Most business transactions today occur over the internet. A study by UNCTAD states that 95% of companies are connected to the internet. Meanwhile, a Zippia report states that 73% of all US companies have a business website. Despite the rising use of the internet, only a small fraction of organizations are confident about their online security,
Rising Cases of Cybercrime
While the internet makes it simpler to do business, there is a security risk. Cybercrime has increased in recent years. In a recent FBI report, losses related to this activity were $12.5 billion in 2023. That figure was more than three times what was recorded in 2019.
The worrying statistics show businesses must adopt robust security measures to protect their digital presence. One tool that companies can use in their digital security plan is a Virtual Private Network or VPN, for short.
VPNs and Corporate Security
Most people believe a VPN’s primary role is to mask IP addresses. They do much more than that. These powerful tools encrypt data, which keeps it secure when sending it over the internet. The encryption ensures unauthorized actors cannot access this information. This security protection is especially useful in a business setting where sensitive data is shared with multiple users.
Using a VPN also ensures businesses comply with legal requirements to secure data. It is instrumental in specific industries like finance and healthcare. The role of a VPN in securing a business’ digital infrastructure thus ensures both compliance and security.
Types of VPNs Used by Businesses
There are two main types of business VPNs. These are on-site and remote access. They both do the same thing using different setups.
Remote Access
A remote access VPN lets users send data to a private network from anywhere. The user must have special software to access the network. With it, users can share encrypted data with the company’s network. The main downside of this type of setting is the end user. Each user of the software has to configure the settings.
Site-to-Site VPN
A site-to-site VPN is common in businesses with many office locations that connect to a central database using the internet. It works by encrypting data between multiple networks. With this model, users do not need any special software on their devices. One benefit of this type of VPN is that it is faster and ensures consistent data exchanges. It also ensures that security managers have more control over its maintenance.
Personal VPN Service
A personal VPN service is a VPN software that you install on your device. They help mask your internet traffic while encrypting your data over the internet.
However, they are not all built the same. For a personal VPN to be effective, it needs to have numerous servers in multiple locations worldwide. A good example of this is CometVPN. This VPN provider allows you to connect to any location worldwide using its 27 server locations via an encrypted VPN tunnel.
Main Benefits of VPNs for Businesses
Businesses can benefit a great deal from utilizing VPNs in their operations. For example:
- Early Detection of Threats
A high-quality VPN comes with security measures to detect and stop threats. The threat detection is an extra layer of security on top of their privacy boost. It reduces the chances of targeted attacks like phishing.
- Access to Restricted Content
If the workforce travels to many locations for business, they may require access to restricted content. A VPN allows them to mask their location, giving them access to crucial information when needed.
- Safe Browsing
One of the most common ways to get hacked is using public Wi-Fi. A VPN ensures that traffic sent through the public Wi-Fi is inaccessible to criminals. As a result, you can be sure that your employees are not mistakenly leaking company data while in public.
Does Your Business Need a VPN?
Most users use VPNs for online purchases. However, that doesn’t mean a business can’t use a VPN to protect payment data sent over the internet as well. Not only can sensitive information loss lead to substantial legal fines, but it can also push customers away. A business that cannot protect its data will likely lose its customers’ confidence. Additionally, it will likely have a harder time winning over business partners due to perceived legal risks.
Keep your customers and workforce safe today by adding a VPN service to your security architecture. With cybercrime on the rise and the growing importance of the internet to business processes, a VPN service is more necessary than ever to remain relevant. The long-term dividends will be worth the cost.
