Today, in big business most corporations utilize a virtual private network, or VPN, to connect multiple offices and centralize business operations and communications. However, you don’t have to be a large corporation with multiple physical locations to implement a centralized VPN. In fact, small to medium-sized business operating in a single location can significantly benefit from using a VPN.
VPNs create encrypted tunnels for data that mask the location of network and make any public internet connection private and virtually untraceable. The following are some of the top benefits companies of all sizes can enjoy with VPNs.
Secure Your Communications
Your employees’ internet connection is secured through a VPN. VPNs have strong layers of encryption that protect your company’s sensitive data from malicious attacks. Internet connections may not always be secured, especially for remote employees and those traveling for work. Your employees may find they can only connect to public WiFi or hotspot locations while away from the office. Having a VPN in place will ensure that even the most unsecured public network is routed through the VPN tunnel to the remote server.
Reduce the Risk of Cybercrime
People often think that cybercrime and security breaches only happen to the big corporations. The truth is, we only hear about the large corporate security breaches. All companies and even private individuals are targeted daily by malicious attacks. A VPN adds an extra layer of security to your company’s security measures that make your company less vulnerable to such targeting.
Traveling is Easier
Many people have to travel for work and sometimes, internationally. Different laws and policies regarding internet usage exist globally and your employees may have a difficult time access specific Web sites or even using IP messaging and VoIP applications via a local network. However, because a VPN provides a tunnel between a physical location and server located elsewhere in the world, workers can bypass restrictive access in these locations by appearing to be connected to the internet from the physical location of the VPN server.
Increase Productivity by Reducing Vulnerabilities
Chances are your employees are mindful of their internet usage while outside of the home office if your company allows for remote working or requires employees to be accessible while traveling. Training and policies guide this mindfulness, and an employee who is worried about finding and using a secured connection may not be as productive as the employee who has peace of mind through a secured VPN connection.
Provide Your Clients with Peace of Mind
If your company collects client data, you want to make sure you have a way to protect that sensitive data. The encryption and security of a VPN does exactly that, and your company can report, with confidence, that client data is secured from hackers. Additionally, if your company offers free WiFi to its customers, you can use a VPN to secure the public network and give your customer’s additional peace of mind while they browse the internet at your location.
VPNs are surprisingly affordable and add that layer of security that is extremely beneficial to companies of all sizes. Implementing a VPN strategy for your remote and traveling employees as well as centralizing multiple offices is fast and efficient in boosting security protocols. It is critical that you also inform and train all employees on why your company is implementing a VPN. A well-informed employee is far less likely to cause an unintentional data spill so your company and client’s sensitive information will remain safe and secure.
