For many businesses today, an internet connection is essential. We use the internet to interact with clients, promote services, and communicate with team members.
However, internet connections can be dangerous and pose significant risks to privacy and data protection. So, what can you do to help keep your data secure?
A quality VPN can help bring additional protection to your business internet connections. But what is a VPN, and how can it help?
For over 25 years, WEBIT Services has helped clients discover and apply effective security practices. It is passionate about knowledge, education, and online safety.
By reading this article, you will learn the definition and function of a VPN and whether it may fit your business.
What is a VPN?
A virtual private network (VPN) is a secure connection between two or more devices over the internet. It creates an encrypted tunnel that protects your data from being intercepted by third parties, such as hackers or your internet service provider (ISP).
When you connect to a VPN, your device first connects to a VPN server. The VPN server then encrypts all your traffic and sends it to the internet. Anyone trying to intercept your traffic will only see encrypted data they cannot read.
The VPN server then forwards your traffic to its destination. When the destination server receives the traffic, it decrypts it and sends it back to your device.
Users should not notice a difference when connecting to the internet through a quality VPN. The connection should be quick and seamless.
Personal VPN vs. a Business VPN
Personal VPNs are typically used for activities such as browsing the web anonymously, protecting online privacy, and bypassing geo-restrictions.
Business VPNs are used for activities such as accessing company resources remotely, protecting sensitive data, and complying with regulations.
However, there are other differences to consider when choosing between a personal or business-grade VPN.
Number of users
Personal VPNs typically allow one user to connect at a time. Business VPNs can enable multiple users to connect simultaneously.
Features
Personal VPNs typically offer basic features, such as encryption and security.
Business VPNs offer more advanced features, such as split tunneling, dedicated IP addresses, and support for multiple devices.
Split tunneling allows users to choose which traffic is routed through the VPN and which traffic is routed through the regular internet connection.
Dedicated IP addresses can be helpful for businesses that need to maintain a consistent IP address for their website or applications.
Support for multiple devices allows employees to connect to the VPN from their laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
Price
Personal VPNs are typically less expensive than business VPNs. This is because personal VPNs are not as feature-rich and do not need to support as many users.
Why Do Businesses Use a VPN?
1. To protect sensitive data
Employees who work remotely often use public WiFi networks. These networks are not secure, and data transmitted over them can be easily intercepted. A VPN can protect this data by encrypting it before it is sent over the internet.
2. To comply with regulations
Many industries, such as finance and healthcare, are subject to strict IT compliance regulations governing the security of sensitive data. A VPN can help businesses comply with these regulations by providing a secure way to transmit data.
3. To improve remote access
A VPN can make it easier for employees to access company resources remotely. The VPN creates a secure tunnel between the employee's device and the company network.
4. To reduce costs
A VPN can help businesses reduce costs by eliminating the need for expensive, dedicated leased lines.
5. Protecting your privacy
A VPN can help you protect your privacy by hiding your actual IP address. This can be useful for anonymous browsing or torrenting.
Does My Business Need a VPN?
Not every business may decide to use a VPN. If you are debating whether or not your business might benefit from a VPN, ask the following questions:
1. Does your business handle sensitive data?
You should consider using a VPN if your business handles sensitive data, such as financial information or customer records. A VPN can help protect this data from being intercepted by hackers or other unauthorized parties.
2. Do your employees work remotely?
Employees who work remotely are more likely to use public WiFi networks. Public WiFi networks are not secure, so a VPN can help protect their data when using these networks.
3. Are you subject to regulations that require you to protect data?
Some industries, such as finance and healthcare, are subject to regulations requiring businesses to protect specific data types. A VPN may be necessary to meet the compliance standards of regulated industries.
4. Do you want to improve remote access?
A VPN can make it easier for employees to access company resources remotely. This can be helpful if your employees need to access files, applications, or databases from home or on the road.
However, your business may not need a VPN if:
- Your business does not handle sensitive data.
- Your employees do not work remotely.
- You are not subject to regulations that require you to protect data.
What Should I Look For in a VPN?
Your IT provider or internal IT team can help you choose a VPN by providing recommendations based on your specific needs. They can also help you set up and configure the VPN for your business.
When selecting a VPN for your business, consider the following:
1. Security
The VPN should use strong encryption and have a good security track record.
2. Performance
The VPN should not slow down your internet connection too much.
3. Ease of use
The VPN should be easy to set up and use for your employees.
4. Price
VPN services have a wide range of prices. The VPN service you select should be affordable for your business while performing to the standard you need.
5. The number of servers
The more servers a VPN has, the more likely you are to find a server close to your location. This will improve the performance of the VPN.
6. The location of the servers
Some VPN providers have servers in more countries than others. This can be important if you need to access content that is blocked in your country.
7. The privacy policy
The VPN's privacy policy should be clear about what data they collect and how they use it. A quality VPN service will have a strong privacy policy.
Next Steps for Selecting a VPN for Your Business
A VPN helps secure internet connections through encryption. This adds an additional layer of protection to your data and makes it more difficult for cybercriminals to intercept it.
Businesses may consider adopting a VPN if:
- They deal with sensitive data.
- They are a regulated industry with IT compliance standards.
- Employees work remotely or require remote access to company data and networks.
Your IT provider or internal IT team can help you evaluate, select, and configure a VPN network for your IT system. When recommending a VPN, your provider or team should consider your IT budget, connection needs, and IT compliance standards.
It is a service red flag if your IT provider ignores these factors.
WEBIT Services has educated clients in cybersecurity and has helped clients establish effective security procedures.
If you are looking for a new IT provider, schedule a free 30-minute consultation to see how WEBIT Services can help.
If you aren't ready to make a commitment but would like to learn more about the dangers of cybercrime, we recommend the following articles:
- Spam and phishing emails: What they are and how to identify them
- 5 Factors that changed cybercrime
- 5 Major cyberattacks of the 21st century
