Latest Insights on VPN and Zero Trust Implementation
On February 27, 2025, NRI Secure Technologies released the results of its 2024 Corporate Information Security Survey, conducted across Japan, the United States, and Australia.
The findings reveal that nearly 80% of Japanese companies plan to continue using VPNs, while over 20% have already adopted Zero Trust security frameworks.
Zero Trust Security Moves to the Implementation Phase
The survey showed that 21.1% of Japanese companies have either fully or partially implemented Zero Trust security, marking a 7.8-point increase compared to the 2022 survey.
Additionally, 9.1% of companies reported evaluating Zero Trust but ultimately deciding not to implement it. NRI Secure notes this reflects a clear shift: many organizations have moved beyond consideration and are actively deciding on implementation.
78.5% of Japanese Companies to Continue Using VPNs
Despite the growing focus on Zero Trust, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) remain a widely adopted security measure, with 78.5% of Japanese companies stating they plan to continue using VPNs.
However, the remaining organizations reported:
- 6.8% are considering discontinuing VPN usage
- 2.9% have already stopped using VPNs within the past year or earlier
While VPNs remain critical, the increased adoption of Zero Trust indicates that some companies are reevaluating their network security strategies.
Major Gap in Generative AI Adoption Across Japan, the U.S., and Australia
The survey also examined the use of Generative AI (GenAI) in business operations, revealing stark contrasts between regions:
| Country/Region | GenAI Adoption Rate |
|---|---|
| United States | 99.2% |
| Australia | 100% |
| Japan | 65.3% |
While nearly all U.S. and Australian companies have embraced GenAI, adoption in Japan remains significantly lower.
Usage Breakdown by Region:
- U.S. & Australia: Primarily used for internal business operations (74.4% and 81.7%, respectively)
- Japan: Most usage remains at the individual employee level (51.4%)
These results highlight that, in Japan, GenAI is still largely confined to personal use, with limited organizational integration.
Japan’s GenAI Challenges: Talent Shortages & Data Management
The survey identified key barriers to leveraging GenAI for customer-facing services:
- Japan:
- Difficulty determining what data can be safely input (45.7%)
- Shortage of personnel to establish rules and governance (45.7%)
- United States:
- Difficulty forecasting operational costs (47.6%)
- Australia:
- Shortage of personnel to establish rules and governance (44.4%)
In Japan, data governance concerns and talent shortages are significant obstacles to broader GenAI adoption.
Conclusion: Combining VPN and Zero Trust is the Future
NRI Secure’s survey underscores that VPNs remain a vital security tool for Japanese companies, with most opting for continued use. Meanwhile, Zero Trust security adoption is accelerating, with the combined use of VPN and Zero Trust emerging as the new standard for corporate cybersecurity.
The findings also reveal Japan’s lag in GenAI adoption compared to global counterparts. Moving forward, strengthening data management and cultivating AI-related talent will be critical to enhancing Japan’s global competitiveness.
Companies are encouraged to revisit their security strategies with a focus on VPNs, Zero Trust, and GenAI as core pillars for future resilience and growth.
