Split tunnel Vs. full tunnel VPN: What’s best for your enterprise data security?

With remote and hybrid work on the rise, securing sensitive information is no longer just an IT issue. With 91% of data breaches happening in remote environments,^[1]  businesses must prioritize strong security to maintain trust, compliance, and competitiveness.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have long been a cornerstone of enterprise security. They encrypt internet traffic, secure communications, and extend private networks across public infrastructure. But not all VPNs are created equal. Enter the debate: split tunnel vs full tunnel VPN—which is better for your business?

To make the right choice, let’s explore how each tunneling method works, their strengths and weaknesses, and how emerging technologies like Scalefusion Veltar simplify secure access at scale.

What is a split tunnel VPN?

Split tunnel VPN selectively routes traffic: only specific applications or destinations go through the VPN, while the rest of the traffic flows directly to the internet via the local network.

How it works

Admins define which apps, IPs, or URLs need VPN protection. The remaining traffic bypasses the tunnel. This minimizes bandwidth strain on the VPN server and improves performance.

Types of split tunneling

1. App-Based split tunneling: Routes traffic from selected apps through the VPN.
2. URL-Based split tunneling: Only designated web domains use the VPN tunnel.
3. Inverse split tunnel: By default, everything goes through the internet except traffic destined for specified internal resources.
4. Dynamic split tunneling: Routes change based on user context, device posture, or risk level.

Security benefits

• Reduces bandwidth bottlenecks and latency.
• Decreases the load on the corporate VPN infrastructure.
• Balances security and performance.
• Enables remote flexibility without over-engineering.

Ideal for

• Enterprises with distributed workforces.
• Use cases involving cloud-native and SaaS tools.
• Environments with trusted devices and strong endpoint protection.

What is a full tunnel VPN?

A full tunnel VPN routes all internet and intranet traffic through the VPN server, creating a secure “tunnel” between the user’s device and the enterprise network.

How it works

When a user connects to a full tunnel VPN, every bit of traffic, whether it’s accessing internal corporate apps or browsing the web, is encrypted and sent through the VPN tunnel. The VPN server then handles all outbound traffic to the internet.

Security benefits

• End-to-end encryption of all traffic.
• Protection against DNS leaks, IP exposure, and traffic interception.
• Ideal for ensuring strict compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI-DSS regulations.
• Helps enforce corporate firewall and content filtering policies.

Ideal for

• Highly regulated industries (healthcare, finance, legal).
• Users working on untrusted networks (e.g., public Wi-Fi).
• Organizations prioritize maximum control and visibility.

Split tunnel Vs. Full tunnel VPN: Key differences

A VPN tunnel securely routes your data, but the tunnel type determines how much traffic passes through it. Understanding the different tunneling options—split or full—helps ensure the right balance between security and performance for your network.

Pros and cons – Split tunnel Vs. full tunnel VPN

Split tunnel VPN

1. Why should you choose a split tunnel VPN?

• Improves user productivity and experience.
• Reduces bandwidth and server loads.
• Flexible and modern, workforce-friendly.

2. Why should you rethink choosing a split tunnel VPN?

• Misconfiguration can expose sensitive data.
• Potential blind spots in monitoring.
• Not ideal for high-risk environments.

Full tunnel

1. Why should you choose a full tunnel VPN?

• Strongest encryption and data control.
• Simplifies compliance audits.
• Prevents data exfiltration from unmanaged apps.

2. Why should you rethink choosing full tunnel VPN?

• Can slow down internet access.
• Higher infrastructure cost.
• May frustrate users with frequent disconnections or app lags.

Choosing the right tunneling strategy for your enterprise

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Your decision should be based on security posture, network design, user behavior, and compliance needs.

• Data sensitivity: If employees handle financial data, health records, or trade secrets, go for a full tunnel VPN. A split tunnel may suffice for routine SaaS access and collaboration tools.
• Network Architecture: Cloud-first enterprises often find split tunneling more efficient. Those with tightly knit internal networks may favor full tunnels for visibility.
• User Environment & Endpoint Trust: In high-trust environments with managed endpoints, split tunneling with endpoint protection can be secure and productive. In contrast, a full tunnel is a safer bet for BYOD or unmanaged devices.

Security considerations and best practices

Regardless of your VPN tunneling strategy, security must be layered and policy-driven.

• Enforce policy-based access control: Define VPN access based on user roles, device trust, and location.
• Combine VPN with modern security tools: Use UEM (Unified Endpoint Management), MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication), and endpoint detection & response (EDR) for holistic protection.
• Audit split tunnel rules: Routinely assess traffic routes and review logs to ensure sensitive data isn’t bypassing the VPN.
• Avoid DIY VPN setups: Relying on cobbled-together scripts or OS-level settings can lead to misconfigurations. Centralized solutions reduce risk and improve manageability.

How Scalefusion Veltar simplifies tunnel management for enterprises

Managing VPN routes manually is time-consuming, error-prone, and difficult to scale. That’s where Scalefusion Veltar comes in. Veltar business VPN is a UEM-native solution built on Scalefusion UEM, enabling easy access to internal corporate resources from anywhere.

Key features

• Policy-driven routing: Route traffic per IP, domain, or risk level.
• Device-aware tunnels: Configure routes differently based on device trust or compliance state.
• Audit logs: View tunnel usage and suspicious traffic across the fleet.
• Peer-to-hub connections: Route and manage peer traffic securely through a centralized hub, simplifying setup and communication.
• Cryptographic routing: Securely manage traffic using key-based routing, ensuring high performance and encryption across the network.

For enterprises, managing remote work security at scale can be challenging. By integrating Unified Endpoint Management (UEM), VPN, and endpoint security into a single platform, such as Scalefusion Veltar, businesses can ensure unified protection across all devices. This approach not only reduces the complexity of managing multiple security tools but also lowers IT overhead. Additionally, it minimizes human error in tunnel configurations, ensuring more efficient and secure network management for distributed teams.

Closing thoughts

The choice between full tunnel and split tunnel isn’t about which is “better” overall. It’s about which one aligns with your specific security needs, user behavior, and operational setup. 

When configured correctly, split tunneling can enhance performance and productivity by routing only certain traffic through the VPN. However, in high-risk environments, full tunneling is the go-to option for maximum security, as it ensures all data is routed through the VPN for complete protection.

Tools like Scalefusion Veltar help you strike the right balance between security and convenience. With Veltar, you can maintain control without sacrificing performance, visibility, or protection.

Ready to see how Veltar can optimize your VPN strategy?

References:

1. IBM Report