Protecting Remote Data Without VPN
A company recently decided to allow employees to work remotely. The company wants to protect its data without using a VPN. Which of the following technologies should the company implement?
Community Votes
100% of anonymous learners picked answer A. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Community Insight
The exam tests knowledge of modern network security architectures that replace traditional VPNs with agent-based or cloud-based web gateways for remote workers.
This question addresses secure remote access alternatives to VPNs, identifying the Secure Web Gateway as the correct technology for filtering and protecting web traffic.
Candidates often choose Next-generation firewall (D) because it is a strong security tool, but NGFWs are typically perimeter devices rather than remote-access agents.
Community Discussion (4 comments)
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Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
A Secure Web Gateway (SWG) is designed to filter internet-bound web traffic from users. For remote employees, an SWG agent can be installed on their device to route all web traffic through the company's security policies, providing protection against web-based threats without requiring a full-tunnel VPN.Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Virtual private cloud endpoints (B) are used within cloud infrastructure (like AWS/Azure) to connect privately to services, not for general employee remote access. Deep packet inspection (C) is a feature or technique used by firewalls and gateways, not a standalone solution. Next-generation firewalls (D) are typically deployed at the network perimeter to protect internal networks from external attacks, rather than acting as individual agents for remote workers.Community Comment Notes
Community consensus strongly supports Option A. As user Hs1208 noted, "A secure web gateway... allows organizations to enforce security policies and protect users from malicious websites without the need for a VPN." Another commenter, LuckyAro, simply affirmed that "A secure web gateway would be a viable alternative." Ganymede clarified that while an SWG agent might be installed locally, the solution itself is cloud-based and distinct from VPC endpoints or standard DPI.Exam Strategy
When asked about remote access solutions that do not use a VPN, look for technologies that handle traffic filtering and policy enforcement at the endpoint or cloud level, such as Secure Web Gateways or Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn't a Next-Generation Firewall used for remote workers?
NGFWs are typically perimeter appliances. SWGs are better suited for remote users as they can be deployed as agents or proxies specifically for web traffic filtering.
How does an SWG differ from a VPN?
A VPN creates a tunnel for all traffic, while an SWG specifically filters and secures web traffic, often allowing non-web traffic to bypass the corporate network.