What is a VPN
VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and provides security and privacy when you connect to the internet or when you remotely connect to the IT at your work.
A VPN works by creating a secure encrypted connection (often called a tunnel) from your device to where you are connecting to (your office IT or for consumer VPNs, to a server the service provides). All the data that your device sends and receives is then encrypted and sent through this tunnel keeping it safe and secure.
For consumer VPN’s they also mask your devices IP address so that the data you send and receive is anonymous and hides your location.
Difference between a consumer and business VPN
A consumer VPN is used normally for two reasons; to make you anonymous when you use the internet and to encrypt your communications so that no one can see what you are doing.
A business VPN is used for several reasons;
– to securely connect remote users to their work IT
– to ensure that only authorised users can connect
– to encrypt and secure the data that is transmitted
What are the benefits
Remote Access
Your office has an IT network. On this network, you can access printers, connect to company files and databases, transfer data, and more. The office IT network is secure and protects you and your team from IT threats. What happens when you try and work from home or another remote location? When working in the office you can easily access the office network — but when working remotely you aren’t in the office to log in — so using a VPN means when you work remotely you can log on to your office network from anywhere that has access to the internet. You will then have access to the resources you need to do your job, and your organisations data is secure.
Access Control
Access control, simply put, is controlling who gets access to what. Without proper access control, the right people might not have enough access to get their job done…or the wrong people might have too much access.
Systems within business VPNs authenticate and authorise users by evaluating required credentials — verifying that the person or application is who or what it claims to be, and authorising the appropriate access levels and permissions associated with the username or IP address.
Cybersecurity
A VPN is a great solution to secure your business data. By applying a VPN across your networks, you can make those networks much more robust and secure. Any Internet-connected device can use a VPN to be a part of a private network. Devices can range from computers and laptops, to printers and mobile phones. By using a VPN as your cybersecurity solution, you can create your own private network to conduct and establish secure communications — and you can prevent attacks that seek to alter or steal sensitive business data.
Get in touch
Does your organisation use a VPN? Would you like to discuss what options your organisation has? Please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are here to help.