Source: unsplash.com
Having internet access is crucial to any business, but so is online privacy. Technological growth is rapidly speeding up, so it’s best to get a heads up about any threats to your cloud that could be dangerous to your business.
In 2019, 72 percent of businesses used a private cloud, while 91 percent used a public one. However, cybercriminals are becoming craftier each day. That’s why many data breaches are happening more often. One of the best ways to help with that is using a virtual private network (VPN).
Getting To Know a VPN
So what is a VPN? It is an excellent solution to secure your business data. Moreover, any internet-connected device can access a VPN and become part of a private network.
A VPN provides a secure internet connection while encrypting online activity and stopping unauthorized access. It blocks any threat, thus preventing access to any business data or Internet Protocol (IP) address.
During the first two weeks of March, VPN usage in the US had a massive increase of 124 percent. More and more people now use VPNs to keep their business data secure and stay updated with worldwide information.
Internet service providers (ISPs) will know once a user uses a VPN. However, they could not see business and user data, social media information, credit card details, and browsing history.
3 Ways a VPN Protects Business Data
Now, let’s examine three ways a VPN can protect your business data and why it’s essential.
Access Control
Access control is one of the many benefits of VPNs. Using a VPN allows you control over who gets access to what information.
A VPN controls access by providing authority to users through the following:
- Identification: Verifying who a person or what an application is
- Authentication: Requiring a password to prove a user’s identity
- Authorization: Providing access and permission associated with the IP address or username
With network security and access control, a VPN should provide people access to what they need. If you’re using a reliable VPN provider, the network administrators do the job for you.
Remote Access
What happens when your employees work from home? A firewall can most likely protect your office network. However, employees must use the web to access apps, share files, connect to IT resources, etc.
Even now that the COVID-19 scare is dwindling, around 58.6 percent of the US workforce still works remotely. That means more employees are using their home networks when they need access to on-site resources. This can expose your network to possible threats. However, a remote VPN allows employees to securely log on to their office network, even from home.
For operating systems and mobile devices (Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, Apple iOs, Android), a VPN benefits companies with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies. Employees can access your VPN server with any device using a WiFi connection and a VPN client.
Cyber Security
One of the most salient features of a VPN is encryption, which helps provide excellent cyber security. It ensures that only authorized users can have access to data. This ensures prying eyes and hackers can’t get to your information.
VPN also has content filters that block dangerous threats, such as malware sites or phishing, to protect networks, users, and business data. One of the most common uses for content filtering is blocking torrent sites and “not safe for work” (NSFW) content.
It also protects against Domain Name System (DNS) hijacking attempts like:
- Malware Attacks
- Middleman Attacks
- Rogue DNS Server
- Cache Poisoning
- Router Exploitation
A VPN service helps prevent these attacks by protecting DNS servers and routers.
VPN is the Best Solution for Protecting Business Data
A VPN is a reliable way to secure business data and internet traffic. When searching for a decent VPN, remember that business VPNs are not the same as free VPNs.
You can use free VPNs for streaming services in another country or avoid ISP attacks. However, free VPNs can still share your personal information to increase revenue. They may stop working when there are many users at once.
The best VPNs for businesses include high-performing networks that don’t stop working with high traffic. Most also have a kill switch feature, which automatically disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection isn’t working. Additionally, they prevent IP addresses and other personal data from being shared.