DaaS and VPN buyer's guide
Why this guide matters
Choosing the right DAAS or VPN solution is a critical decision that directly impacts your organization's security, productivity, and business continuity. The stakes are high, with potential consequences ranging from data breaches and operational disruptions to regulatory fines and reputational damage. This guide provides a structured approach to evaluating and implementing these technologies, helping you navigate the complexities and make informed decisions that align with your specific business needs and objectives. By following this guidance, you can minimize risks, optimize performance, and maximize the value of your investment.
What to look for
When evaluating DAAS and VPN solutions, consider factors beyond basic connectivity. Look for robust security features, such as multi-factor authentication and data encryption, to protect sensitive information. Assess the solution's performance and scalability to ensure it can meet the demands of your workforce. Evaluate the ease of management and integration capabilities to streamline IT operations. Finally, consider the vendor's reputation, support services, and long-term viability to ensure a reliable partnership.
Evaluation checklist
- Critical SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certifications
- Critical Documented data breach response plan
- Critical Context-aware access (ZTNA)
- Important Multi-broker support (Citrix, AVD, Omnissa)
- Important Native integration with existing ITSM tools
- Important High availability and disaster recovery capabilities
- Nice-to-have AI-powered image optimization for slow connections
- Nice-to-have Built-in password-less authentication capabilities
- Nice-to-have Integration with endpoint management (UEM) solutions
Red flags to watch for
- Hesitation on data practices
- Weak financial stability
- No proof of compliance
- Vague SLAs
- History of security incidents
- Lack of transparency in pricing
From contract to go-live
The implementation of a DAAS or modern VPN solution is a phased journey that requires careful planning and execution. It involves defining use cases, designing the network architecture, configuring security policies, migrating data, testing and validation, and finally, the go-live transition. Effective communication and collaboration between the IT team, the vendor, and end-users are crucial for a successful implementation.
Implementation phases
Discovery & planning
2-8 weeksDefining use cases, auditing existing data
Configuration
4-12 weeksSetting up the control plane, configuring security policies
Data migration
2-6 weeksMoving user profiles and data from legacy systems
Testing & validation
2-4 weeksUser Acceptance Testing (UAT), performance testing
Go-Live & transition
1-2 weeksSwitch-over, hyper-care support
The true cost of ownership
Beyond the initial license fees, there are several hidden costs associated with DAAS and VPN solutions that can significantly impact the total cost of ownership (TCO). These costs include implementation services, data egress fees, region surcharges, hidden management labor, and SLA premiums. A thorough TCO analysis is essential for accurate budgeting and ROI calculation.
Compliance considerations for DaaS and VPN
DAAS and VPN solutions must comply with various regulatory requirements, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, depending on the industry and geographic location of your organization. Ensure that the vendor has the necessary certifications and implements appropriate security controls to protect sensitive data and maintain compliance. Consider data residency requirements and choose a solution that allows you to store data in the appropriate region.
Your first 90 days
The first 90 days after implementing a DAAS or modern VPN solution are crucial for ensuring a smooth transition and realizing the expected benefits. This period involves verifying access, resolving connectivity issues, completing training, optimizing performance, and collecting user feedback. Regular monitoring and proactive issue resolution are essential for maintaining a stable and productive environment.
Success milestones
- All users can log in
- Access to core apps (Office 365, CRM)
- MFA is functional
- Resolve 95% of connectivity 'edge cases'
- 100% training completion for pilot group
- Baseline performance metrics captured
- Complete first right-sizing optimization cycle
- User feedback collected
- Integration health verified
- Achieve documented ROI
- Eliminate legacy hardware maintenance
- Vendor QBR scheduled
Measuring success
Measuring the success of a DAAS or VPN implementation requires tracking both leading and lagging indicators. Leading indicators, such as DEX scores and login times, provide proactive insights into user experience and potential issues. Lagging indicators, such as support ticket volume and breach occurrences, reflect the overall stability and security of the environment. Regular monitoring and analysis of these metrics are essential for continuous improvement.