Introduction: The State of the Managed Services Industry
As digital transformation reshapes industries, managed service providers (MSPs) are increasingly tasked with securing access across diverse customer environments. With the rapid adoption of cloud and hybrid infrastructures, MSPs face the challenge of protecting client data while managing a variety of IT resources, from on-premises systems to multi-cloud setups. Traditionally, MSPs have relied on B2B VPNs (Business-to-Business Virtual Private Networks) as the go-to solution for secure remote access. However, the cybersecurity landscape demands a more advanced approach—one that supports zero-trust principles, increases scalability, and reduces operational complexity.
With NetFoundry’s AppNets, MSPs can transition from traditional B2B VPNs to a modern, session-specific zero trust connectivity model. AppNets eliminate network connections, removing traditional attack pathways and embedding security directly into each session. This white paper explores how AppNets provide a robust alternative to B2B VPNs for MSPs managing complex, multi-network environments.
Secure Access Revolution
VPNs: The Limits
Challenges with B2B VPNs in Managed Services
B2B VPNs have served as the backbone of secure access for MSPs. Yet, as digital demands grow, VPNs present challenges that impede their ability to support the modern security needs of MSPs:
- Security Vulnerabilities: VPNs operate on perimeter-based models, often granting broad network access. This allows lateral movement, increasing exposure to cyber threats. NetFoundry’s AppNets revolutionize this by eliminating the network connection entirely—attackers can’t exploit what they can’t reach.
- Operational Complexity: Configuring VPNs across multiple clients requires managing IP allow lists, firewall rules, and individual VPN connections. AppNets replace these with outbound-only, zero-trust microsegmentation, significantly reducing administrative burden by simplifying connectivity across environments.
- Performance Bottlenecks: VPNs use point-to-point connections that can become bottlenecks, impacting performance and user experience. AppNets, by contrast, provide a full-mesh overlay network with end-to-end control, minimizing latency and maintaining high-performance connectivity, even under heavy loads.
- Compliance and Audit Limitations: Regulatory demands like GDPR and HIPAA require granular access control and audit trails. B2B VPNs fall short here, as they lack session-specific controls. AppNets provide session-level permissions and detailed logging, enhancing MSPs’ ability to maintain compliance.
What NetFoundry’s AppNets Offer
NetFoundry’s AppNets offer an advanced, zero-trust approach to secure connectivity that eliminates network connections, enabling MSPs to provide secure, reliable access in multi-cloud and on-premises client environments. An AppNet is a software-defined segment of a NetFoundry overlay network dedicated to a specific application with access defined by a unique set of Identities, Services, and Policies. In the zero trust realm, this is called microsegmentation. AppNets fundamentally rethink network security by connecting specific sessions, not networks, effectively shielding client assets.
Zero Trust Microsegmentation
AppNets use identity-based, session-specific access, ensuring only authorized users or devices can connect. This zero-trust microsegmentation drastically reduces the attack surface by eliminating inbound network ports.
Software-Defined Connectivity
AppNets require no hardware dependencies, making them scalable and easily manageable as software. This software-only model lets MSPs deploy secure networking without physical infrastructure, cutting costs and simplifying operations.
One-Way Network Architecture
AppNet endpoints initiate outbound-only connections, which keeps inbound ports closed. This one-way model acts like a data diode, allowing secure bidirectional data flows without exposing the network.
Programmable and Flexible
With APIs and SDKs, AppNets fit seamlessly into DevOps and CI/CD workflows, giving MSPs the flexibility to customize connectivity and meet unique client requirements.
How NetFoundry Works
Zero Trust Connectivity with End-to-End Encryption & AppNets
MSP Advantage Unlocked
Why MSPs Should Replace Traditional B2B VPNs with AppNets
For MSPs, NetFoundry’s AppNets provide a clear advantage over B2B VPNs in terms of security, efficiency, and scalability:
- Eliminated Security Risks: Unlike VPNs, which grant broad network access, AppNets use session-specific connectivity. This prevents lateral movement and protects sensitive data, even if credentials are compromised. By removing traditional network connections, AppNets address the root cause of many cyberattacks.
- Reduced Operational Complexity and Cost: With AppNets, MSPs avoid complex configurations associated with VPNs. AppNets are easy to manage via software, reducing overhead and freeing resources. By replacing hardware and bolted-on security measures with secure, software-defined connectivity, MSPs improve efficiency and lower costs.
