There are many ways to connect to the public Internet and company networks, but those solutions are often less than optimal. Public Internet connections can be hacked, and even seemingly secure networks often suffer from unknown vulnerabilities.
That may be why so many security-conscious companies rely on virtual private networks to tunnel traffic between their employees and the outside world. A VPN is designed to transfer data securely from one point to another, and it is one of the best ways to direct traffic that may include sensitive personal information.
Companies often use a VPN connection to allow their employees to work from home. With the VPN in place, the security (or lack thereof) of the individual computer is much less of a factor. Since all data is routed through the VPN when the connection is made, information is much less vulnerable to snooping. The security inherent in the VPN connection allows companies – even those who routinely handle sensitive data like Social Security numbers and bank account information – to protect their data while still allowing workers to connect from anywhere in the world.
The Advantages of A VPN
Implementing a VPN solution offers companies a number of distinct advantages over other connection technologies. The main benefits of a VPN include cost savings and network stability. Companies can save money by using a VPN, since this technology is less costly than many alternatives. The technological and hardware requirements to implement a VPN are quite modest. Companies may even be able to use their existing servers to set up their VPN. And since virtual private networks are widely used, the expertise needed to manage and set one up is widely available as well. An experienced IT professional should be able to create a secure VPN with no problems.
A VPN also provides companies with a more stable network. Network stability is a major factor for employees, especially those who plan to work from home. An ill-timed outage could destroy hours of work and create a great deal of frustration. A VPN helps to avoid these problems by creating a secure and stable tunnel between the end user and the company network.
Virtual private networks also provide workers with other benefits, over and above the network stability factor and the chance to get their jobs done from anywhere there is an Internet connection. Ease of use is a major benefit of a properly set up VPN. Once the VPN has been created, all the support staff needs to do is create a simple set of instructions for workers to follow. Armed with that information, average workers can easily connect to the company network quickly and securely. Those workers do not need to understand the network architecture or programming behind the VPN. All they need to do is follow a simple set of step-by-step instructions, use their existing network credentials and have all their network resources at their fingertips.
With so many advantages, it is no wonder so many companies have embraced the VPN concept to protect sensitive business information while providing workers with a stable, safe and secure network connection. Whether it is used to facilitate employees who choose to work from home or to accommodate casual users, a VPN is a secure solution to an inherently unsecure Internet.
Network Access has been deploying and managing VPN solutions for over 20 years. Contact us today to learn how we can help!