Why Your Business Needs A VPN

As the shift to digital progresses, the need to secure data has never been greater. Globally, we are seeing more data leaks and instances of hacking than ever before. From ransomware attacks to the SolarWinds hacks, and a plethora of other instances of data breaches, it has become clear that attacks on data and data systems are increasing. One way to arm your business against data breaches is to install a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN allows you to be online privately and with anonymity, by creating a private network out of a public internet connection. All data you send from the VPN appears to come from the VPN itself, rather than your internet service provider (ISP), masking your internet protocol (IP) address. Your IP address indicates your general location and can be used alongside other markers to identify you. A VPN is a more secure defence of your privacy than a secured Wi-Fi hotspot. So let’s dive in deeper into these concepts so you understand why your business needs a VPN. 

In  practice, installing a VPN will allow you to:

• Protect the privacy of your internet activity, especially if you are connected to an unsecured Wi-FI network.
• Avoid online censorship on networks that block certain services or sites. 
• Connect workers to a corporate intranet in the office while they are working remotely, or travelling. 

Add More Protection to Your Network

If you performed a well-known experiment, you would learn something startling about online security. Take a laptop with a newly installed operating system and its security disabled and connect it to the internet using an Ethernet cable. Within a few seconds, your laptop will have come under attack.

A business needs reliable cybersecurity in order to protect its data and the company’s operations against a possible USA crime. As a company grows in size, so do its cybersecurity needs. The economic costs of hacking can run into the billions, take down valuable infrastructure and cause chaos at state and even national levels.

A VPN heightens the security around a business’ network and data. A VPN encrypts all data sent through its network. Many VPN services also protect against malware. Although antivirus software plays an important role in security data, it only protects against 75% of threats. You need a VPN to deal with the remaining 25%. 

With a VPN, your data, whether it is in the form of internal communications, or customer channels, or stored documents, or something else, will be encrypted.

Securely Connect Remote Workers to a Corporate Intranet

In a world of remote and hybrid work models, data security with geographically distributed teams, demands the use of VPNs. Businesses need to be able to communicate securely with their remote workers. VPNs allow your business to create a secure channel through which remote workers can communicate through a very difficult-to-compromise network. 

With a VPN, every remote worker can be given their own IP address if necessary. 

Installing a VPN in a large organization is a little complex, because you have to factor in the connectivity of all its branches and remote workers, and what rights each branch or remote worker will have within the VPN. 

Sidestep Online Censorship

Online censorship exists in some form in many parts of the world, with jurisdictions blocking access to certain sites and services. 

In the event that your country bans the use of a critical service, a VPN will be able to help you sidestep that ban. For instance, a Chinese business can use GMail, Facebook, LinkedIn and other services, regardless of China’s ban on those platforms. This is because a VPN allows you to not just hide your location, but to assume a different location. So for instance, that Chinese business could have a Swedish IP address. 

When LinkedIn was blocked in Russia, HR professionals found it hard to communicate with potential employers and job seekers. The solution was simple: many VPN services arose, allowing HR professionals to work without hindrance.

Reduce Costs

It is possible to get the same level of protection that a VPN provides, without having a VPN. However, in order to do this, a business has to assume costs far and above what it costs to maintain a VPN. With a VPN, the company does not, for instance, have to have the system administrator do anything special to install the network. Cloud-based VPNs are super easy to install.

Hacking and remediation can, as we said, result in massive economic costs. In 2017, for instance, hacking cost an average of $7.35 million per business. That is a massive bill to foot.These figures are calculated in terms of compromised customer accounts. When a business uses a VPN, there is a reduction in the number of compromised customer accounts of 47%. That is a huge saving.

Secure Customer Data

The reputation damage that results from leaks of customer data can impact overall trust in the company. Customers need to know that their data is safe with your business. 

Many businesses allow customers to connect to the internet using their WiFi. Whether you’re at an airport, cafe, restaurant, or hotel, access to the internet is everywhere. 

The bigger the WiFi network, the greater the potential data breach. The complexity of the network makes it even more vulnerable. Now consider that when people go online, they aren’t just going to get the news. They access their private accounts, across a host of services. The weakness of the network becomes the weakness of the customer’s data.

Threats can emerge not just from the outside, but from within. An unscrupulous network administrator can help themselves to customer data. A VPN protects data from external threats and from internal ones as well.

Conclusion
If you care about data security, then you need to start thinking about getting a VPN. Speak to a specialist who can take you through the various options available to you. A specialist will be able to assess your risks and develop a framework for remedial actions. A VPN is a vital tool for any organization. As you learn about setting up an LLC for consulting work here, think about your data security needs and start the process of installing a VPN.

Apart from researching the nature of a VPN and how to use it, some companies choose to utilize IP CCTV to monitor on-site security for their employees.