Maintaining a high level of security in today’s connected world is something that concerns us all. Even more so if you run a business or company, with the needs of employees and IT departments to consider in equal measure.
Fortunately, the use of VPN (opens in a new tab), or Virtual Private Network, is a way of creating an encrypted connection between a server and a device for a user, more correctly known as a client. This method of securing the connection between server and client has been the default option for many businesses for some time now, although there are some subtle differences between VPNs used by individuals and the corporate world.
VPN variants
Unlike a personal version, however, a business or corporate VPN (opens in a new tab) is designed to provide security for the entire business. That means meeting the connectivity needs of the company’s servers, which need to have their data protected, as well as the workers who need access to the network. This can also cover employees who work in different locations, perhaps externally, as well as those who use a hybrid working arrangement.
VPNs can basically be divided into two different types. The first type is a personal VPN. This is when a person subscribes to a service, which then provides the software that can create the encrypted connection. A personal VPN is usually used to provide anonymity and privacy (opens in a new tab) for an individual when they are online. The options for VPNs of this type are many and varied, but usually come as plans that can protect single users or multiple people and devices in a household scenario.
The second type of VPN is a business VPN. Most businesses have internal networks, often with servers that give multiple users access to systems, applications and everyday workflow tools. This scheme is provided by the company so that the work can be carried out, and gives access to resources such as databases and software. In many cases, this is hosted on the company’s internal network. This quite often also includes access to a company email account.
Corporate VPN security and remote access
Business owners are therefore faced with the common challenge of being able to allow external access to internal company networks, while maintaining a high level of security. The other issue is preventing corporate data from being hacked as it travels to and from a corporate infrastructure.
However, there is a solution thanks to a type of enterprise setup called Remote Access VPN (opens in a new tab), which can support this activity. It is particularly suitable for remote workers who need access to a corporate network wherever they are. With more and more employees enjoying the benefits of a hybrid work environment, using a Remote Access VPN makes more sense than ever.
Several places
Similar challenges also apply to larger businesses with several offices, only on a much larger scale. Large companies must maintain constant communication between many different locations and often keep in touch with thousands of employees as well. These additional workplaces can range from a satellite location right up the block, or another campus located in another country on the other side of the planet. The enterprise VPN that can be applied to this multi-location situation is known as a site-to-site VPN.
Pushing this even further has been the recent effort to support remote workers. This allows all employees, even those working remotely, to have access to the same identical company resources. This often includes being able to use common workflow tools like corporate instant messaging, along with status apps to show employee availability. The company’s VPN makes it possible to use all these tools in a secure way, while avoiding man-in-the-middle attacks.
Ease of use and management of corporate VPNs
IT departments have much more flexibility when it comes to using a company’s VPN setup. The system can be configured so that each employee can access the network with their own unique login information.
However, to have a higher level of security than the simple login information provided by a username and password, a two-factor approach with a security token is often used. These tokens can be a physical token, or a software token, such as a smartphone app. This is a much safer and more secure way of working and is particularly useful for companies that have many employees, who all work from a number of different locations.
Unlike a personal VPN, which focuses on privacy, a business VPN is set up with an administrator at the helm. This ‘superuser’ can then have control over who has access to the network. This has obvious advantages when it comes to online security, but, in addition to its appeal for IT departments, is the way the administrator can access the logs of the users online to track and monitor activity.
Knowing the differences between your VPN options is critical to deciding which one to use. While the best VPN for personal and small business use may be good for individual users, or companies with a handful of employees, it is the power of the enterprise VPN that needs to be looked at to be able to protect the data of an organization. From growing start-ups to well-established companies; everyone can benefit from arming themselves with the best business VPN they can afford.
Protect your online privacy with the best VPN services (opens in a new tab).