- Improved Performance and Scalability: Built for high-performance applications, AppNets provide dedicated overlay networks that can adapt to multi-cloud and on-premises environments. With a full-mesh, self-healing design, AppNets ensure optimal data routing, performance, and availability.
- Flexibility and Rapid Deployment: AppNets are versatile, supporting a variety of endpoints—IoT devices, servers, OT systems, firewalls, and more. They can be spun up in minutes and managed centrally, providing MSPs with the agility to quickly address client needs without network dependencies.
How AppNets Work – Design Principles
NetFoundry’s AppNets are built on three core principles that address MSPs’ needs for simplicity, security, and reliability:
- Simplicity: AppNets are designed to be easy for authorized users to access and simple for administrators to manage. Users range from people to OT devices, and AppNets integrate seamlessly into diverse IT ecosystems.
- Security by Design: AppNets eliminate network connections, embedding security into each session rather than trying to secure the network perimeter. This approach supports granular controls and ensures only authorized sessions gain access.
- Reliability and Performance: AppNets operate on NetFoundry’s zero-trust overlay mesh, providing end-to-end encryption, self-healing capabilities, and optimal routing. This network control enables AppNets to deliver high-performance connectivity while minimizing latency.
Core Principles Empowered
AppNets Are Reliable, Resilient, and Performant
AppNets provide a dedicated overlay network that connects authorized sessions directly, bypassing the limitations of B2B VPNs. This architecture offers several advantages for MSPs:
Self-Healing
The NetFoundry Fabric dynamically routes data through optimal paths, leveraging the world’s best tier-one backbones for high-speed, resilient connectivity.
Comprehensive Visibility and Control
By combining SD-WAN and ZTNA principles, AppNets give MSPs deep visibility into application- and network-level telemetry. This holistic view improves diagnostics, monitoring, and compliance tracking.
Zero Trust Overlay SDNs
Zero Trust Connectivity with End-to-End Encryption & AppNets
Centrally Manage All Your Client Networks
NetFoundry empowers MSPs to centrally manage all client networks and AppNets seamlessly through the NetFoundry Console. This unified interface allows MSPs to control connectivity, enforce security policies, and monitor network performance across diverse client environments from a single, centralized platform. With real-time visibility and detailed telemetry, MSPs can proactively manage network configurations, ensure compliance, and instantly scale secure connections without needing complex VPN configurations or hardware. The console’s intuitive design and automation capabilities streamline operations, enabling MSPs to deliver secure, zero-trust connectivity efficiently and flexibly for each client’s unique needs.
The NetFoundry Console is a comprehensive management and orchestration platform designed to simplify the deployment and administration of secure, high-performance overlay networks. Key features include:
Network Configuration: Set up and manage NetFoundry networks, including the creation and oversight of endpoints, edge routers, and AppNets.
Identity Management: Administer identities and access policies to enforce zero-trust security principles, encompassing the creation of identities, role assignments, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) configurations.
Service Policies: Define and manage service policies that dictate how services are accessed within the network, ensuring secure and controlled connectivity.
Monitoring and Visibility: Monitor network performance and health through real-time metrics and status updates, providing insights into network activity and facilitating issue troubleshooting.
Automated Deployment: Rapidly deploy secure, application-specific networks (AppNets) across cloud environments using pre-built integrations with platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
Customization and Branding: Tailor the console with organizational branding, including vanity URLs and logos, to maintain a consistent brand identity within the management interface.
Security and Compliance: Implement zero-trust principles with features like identity-based microsegmentation, end-to-end encryption, and continuous authentication to enhance security and compliance.
Integration with DevOps Tools: Support integration with DevOps tools such as Jenkins, Ansible, Terraform, and CloudFormation, enabling automated deployment and management of network resources within CI/CD pipelines.
Centralized Network Control
Elevate Your Network
Conclusion: Embracing a New Standard for MSP Security and Connectivity
For MSPs managing complex client environments, traditional B2B VPNs struggle to meet today’s security, performance, and compliance demands. NetFoundry’s AppNets offer a future-proof alternative, replacing network connections with session-specific connectivity that reduces the attack surface and improves operational efficiency. AppNets enable MSPs to deliver secure, flexible, and high-performance connectivity, positioning them to lead in a perimeterless future where secure, resilient data flow is paramount.
By adopting AppNets, MSPs can elevate their security posture, simplify management, and deliver a seamless client experience, paving the way for a new era of secure, software-defined networking.
