Every organization has sensitive data and intellectual property that it must securely store from the prying eyes of cybercriminals. With the growing adoption of the hybrid work model, businesses, especially small and medium-sized companies, are at high risk of ransomware and cyberattacks. In 2021 alone, 50% of SMBs with fewer than 500 employees faced cyberattacks. That’s why, to fight against such threats, most companies use VPNs for added protection.
If you fear similar security risks for your business, a virtual private network (VPN) is a reliable solution. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between the device and the network through a VPN server to increase privacy and secure a corporate network. However, since all traffic travels through the same tunnel, it can slow down the speed. A VPN with split tunneling is the best fix for this issue.
What Is Split Tunneling?
Split tunneling is a critical VPN security feature that routes some internet traffic through the encrypted VPN tunnel and the rest through the local network to enhance overall network performance. Ideal for multitasking, it reduces strain on the VPN servers and saves bandwidth costs by reducing the load of data transmitted through the servers. That said, one cannot ignore the complexity of network security that split tunneling poses. Unlike the VPN tunnel, the ISP tunnel is not encrypted and is at high risk of exposing network traffic to the internet.
Types of Split Tunneling
Split tunneling doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all formula. The setup depends on particular needs and requirements for managing the internet traffic. Let’s understand the four common types of split tunneling and their mechanism.
Application-Based:
This approach lets you choose which app or service to use the VPN with. For instance, you can use the VPN to send critical data like bank statements or work emails and use the local network for other, less critical apps.
Route-Based:
The route-based approach uses standard routing principles to decide which traffic goes through the tunnel and which takes the local network path. This advanced tunneling technique lets us determine the network paths based on security.
Protocol-Based:
Here, the splitting tunneling decision is made based on the network protocol. For instance, you could use the VPN tunnel to route HTTP/HTTPS web traffic while using the regular internet connection to route gaming or streaming protocols.
URL-Based:
As the name suggests, the URL-based approach helps you decide which links will go through the VPN while browsing. For instance, you can access critical sites like bank URLs with a VPN and use a regular network for other links.
How Does a Split Tunnel VPN Work?
Typically, split tunneling is used for selective routing through the tunnel and taking control over the VPN usage. Here’s how the process looks:
- Tunnel Creation: This software creates a secure connection between your device and the VPN server.
- Routing Traffic: With split tunneling, your device decides which data should pass through the tunnel and which should go through the regular internet. Generally, critical traffic for VPN takes the secure route, while the rest passes through the network.
- Separated Paths: Sensitive or private data is sent through the VPN tunnel for optimum security, while less crucial data takes the usual route with no encryption and limited protection.
- Direct Internet Access: Since the VPN tunnel is used for critical data transmission only, you can use your local internet connection to access non-sensitive websites and apps.Â
Debunking the Pros and Cons of Split Tunneling
When deciding on the split tunneling strategy, focus on four key factors: network design, security structure, user behavior, and compliance needs. Next, weigh the advantages and disadvantages to pick the right security strategy for your business.
| Pros | Cons |
| Enhances safety and privacy from prying eyesReduces lag and latency for faster internet speedSeamless access to the local network without VPN interruptionFilters out less vital stuff to reserve VPN bandwidthAvoid VPN restrictions | Exposes non-encrypted data Increases the risks of phishing, snooping, and malwareComplex configuration steps Difficult to maintain and update the stepsAdds processing overhead and may lag internet performance |
Split tunneling helps optimize network performance and keep confidential resources safe. However, it has limitations. That’s why evaluating its advantages and challenges is vital to deciding the best option for your company’s safety.
