Every business needs protection from the threats of the digital age. Hackers accessing consumer data, disrupting the business network, and stealing valuable information from online businesses can really cripple a business. With so many online threats out there, how do we achieve full protection? Well, one of the most popular measures against cyberattacks is using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution.
VPN solutions allow organizations to securely communicate with their co-workers and share files without worrying about prying eyes. Today, we’ll answer the question of why every business needs a VPN. Get ready to learn everything you need about VPNs, and you will be all set to go get one for your business network.
How do VPNs work?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a security tool that creates a private tunnel between the users and the networks they access to. It allows users to transmit data as if they were really in a private network. VPNs encrypt all the communication between the user and the network, meaning it turns plaintext into ciphertext to make the data unreadable to any potential attacker.
There are several types of VPN solutions on the market suited for different needs. For example, remote access VPNs allow individual users to access business resources from remote locations and are mostly used by companies that have a distributed workforce. Site-to-site VPNs, another common VPN tool, allow different networks to communicate securely. They are usually preferred by companies with remote offices or business partners.
There are countless numbers of benefits a VPN tool offer. First of all, remote workers get the ability to work with their company network as if they are actually in the office. VPNs provide them with the security and connection they need to complete their tasks. This technology is also great to bypass geographical restrictions as VPNs pretend as if the user is in a different location. Lastly, thanks to encryption and IP-masking abilities, VPNs increase online anonymity and let users search through the Internet privately.
Securing Sensitive Business Data
Let’s start off with the most important aspect of using a VPN in your business. Companies transmit a good bit of sensitive business data, especially if they have business partners communicating with them over the Internet. Although there are alternatives for VPN in B2B environments, they come up as one the strongest solutions for business-to-business companies.
When employees or partners connect to a company network through VPN, it encrypts all the communication between the two parties. This means that even if the hackers disrupt the communication and access the data, they will not be able to view or use it in the ciphertext form. These robust encryption capabilities help businesses secure financial records, protected health information, or personal client data.
Enhancing Remote Work Security
The quick rise in the adoption of remote work pushed companies to look for ways to secure remote access. Remote access VPNs emerged as an answer to their needs by providing a direct tunnel to the company network that is encrypted and private, allowing users to work from anywhere in the world.
In addition to encryption, remote access VPNs come with authentication technologies such as Multi-factor Authentication, allowing companies to verify their users from remote locations. Thanks to this tool, remote workers can even work securely from public connections such as coffee shops and airports regardless of public Wi-Fi security.
Bypassing Geo-restrictions and Ensuring Constant Connectivity
Some of the content on the Internet are geo-restricted, meaning they can only be accessed from certain parts of the world. This may be due to censorship or localization. Companies who want to open up to other markets can use VPNs to bypass these geo-restrictions and access all the content Internet has to offer.
Additionally, employees can always work while traveling by using a VPN as it lifts all the restrictions to access company resources. This is also highly useful for remote employees who might have to use restricted content for their daily operations.
Defending Against Cyber Attacks
Virtual Private Networks serve as a great line of security against common threats. First of all, they have the capability of shielding a business from DDoS attacks. Since all the traffic is routed through a VPN, the company network becomes resistant to overwhelming traffic. This prevents downtime and ensures uninterrupted services.
VPNs also defend a company against IP spoofing attempts, which is an attack used by hackers to impersonate a legit user. With encryption, IP masking, and tunneling, it becomes incredibly challenging for attackers to gain unauthorized access and forge IP addresses.
Lastly, VPNs are highly efficient in preventing man-in-the-middle attacks where attackers manipulate the communication between two parties. They safeguard sensitive data during transmission and prevent interception.
Cost-Effectiveness and Return on Investment (ROI)
Investing in VPN solutions comes up as a budget-friendly way of securing a private network. While VPN providers may ask for some initial fees for setup, organizations then only need to pay the subscription fee. This is way more affordable than buying expensive hardware and hiring an extensive IT crew for maintenance.
Secondly, by protecting a business from costly data breaches and data theft, companies avoid potential financial penalties or revenue loss. For remote users, having a VPN that provides a secure and fast connection to business resources increase their productivity, coming back to you as added profit.
Overall, the ROI of VPNs is evident from different perspectives, and it proves to be profitable both directly and indirectly. If you are hesitant about the initial costs, look for vendors that are within your budget.
Conclusion
VPN solutions are necessary to protect a business against cyberattacks, let them leverage remote work, bypass geo-restrictions, and prevent financial repercussions of digital threats. In this day and age, we believe every online business needs a VPN to secure sensitive data, its customers, and employees. Don’t miss out on the benefits of this technology, especially since the market offers a type of VPN for every business need you might have.