As technology has developed immensely over the last decade, enterprises changed how they handle their business. Now, the network of businesses has been built with better security solutions. These developments caused businesses to improve their working models as well. Remote work and hybrid working models have been around for a while now. But remote work has gotten a new meaning since the pandemic started. It forced businesses to shift their workforce to a remote environment. Now, the growing trend of working remotely plays a crucial role in employment.
Like any other working model, the remote work environment has its own vulnerabilities and strengths. If the network isn’t properly secured, companies can face serious consequences since network security threats are getting more complex and advanced. In fact, the average cost of a data breach worldwide was recorded as 4.35 million dollars in 2022. It turns out the healthcare industry has the highest global average cost of a data breach with an amount of 10 million dollars.
So, companies with a remote workforce need to ensure secure and reliable connections between their employees and business network. Also, with an enterprise VPN solution, companies can secure their business network and the sensitive data within. Now, let’s explore what role business VPNs play in an era of remote work in detail.
What is a Business VPN?
Virtual private networks (VPN) are tools that provide encrypted tunnels for connecting user devices to one or more servers. Business VPNs are tailored exceptionally for organizational purposes aside from personal use. The difference is that they ensure employees and remote workers securely access private business networks and company resources. A business VPN ensures end-to-end encryption for all the endpoints connecting to the company network, keeping the network edge and its users secure.
Also, an enterprise VPN solution can come with additional tools such as static IP addresses, traffic monitoring, and network segmentation to help multiple access possible. As companies aim for extra security with business VPNs, other features related to security include no logging of data, no IP address leaks, a kill switch, and multi-factor authentication (MFA). A business virtual private network can also reduce IT costs and reduce the chances of a data breach while deploying high-speed dedicated servers. Companies can benefit from a business VPN — mitigating security risks, assisting remote work, and securing their business against cyber threats.
The Benefits of Business VPN in Remote Work
1- Secure Remote Data Access
Latest events and technological advancements changed the way businesses operate and exposed new vulnerabilities in terms of security. Nowadays, remote work drastically increases across the globe. So, secure remote access is crucial for businesses to protect their network and sensitive data against cyber threats. Business VPNs enable secure remote access to company networks from any endpoint no matter its location. By establishing a secure tunnel and encryption for data transfer within the network, companies can prevent malicious actors from stealing confidential information and damaging their businesses. Overall, companies can create a single shared network across multiple offices and remote workers and ensure its safety.
2- Robust Data Privacy and Security
Encryption is crucial when it comes to confidential or sensitive data of businesses. Encryption provides an additional security layer against cyber threats because data still needs to be deciphered even if it is stolen. A business VPN ensures end-to-end encryption and no logging policy in all connections within the network to ensure safe data sharing and data privacy. Additionally, companies can make sure only authorized personnel can access the encrypted data with a business VPN.
3- Flexible Security Option
Since business VPNs offer high scalability and flexibility, companies can easily manipulate VPN coverage within the network pretty fast. Business VPNs can be implemented on multiple devices when needed. That way remote workers can access required data and the network on any device with a secure connection through business VPNs while business assets are protected. As the network perimeter expands, the security of business VPNs also expands to cover all endpoints. Also, VPN connections of remote workers are configured in a way all devices are linked with a secure tunneling protocol and authentication to create a single shared network for the business.
4- Central Management
VPNs offer far more efficient management for multiple-user access to business networks. Rather than managing and setting multiple individual connections, administrators can manage all user access, monitor network traffic, and update software from a single console. It reduces the extra work and time that is needed when managing numerous individual VPN accounts. Additionally, a single point of administration business VPNs provide helps to scale with the required user and endpoint amount. For example, it is easier to restrict or remove access when employees switch roles or quit their job. So, business VPNs protect the internal network against cybersecurity threats such as malware and zero-day attacks by ensuring regular updates on every endpoint and central management of every single activity in the network.
5- Affordable Security Solution
Business VPNs can be a bit more expensive option than other VPNs, but they still provide an affordable security solution when compared to other security products such as intrusion protection software. That’s why, investing in a strong business VPN is necessary for small businesses especially. Because small businesses are targeted constantly by cyber criminals due to size and investments in security. Business VPNs protect customer data and your network by encryptions and added security features through a single solution. However, it might be inadequate for safeguarding your network as cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to exploit businesses.
6- Compatible with Legacy Systems
A business VPN enables companies to ease their digital transformation to the cloud. In an era of digitalization and remote work, it is crucial to adapt to the latest development. That’s because outdated technologies are prone to get exploited by cyber threats and damage the business critically. In this manner, companies with a lack of resources can implement a business VPN to transform to the cloud. Business VPNs need no change in configuration and overlay existing applications and software. It only takes internet access for business VPNs to secure connections to networks and the applications within.
Final Words
Remember that your network security is as strong as the weakest part of the whole network. That’s mainly why companies of all sizes must invest in a robust business VPN to defend their network against cyber security threats. Since it ensures encrypted remote access to business networks and data sharing with additional security features such as a kill switch, no logging of data, and multi-factor authentication, remote work is safer than ever.
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