In normal circumstances, the virtual private network (VPN) is a great tool for people who work out of the office. With the COVID-19 outbreak pushing a lot of workers out of the office, the VPN has now become an essential part of a business’ day-to-day operations. Today, we’ll define the VPN and tell you why you’ll probably need a VPN designed for business use.
What Does a VPN Do and Why Do I Need One?
The VPN is one of the most useful technologies for protecting one data source as it is sent between two places, using state-of-the-art encryption to obstruct the data while it is in transit. This means that even if hackers were able to intercept the data, it would be next-to-impossible to use it. This type of technology definitely comes in handy when you have your people out on the road or using unreliable Internet connections to send and receive sensitive company data.
The Business VPN
There are literally hundreds of choices when choosing a VPN. When looking to outfit your business with a VPN solution, you should know that there are VPNs designed specifically for individuals, and then there are ones designed to be used for business. Personal-use VPNs typically have simple designs and limited functionality (as compared to a commercial-grade VPN).
Individual-use VPNs are predominantly used by individuals to shield their actions online and protect their own data if they have to connect to unsafe Wi-Fi Networks, like those found in restaurants or at hotels. If a user likes to work from a public location, connecting to a VPN will ensure that the connection is hidden and that any data that could be compromised, isn’t.
Today’s businesses have many different needs which is why commercial grade VPNs allow for centralized management of the solution, something that consumer-focused VPNs do not. More than that, there are several different types of VPNs that have specific functions.
Two of these include remote access VPNs, which are specifically designed to preserve large file types as they are in transit, and site-to-site VPNs that are designed for use when two parties aren’t working on the same network and need extra security as data is transmitted to different locations.
Most security suites come with a dedicated commercial-grade VPN that your business can use for any specific purpose. If you would like help choosing the right VPN for your business, contact the IT professionals at Macatawa Technologies today at 616-394-4940. Our team of professionals can assist you in choosing the right VPN for your business.
