As more UAE businesses implement VPN solutions for remote workers, split tunneling has emerged as an important configuration option that can dramatically improve performance while maintaining security for corporate resources. Many IT administrators and business owners hear the term but are unsure whether it is the right choice for their organisation. This guide explains what split tunneling is, how it works, and when UAE businesses should — and should not — use it.
The decision on VPN split tunneling is one that Al Aida IT regularly advises clients on when setting up remote access solutions for businesses in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and across the GCC. Getting this configuration right can make a significant difference to the remote work experience for your employees.
By default, when an employee connects to a company VPN, ALL internet traffic from their device is routed through the VPN tunnel to the company network — including general web browsing, video streaming, and personal internet usage. This is called full tunneling. While maximally secure, it creates two problems: it increases the load on the company's internet connection and VPN server, and it slows down the employee's internet experience for non-work activities.
Split tunneling solves this by dividing traffic into two streams. Traffic destined for company resources (internal servers, company cloud applications, specific IP ranges) is routed through the VPN. All other traffic (general web browsing, Zoom/Teams calls to Microsoft/Zoom servers, Netflix) goes directly out through the employee's home internet connection. The result is faster general browsing for the employee and reduced load on the company VPN infrastructure.
Use split tunneling when: Your employees experience significant slowness due to all traffic being routed through the VPN. Your VPN server or firewall is becoming overloaded due to high concurrent user loads. Your employees use cloud services like Microsoft 365, Zoom, or Google Workspace that work better going directly to the internet. Your team needs reliable, high-quality video calls that are affected by VPN latency.
Do NOT use split tunneling when: Your business handles highly sensitive data and requires all traffic to be inspected by your company firewall. Your compliance requirements (e.g., DIFC regulations, UAE Central Bank requirements) mandate that all internet traffic be logged and monitored. You want to ensure employees cannot access personal or restricted websites during work hours on company devices. Your security policy requires full visibility and control over all network activity from company endpoints.
Split tunneling is configured at the VPN server/firewall level and optionally at the VPN client level. For most UAE SMEs using Fortinet FortiClient, Cisco AnyConnect, or GlobalProtect VPNs, split tunneling is configured by specifying which network ranges or IP addresses should go through the VPN (called include routes) and marking everything else as direct internet traffic. Route-based split tunneling routes specific corporate network ranges through the VPN. Application-based split tunneling (available in some enterprise VPN solutions) routes specific applications through the VPN while others go direct.
Setting up split tunneling requires careful planning to ensure all necessary corporate resources are included in the VPN routes. Missing a critical internal IP range will cause application failures for remote workers. Al Aida IT configures split tunneling as part of VPN deployments under our IT AMC contracts for clients in Dubai and Sharjah, ensuring all business-critical traffic is properly routed.
If your business needs help configuring split tunneling VPN for remote workers in the UAE, our team at Al Aida IT Technology LLC provides expert managed IT support, network configuration, and IT Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs) across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and the wider GCC region.
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