7 benefits of a VPN for business

Why are VPNs important for a business?

VPNs are important for businesses because they help protect your sensitive information by keeping online activity private and secure. One of the key VPN benefits is that it encrypts your internet connection and changes your IP address, making it much harder for threat actors to spy on your online activities.

Also, not everyone works from the office all the time. Many companies have remote or hybrid structures that allow their teams to work from home. Some employees need to travel for business, which means they may need to work online from public places like cafes or libraries. However, when your team is working remotely, they may not always have access to a secure Wi-Fi connection. 

This is where a VPN can help. Employees can use a VPN while working from anywhere, which helps create a secure connection between the device and the VPN server. VPNs are also helpful for freelancers or contract workers who always work remotely. 

What are the main benefits of using a business VPN?

Setting up a VPN for your business is an easy way to keep your team’s online activity safer. Let’s take a look at some of the top VPN benefits for businesses and what you can do with them to improve security, flexibility, and compliance.

1. Encrypt data in transit

A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server, which keeps your online traffic safe as it moves from one place to another. This feature means that even if a hacker were to intercept your connection, they wouldn’t be able to see what you’re doing. 

2. Secure any internet connection

You can use a VPN with virtually any internet connection. When your entire team has VPN access, they can work more securely from anywhere. Whether your employees are working from home, a local cafe, or even the airport, their digital security will be improved. By investing in business VPN solutions, you can offer flexible working arrangements for your employees without compromising your security. 

3. Avoid censorship

Some countries restrict access to certain social media platforms, news organizations, or other websites. This situation is most common in the Middle East and Asia, although many countries around the world censor content which does not align with their regimes. 

If you travel to these countries, it could be very difficult to work remotely due to online censorship. However, a VPN allows you to use an IP address from a different country and avoid censorship. This feature will allow you to access the content you need regardless of your location. 

4. Comply with data privacy regulations

Depending on your location and industry, you may need to comply with data privacy laws and regulations. For example, companies handling data of European individuals need to comply with GDPR standards 

5. Provide secure connections for your customers

Some public-facing businesses, such as restaurants, shops, or medical providers offer internet connections to their customers. With a VPN, you can create a safe public Wi-Fi connection for your business and help your customers stay safer online. 

6. Maintain easily

VPN servers are maintained by third-party providers, so your business doesn’t have to invest in on-site hardware. Because most of the maintenance is handled by the VPN provider, you won’t have to do much to keep your connection running smoothly. If you do encounter a problem, you can contact customer service to get the support you need. 

7. Use on many devices

VPNs are compatible with many different electronic devices, including desktop computers, laptops, and smartphones. This means your entire team can use a VPN, no matter which device they prefer to work on. 

What are the limitations of business VPNs?

Although VPNs offer many security benefits for businesses, they do come with some limitations. Most notably, a VPN can slow down your internet connection. It’s important for businesses to be aware of these limitations before installing a VPN. 

1. Can slow down connections

The biggest drawback to using a VPN is that it can slow down your internet connection. This is because the VPN takes the extra steps of encrypting your connection and routing it through a remote server, which results in added latency and connection speed drop. In most cases, the impact isn’t very noticeable. However, it can be frustrating when using a VPN for streaming or other high-bandwidth activities. 

2. Some sites block VPNs

Some websites will block IP addresses associated with VPNs. Streaming services, in particular, often block VPN IP addresses due to having different content libraries in each country. Some online banks and retailers also block VPNs. These blocks could be frustrating if you need to access these sites as part of your job. 

3. Won’t protect against all threats

Although VPNs are very effective at keeping your internet connection more private, they won’t prevent all cybersecurity threats. Many hackers have developed sophisticated strategies that work around VPNs and use other methods to enter your systems. 

What is the difference between business VPNs and private VPNs?

Business VPNs and private VPNs perform the same function because they encrypt your internet connection and mask your IP address. However, they are designed to be used in different contexts. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between a business VPN and personal VPN.

Benefit your business by using a VPN

A VPN is a simple yet powerful tool that protects your business’s online activity. It is especially valuable for companies with remote or hybrid teams, helping employees work more securely from any location. While a VPN service may slightly reduce internet speed, the benefits such as online traffic encryption, secure remote access and regulatory compliance usually outweigh the tradeoff. 

NordLayer is a powerful VPN solution for growing businesses. With NordLayer, you get scalable VPN access, as well as added security features like a cloud firewall and IP address management.