According to Tech Advisory, you can think of a virtual private network (VPN) as a secure tunnel that burrows its way from your device to the places you want to go online. First, you connect to the VPN server, then your device looks like it’s connecting from that location. As far as websites know, you are sitting in the same room as the server, which could be anywhere in the world, instead of your current location.
Further, surfing through a VPN provides another advantage. The data you send and receive gets encrypted, which diverts prying eyes from hackers to government censors. What you do online stays your own business and no one else’s.
Let’s look at 8 reasons your small business in Jacksonville should consider using a VPN.
1. Heightened Security with VPN
Your company might not need private tunneling or remote access to the network. However, you probably still share aspects with larger businesses. For starters, you probably have cloud-based resources in the form of apps or data. Also, if you don’t offer remote access now, chances are your users are already asking for it.
A VPN provides secure access without the maintenance and cost of expensive routing hardware. A VPN creates a secure connection between user devices and the network or other resources they log into. For example, your Jacksonville business may use Dropbox Business or apps within Microsoft Office 365 Business Premium. Adding a VPN connection provides an extra layer of safety and security.
2. Remote Data Access
When VPNs first came on the scene, IT professionals provided VPN software to the data center for anyone needing remote access. This was necessary because back-office apps and data were stored there. Cloud-computing completely changed this model. Tools such as Google G Suite Business and Salesforce Sales Cloud have eliminated the need for a physical data center. These apps and your data are both stored and managed in the cloud. Select a VPN provider that gives your IT team access to user logins. This lets them track who’s accessing the VPNs just like an in-house VPN setup would.
3. A Workaround for Public Networks
A VPN allows you to securely access websites or portals containing sensitive information while on a public network, such as at a café or coffee shop. If you are working remotely in such a setting, you could first connect to a VPN to ensure a private passageway out of the public network to ensure your data is safe and not being observed or otherwise compromised by a man-in-the middle type of attack.
4. Geographic Independence
Some companies have employees who travel to countries that restrict internet access. In that case, users could be blocked from corporate resources they need that are located on the open web. Fortunately, if your VPN works in the area you travel in, your employees can use the Internet as if they were in the United States.
This benefit may be a stretch for some small businesses. However, for those who travel, it’s crucial. Become familiar with your VPN provider’s login and privacy policies to make sure you understand what they’re offering. If a VPN provider keeps extensive logs, that’s a lot of information that authorities could potentially get their hands on. This is a trade-off. VPN providers without extensive logs limit the monitoring ability of your IT team.
5. VPNs Are More Affordable
SMB’s can keep their users and data safe by creating a VPN service account for each user. This is very affordable and a great option for tech teams with budget constraints. In fact, many VPNs cost less than $10 per user each month if purchased through your commercial licensing plan. For this low fee, all your users can have military-level encryption of data they send. VPNs also offer secure authentication and application access. This is very attractive to small-to-midsize businesses.
6. Anonymity
There are times — maybe all the time for some users — that you want your identity to remain unknown. To accomplish this, use the VPN provider’s IP addresses to browse the internet. This gives you anonymity online. It also means hackers can’t track your activity back to your device and steal your personal data. Your privacy preference also protects the corporate network since it makes it harder, if not impossible, for hackers to breach the system.
7. Browse Content from Other Countries
If you need to access content from another country for personal or professional reasons, a VPN can help you do so. Some content is only available in the country in which it originates. With a VPN located in another country, you present an IP address from that country and gain access to that nation’s web content.
8. Better Bandwidth with VPN
Your network efficiency and bandwidth may improve with a VPN solution. Many ISPs prioritize traffic, which can create a performance drag. Because a VPN gives you anonymity, you might avoid intentional slowdowns during the encryption process.
Shopping for the right VPN is difficult if you don’t know who all the players are, and which ones are better than others. At BrightLink Technology, we help our clients in Jacksonville set up access to their environment and find a reputable VPN with plenty of options. Call us today for a complimentary analysis of your business technology and network needs: (904) 619.1966.
About BrightLink Technology
BrightLink Technologies provides professional IT Support for businesses in Jacksonville, Florida, and the surrounding areas. They specialize in backup and cloud storage for small and medium-sized businesses. Contact them today to get your business running in the cloud quickly.