The End of Microsoft 365's VPN: What It Means for Your Business Security
fahd.zafar • February 5, 2025
With Microsoft's recent announcement of the removal of their VPN feature from Microsoft 365 subscriptions, organisations need to reassess their security strategy. At Altiatech, we're helping businesses turn this change into an opportunity to strengthen their overall security posture.
Understanding the Change
From 28th February 2025, Microsoft will remove the privacy protection feature from Microsoft 365 subscriptions. While this built-in VPN was limited in scope (with a 50GB monthly data limit and restricted regional connections), many organisations have relied on it as part of their security stack.
Why This Matters
This change comes at a crucial time:
- Rising Security Threats: Cyber attacks continue to increase in frequency and sophistication
- Remote Work: Distributed teams need secure access to corporate resources
- Compliance Requirements: Data protection regulations demand robust security measures
- Cost Implications: Companies need to find cost-effective alternatives
The Opportunity for Enhancement
Rather than viewing this as a loss of functionality, forward-thinking organisations are using this as a catalyst for security improvements.
Here's why:
Limitations of the Current Solution
- Restricted data allowance (50GB monthly)
- Limited regional flexibility
- Basic feature set
- No geo-restriction bypass capabilities
Benefits of a Comprehensive Security Approach
- Full-featured security solutions
- Integrated identity management
- Scalable infrastructure
- Comprehensive monitoring and control
The Altiatech Approach
Through our altIAM division, we offer a comprehensive security solution that goes beyond basic VPN functionality:
- Identity and Access Management
- Multi-factor authentication
- Single sign-on capabilities
- Privileged access management
- User lifecycle management
- Zero Trust Security
- Continuous verification
- Least privilege access
- Risk-based authentication
- Real-time monitoring
- Compliance and Governance
- Regular compliance audits
- Policy enforcement
- Activity logging
- Risk assessment
Action Plan for Organisations
To prepare for this change, we recommend:
- Assessment
- Review current VPN usage
- Identify critical security needs
- Evaluate compliance requirements
- Strategy Development
- Define security objectives
- Plan migration timeline
- Allocate resources
- Implementation
- Deploy new security solutions
- Train users
- Monitor effectiveness
Making the Transition
We understand that changing security infrastructure can be daunting. That's why we offer:
- Seamless Migration: Minimal disruption to operations
- User Training: Comprehensive guidance for all staff
- Ongoing Support: 24/7 technical assistance
- Future-Proofing: Regular updates and improvements
Get Started
Don't wait until the February deadline!
Contact Altiatech to discuss your security needs and how we can help strengthen your organisation's security posture.
📞 UK: +44 (0)330 332 5482
📧
innovate@altiatech.com
Traditional security models assumed everything inside the corporate network was trustworthy, focusing defensive efforts on the perimeter. This approach fails catastrophically in today's hybrid work environment where employees access resources from homes, coffee shops, and co-working spaces whilst applications reside across multiple clouds.
Microsoft is introducing major Microsoft 365 licensing changes in 2026. Learn what’s changing, who is affected and how businesses should prepare.
Cloud computing promised cost savings through pay-per-use models and elastic scaling. Yet many UK organisations discover their cloud bills steadily increasing without corresponding business growth. The culprit? Cloud waste - unnecessary spending on unused or inefficiently configured resources.
A threat group known as Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters is targeting Zendesk users through a sophisticated campaign involving fake support sites and weaponised helpdesk tickets, according to security researchers at ReliaQuest. The operation represents an evolution in how cybercriminals exploit trust in enterprise SaaS platforms.
Amazon Web Services has launched a new feature allowing customers to make DNS changes within 60 minutes during service disruptions in its US East (N. Virginia) region. The announcement tacitly acknowledges what many have long observed: AWS's largest and most critical region has a reliability problem.
A Scottish council remains unable to fully restore critical systems two years after a devastating ransomware attack, highlighting the long-term consequences of inadequate cybersecurity preparation and the challenges facing resource-constrained local authorities. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, serving Scotland's Western Isles, suffered a ransomware attack in November 2023 that required extensive system reconstruction. According to a report published by Scotland's Accounts Commission, several systems remain unrestored even now, with large data volumes slowing the digital recovery process.
Ready to migrate from Windows 10? Contact Altiatech for a comprehensive migration assessment and strategy tailored to your organisation's needs.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has issued an alert warning that multiple cyber threat actors are actively leveraging commercial spyware to target users of mobile messaging applications including Signal and WhatsApp. The sophisticated campaigns use advanced social engineering and exploit techniques to compromise victims' devices and gain unauthorized access to their communications.
Microsoft has introduced experimental AI agent capabilities into Windows through Copilot Actions and agent workspaces, features designed to automate everyday tasks like organising files, scheduling meetings, and sending emails. However, the announcement comes with significant security warnings that business leaders and IT administrators must understand before enabling these capabilities.
Anthropic has disclosed the first documented case of a large-scale cyberattack executed with minimal human intervention, marking a significant escalation in AI-enabled cyber threats. The campaign, attributed with high confidence to a Chinese state-sponsored group, demonstrates how rapidly AI capabilities are being weaponised for espionage operations.
