If you have spent time on the Internet during the past years, you have probably heard of VPN or perhaps already been using it. A virtual private network is a service that offers an extra layer of security when it comes to Internet browsing, working remotely, streaming, or connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.
However, apart from benefiting individuals, the service is convenient for companies and businesses, regardless of their size and field of work.
If you are still considering whether you should get a VPN subscription for your business, you came to the right place. Let’s go through all the benefits of using a VPN at your workplace or while working remotely.
1. Allows a safe connection to public networks
Sometimes you or your employees want to take the work out in the fresh air or get some job done while waiting for a flight or staying in a hotel. Even though public Wi-Fi networks are convenient and free, they come with a safety risk and are an easy target for hackers.
Using a VPN to log into and then anonymously connect to a public network keeps valuable data such as passwords or account balances away from unwanted peepers.
Keeps your company’s network secure
Whether your company has just recently started with the practice of working from home or remote work has always been its modus operandi, VPN allows all the employees to access a shared company network safely.
It will also ensure that all the data and communication within the network remain secure and protected from unwanted hacker attacks.
Bypasses geo-blocking
If you are working while taking a trip, it can be frustrating to see that some of the websites, plugins, or software you need access to are blocked in certain regions. Using VPN, you can set your IP address to appear like it is located in any other area where the content is available, making it easy for you to access.
Protects transactions
Since VPN makes your outgoing traffic anonymous and uses encryption, every financial transaction will be protected, whether connected to a home or public network.
It makes it easy to access all your business’ network devices
Even if you are working from home, VPN allows you to access any device part of your business’ network, such as drivers, printers, and servers.
You can also set a particular business control option so that some information is available only to a specific group of employees who will need to verify their identity.
It serves as an affordable solution to your security
VPN is a budget-friendly solution that will do wonders for your company’s network security and the cyber security of its employees. Most VPN packages offer affordable subscriptions that are effective and a great addition to your business’s online activity.
There are many different vendors offering a variety of features. Meeting the diverse needs of your business can be achieved with this solution from Citrix, Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks, and Pulse Secure. Besides choosing a good VPN solution, you can consider adding an extra layer of security to them. If you choose to use a Fortinet Fortigate VPN, you can enable multi factor authentication on it. Fortinet MFA is a highly effective way to secure VPN remote access. However, there are some basic requirements that you’ll need to follow to make sure everything works correctly. These requirements include FortiClient Enterprise version 4.0 or higher. FortiClient version 4.0 or higher on both devices (FortiGate and FortiClient).
Conclusion
Since 65% of all cyberattacks are aimed at small to medium businesses, getting a VPN subscription can be crucial in establishing a more secure business network. Apart from security, VPN benefits team members, whether they are full-time employees, freelancers, or remote workers.
However, it is essential to know that VPN does not offer protection from viruses and malware, and you still need to be cautious about which kinds of websites you access.
Every Internet user is responsible for their online activity, and no service offers complete protection from suspicious websites, sketchy emails, and online scams.