The shift to remote work settings has transformed how people approach their jobs, making the Internet essential for nearly every aspect of work. However, this transition has also increased the risk of cyber attacks. With more individuals accessing sensitive information from various locations, the lines between privacy and vulnerability have never been more blurred.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have emerged as an essential tool to safeguard internet connections. But it's not just about protection; there are numerous additional benefits that a VPN can provide, especially for remote work. In this blog, we will explore the top benefits of a VPN in remote work and how it can help heighten cybersecurity for businesses.
A VPN is a service that provides an extra layer of security when navigating the Internet. It works by creating a private, encrypted tunnel between your company’s devices and the Internet, making business data and sensitive information much harder to track or steal.
Connecting to the internet through a VPN reroutes your internet traffic through a secure server in another location. This masks your remote employees’ IP address, making it look like they’re browsing from the server's location rather than their own. Data shows that 80% of people use VPNs for increased security.
Additionally, a VPN doesn’t depend on a particular network. Once a VPN is installed on a device (desktop, laptop, tablet, smartphone), it can be used over any network.
While VPNs are a popular tool for enhancing online security, many businesses are unsure about when and why they should incorporate them into their cybersecurity plan. Here’s how you can use VPN protection for remote work:
With remote work becoming the norm, keeping your team’s online safety and productivity in check is more important than ever. To highlight why this is important, here are 12 benefits of a VPN for remote work:
Aside from their homes, remote workers can work from various locations such as coffee shops, co-working spaces, libraries, or even while traveling. When working in these places, your employees often connect to the Internet through public Wi-Fi. However, these public Wi-Fis are often less secure and more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
A VPN encrypts your internet connection, making it almost impossible for anyone to intercept your data. In fact, 50% of people use a VPN on public Wi-Fi to protect their data from potential threats. For example, if your remote employee is working from a café, a VPN ensures their work remains private, even if someone tries to snoop on their connection.
Many companies have internal systems and files that are only accessible from within the office network, often requiring employees to use a VPN. With a VPN, you can create a secure connection to your company's network, allowing your remote workers to access these resources as if they were physically in the office. So, if your employees need to use a company-specific database or access proprietary software that’s restricted to your office IP addresses, a VPN will let them connect seamlessly and securely.
Preventing data leaks can be challenging, especially when each employee is on a different network. If your employees often deal with sensitive data, such as client records or confidential business information, a VPN helps safeguard their work data by keeping it encrypted from third-party monitoring until it reaches your company’s internal network.
If your company has a team working from various locations, some tools or content might be restricted based on geographic regions. A VPN can help overcome these restrictions. For instance, if your business relies on tools or content that’s only accessible in the U.S., a VPN allows your remote workers to connect as if they’re there, regardless of their actual location. This ensures that your team always has access to everything.
Without a VPN, advertisers, websites, and even their Internet Service Provider (ISP) can track your remote employees' browsing activities, leading to targeted ads, data profiling, and potential privacy breaches. A VPN helps enhance their online privacy by masking their browsing habits, IP address, and location.
If your remote workers’ ISP detects high-bandwidth activities like downloading large files or P2P file sharing, it might slow down their connection. This throttling limits their usage of their ISP’s network capacity, even if they have a high-speed internet connection. Since bandwidth throttling can be triggered by the sites you visit or the activities you perform, a VPN prevents your ISP from seeing the data exchanged with your device, thereby stopping them from throttling it.
Sharing files with colleagues is often necessary in remote work. With VPN, files can be securely shared over long periods without worrying about data being stolen or revealed. So, if you're sending a detailed project report or confidential client data, the VPN's encryption prevents unauthorized parties from accessing these files during transmission.
VPNs can significantly enhance the flexibility of your remote work setup. It lets your team connect securely to the company network from anywhere, so they can set up their workspaces however they like without worrying about security. Additionally, using a VPN ensures that your employees won’t face slowdowns due to their specific activities, helping your remote team maintain efficient workflows and productivity.
Besides protecting your internet connection, a VPN also encrypts your communication channels, such as emails and chat messages. This ensures that even if someone intercepts these communications, they won’t be able to read the contents.
Many VPNs come with built-in features that help detect and block phishing attempts. Phishing scams are fraudulent attempts to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or financial details, by pretending to be a legitimate entity. For example, if a remote worker receives an email that looks like it’s from a bank or a colleague asking for login details, a VPN with phishing protection can block these scams and keep their credentials safe.
With remote workers using various devices to access company resources, endpoint security is essential as their personal devices can be a security risk. A VPN allows the protection of numerous devices with a single account. So, whether you are using a work laptop, tablet, or smartphone, your connection is encrypted and protected from unauthorized access, reducing the chances of a cyberattack targeting vulnerable endpoints.
Remote teams frequently depend on cloud-based platforms to store and manage critical business data. However, accessing these resources from unsecured networks without proper security can expose sensitive information to cyber threats. A VPN adds a protective layer by encrypting connections to your cloud storage, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access company data. So, even if your employees are working from unsecured networks, their access to cloud files and resources remains protected.
While VPNs offer significant benefits, they do come with challenges. Here’s a look at some of the key challenges you might face:
While using a VPN may come with some challenges and limitations, the benefits far outweigh these drawbacks. Ultimately, the peace of mind and protection you gain from using a VPN make it well worth considering as part of your overall cybersecurity plan.
Aside from the benefits of a VPN for remote work, it's essential to recognize that it is just one piece of your entire cybersecurity plan. Let's take a look at how a VPN can work within your cybersecurity framework below:
As cyber security risks become heightened, employers and employees must take as many precautions as possible, especially when working remotely.
To stay ahead of the new malware threats emerging each day and ensure the safety of your business data, Pulse Technology offers advanced cybersecurity solutions tailored to the needs of businesses. Our Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) provides a cutting-edge approach to VPN connectivity, keeping all data encrypted and secure for your remote workforce, even on public Wi-Fi. Contact us now, and let us help you deliver robust protection for your remote teams!
In addition to installing antivirus software on devices and regularly backing up critical data, a VPN can provide an extra layer of security. Learn more by emailing us: info@pulsetechnology.com.