fragmented tools. Employees are forced to juggle multiple apps and platforms to manage calls, messages, and meetings. This inefficiency stalls productivity and results in poor user experience, leaving 75% of businesses actively seeking to reduce the number of applications they use.

In today's fast-paced, hybrid work environment, businesses need collaboration tools that are secure, scalable, and able to work across any device and location. Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) is about making this a reality. Consolidating voice, video, messaging, and collaboration tools into a single, cloud-driven platform, it streamlines operations and creates a more efficient workflow. It has become a driver of the digital workforce, and the market is set to reach over 131 million global users by 2028, according to Cavell.

Mobility at the heart

Mobility is rapidly shaping the future of communications Today, 57% of workers say smartphones are essential to their jobs and 71% of Microsoft Teams users rely on mobile apps – with over 17 million users depending on the platform’s ‘phone’ feature every month.

In short, mobile integration is no longer a ‘nice to have’. For organizations looking to remain competitive and connected, UCaaS solutions that prioritize mobility are key. These platforms enable users to switch effortlessly between devices, whether they are at a desktop in the office or working remotely.

This is especially vital for industries with mobile workforces - such as healthcare, logistics, or retail - where seamless switching between mobile and desktop isn’t just convenient, it’s critical. Whether it’s a nurse updating electronic health records on the go or a delivery driver needing quick access to customer details, teams need to stay connected and productive, wherever their work takes them.

UCaaS success isn’t just about the software- it’s about the network. A strong, secure, and resilient connectivity foundation is essential. Whether it’s for high-quality voice calls or real-time messaging, everything depends on reliable infrastructure. Businesses need to partner with UCaaS providers who can deliver the robust network support required to enable a mobile, cloud-first workforce.

Keeping it simple

In the age of flexible working, it’s more important than ever that people have access to a simple and accessible communications platform. One which doesn’t require arduous dial-in processes and tenuous connections between multiple parties, or which only supports voice calling – so when you want to send an instant message, you’re back to square one.

UCaaS allows businesses to break down silos between teams and locations. Whether working on a presentation or responding to a customer query, it ensures all communications are accessible from one centralized platform. Being cloud-based means cloud documents are accessible across locations too. Employees with the right expertise can be involved at the right time, overcoming the challenges of disjointed communication channels.

While adopting a new IT or communications system can feel daunting for business leaders, UCaaS is much simpler. Many shy away from new systems because of the perceived complexity involved, but it is often designed with the user in mind, avoiding the friction that comes with traditional communication platforms.

For IT teams, ease of deployment and maintenance is just as important. With digital communication solutions, updates are often handled centrally in the cloud, reducing the need for costly on-site support or downtime. Employees don’t need hours of training to get up to speed either - most platforms mirror the simplicity of consumer apps, allowing teams to focus on their work, not the tools. This simplicity also shortens the time to value for organizations, helping them realize ROI faster and with fewer barriers. At a time when digital transformation fatigue is real, this simplicity can make all the difference.

Work smarter, not harder

Beyond video calls and file sharing, there are advanced features that bring big business benefits. Fraud prevention tools significantly improve security and customer interactions. AI-driven call analytics provide insights that allow businesses to improve decision-making, and capabilities like streamlined call management unlock seamless customer experience for businesses, too.

For example, call queues and interactive voice response services direct inbound calls efficiently, in turn reducing wait times and ensuring no customer inquiry goes unanswered. This efficiency can have a direct impact on a company’s bottom line. Customers who experience quick, responsive service are more likely to return – and to spend more. It’s a win-win.

Amidst rising economic pressures and the analogue switch-off, businesses need to increase their margins. UCaaS enables this by streamlining operations, cutting complexity, eliminating the need for redundant lines and multiple devices, and importantly, reducing costs.

As organizations race through periods of transition, seamless, integrated communication enables them to thrive. Ultimately, time is a business leader’s most valuable asset. The ability to adapt quickly, innovate continuously, and communicate seamlessly offers a competitive advantage – one that UCaaS provides.

We list the best business phone systems.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

The State Department is warning U.S. diplomats of attempts to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio and possibly other officials using technology driven by artificial intelligence.

(Image credit: Mark Schiefelbein)