Since one in four Americans continued working remotely in 2021, investing in a VPN for your office would drastically improve a company’s cybersecurity systems. Short for virtual private network, a VPN is a security service that encrypts your internet connection, safeguarding the information your employees send or receive online. If you’re not sure whether your business needs this tool added to the cybersecurity systems already in place, consider the main uses of a virtual private network and the benefits of using a VPN.
What Are the Main Uses of a VPN?
VPNs work by encrypting the connection between a device and server. This creates a secure connection that scrambles your private company data, so anyone other than the intended recipient cannot read it. As a result, VPNs can shield sensitive data from hackers and competitors alike, reducing your odds of becoming a victim of a cybersecurity attack. Considering that the cost of the average cyberattack is now more than $1 million, there is an enormous benefit for adding a VPN to your current cybersecurity systems.
You can rely on a VPN to provide secure remote access to the network in your office, allowing employees to log in from anywhere to use IT resources, data, printers, and more. This ensures they have access to the information they need when they’re not in the office—without granting the same access to strangers who may try to steal sensitive data. This capability has been especially helpful in the last year.
Pros and Cons of Business VPNs
Like any investment, it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages that come when adding new cybersecurity measures. The list of pros outweighs the cons; using an experienced team of cybersecurity experts and having a clear understanding of VPNs will ultimately help mitigate some of the problems they pose.
Benefits of Using a VPN
A VPN provides big benefits for your company. One of the most prominent pros of VPNs is the ability to offer remote access to your network from anywhere. A VPN can be used to connect multiple offices so that all workers can utilize centralized data.
Employees can use a VPN to access your company’s network when they’re traveling overseas, which is especially convenient if they’re in a country that censors important internet sites, including search engines and email providers. Using a VPN will allow employees to work as if they were still in your office location.
Of course, another advantage is the increased security your business receives when all data is encrypted through the VPN. This greatly reduces the chances that someone can steal confidential information.
Drawbacks of Using a VPN
Despite the many pros of VPNs, there are some cons. One of the biggest issues with a VPN is that you must have sufficient Internet connectivity at both ends (remote site and main office) to provide acceptable performance.
Another major VPN drawback is that some VPN providers will log data, essentially defeating the purpose of having a VPN in the first place. Unscrupulous providers may steal and sell your information to hackers.
If you don’t have a dedicated IT team to configure the VPN, you may find it challenging to integrate the VPN with your network or existing cybersecurity system. Even after you get it set up, you’ll need to manage the VPN continuously, ensuring it’s updated as required and working properly.
Get a VPN for Your Business
Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with the setup and management of a VPN on your own. You can get help from IT experts who will do it for you, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of the VPN but not the drawbacks.
At ITS Group, we can help you set up a VPN and create customized cybersecurity systems for your company. Contact us today to learn how we can help your business stay safe and accessible.