After COVID-19, or coronavirus, businesses have adopted a new culture: Work From Home (WFH), a quite famous term in the corporate and IT sectors. Although there is a shift from WFH to visiting the office once or twice a week, the WFH culture persists, and some employees work fully remote.
With the WFH scenario emerging, employees access company resources from coffee shops, home networks, and co-working spaces, where such resources, including secret data, may be compromised.
We advise WFH employees to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on their computers to add an extra layer of security to their internet connections and help keep business data safe.
Why Remote Workers Need VPNs
When you connect to the internet from your home or a public location, your data travels through networks you don’t control. Internet Service Providers (ISPs), network administrators, and potential cybercriminals can intercept unencrypted communications. For remote workers handling sensitive business information, this creates significant vulnerabilities.
A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server, so anyone who intercepts your data on the local network cannot read it. Note that the traffic is decrypted at the VPN server, so you need to trust the VPN provider. This protection is helpful when accessing company emails, databases, financial records, or customer information from outside the office.
Beyond encryption, VPNs mask your IP address and location, providing an additional layer of privacy. This makes it harder for websites to link your activity to your real location. Note that a VPN does not stop websites from tracking you through cookies or accounts you are logged into.
Key Security Threats to Consider
Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: This happens when hackers get in the middle of your internet connection, which is between your device and the website you are visiting. They can spy on what you’re doing and even change things. VPNs scramble your connection so hackers can’t read or use what they intercept.
Public Wi-Fi Vulnerabilities: Coffee shops, airports, and hotels offer convenient connectivity but often have minimal security. Cybercriminals frequently target these networks to steal credentials and sensitive data. A VPN encrypts your traffic even on compromised networks.
ISP Monitoring: Your internet provider can see which websites you visit and may share or sell this information. For remote workers, this means business activities could be tracked. A VPN hides your browsing from your ISP, but the VPN provider can see your traffic instead, so choose a provider you trust.
Geographic Restrictions: Some businesses operate across multiple regions with different access requirements. VPNs allow remote workers to connect via servers in specific locations, helping employees access necessary resources irrespective of where they’re working.
Features to look at before buying a VPN
When selecting a VPN for remote work security, look for these features:
Strong Encryption: Look for VPNs using AES-256 encryption. AES is the encryption standard published by NIST in FIPS 197, and it is widely used by governments and financial institutions.
No-Logs Policy: Choose providers that don’t store records of your online activities. Even if authorities or hackers compromise the VPN server, there’s no data to steal if there are no logs.
Kill Switch: This critical feature automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops, preventing data from being transmitted over an unsecured connection.
Multi-Device Support: Remote workers often use laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Your VPN should protect all devices simultaneously without requiring separate subscriptions.
Fast Connection Speeds: VPNs can slow your internet connection due to encryption overhead. Premium services invest in infrastructure to reduce this slowdown. Good speed is important for video conferencing and large file transfers.
5 VPN services with advanced features
NordVPN: NordVPN offers a no-logs policy and specialized servers. Its dedicated IP option is useful for businesses.
ExpressVPN: Known for speed and reliability, with servers in 113 countries. The user-friendly interface makes it ideal for less tech-savvy remote workers.
Cisco Secure Client (formerly AnyConnect): An enterprise-focused solution offering advanced security features that works with existing Cisco business infrastructure. Best suited for medium to large organizations.
OpenVPN: An open-source solution providing maximum transparency and customization. Requires more technical expertise but offers complete control over your security implementation.
Perimeter 81 (now part of Check Point): Designed for remote teams, offering zero-trust network access and management through a central dashboard.
Though we have provided a list of VPNs, you can still research other VPN providers and compare which is suitable for you.
Security Best Practices for Remote Workers
Using a VPN is only one part of remote work security. Follow these practices as well:
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Always enable MFA on all business accounts. Even if someone obtains your password, MFA makes it much harder for them to access your accounts. Note that some MFA methods are stronger than others, and app-based number matching protects better than SMS codes.
Regular Software Updates: Keep your operating system, VPN client, and all applications up to date. Updates fix known security vulnerabilities and bugs.
Secure Password Management: Use a password manager like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden to generate and store passwords for each account. Never reuse the passwords.
Endpoint Protection: Install premium antivirus and anti-malware software on all work devices.
Secure Your Home Network: Change your router’s default password, enable WPA3 encryption (or WPA2 if your router does not support WPA3), and make sure the firmware is up to date. Also, create a separate network for work devices.
Email Security Awareness: Phishing is a major attack tactic used by hackers. Avoid suspicious emails, verify sender identities, and never click links or download attachments from unknown sources.
Implementing VPNs in Your Organization
For businesses rolling out VPN solutions across remote teams, consider these steps:
Assessment Phase: Identify what resources remote workers need to access and the sensitivity of data being transmitted. This determines the required level of security.
Pilot Program: Test your chosen VPN with a small group before full deployment. Get feedback on performance, ease of use, and any technical issues.
Clear Policies: Establish guidelines about when VPN use is mandatory, acceptable use policies, and consequences for non-compliance. Document these in your employee handbook.
Training and Support: Provide comprehensive training on VPN installation, usage, and troubleshooting. Create easy-to-follow guides and establish a support channel for technical issues.
Regular Audits: Monitor VPN usage, review logs for unusual patterns, and conduct periodic security assessments to ensure your implementation remains effective.
Conclusion
As remote work (WFH) continues, securing the organization’s data becomes mandatory. VPNs provide essential protection for remote workers by encrypting communications and safeguarding sensitive business data from cyber threats.
VPNs work best as part of a layered security approach. Make sure to use the VPN with strong authentication, regular updates, employee training, and complete endpoint protection.
Provide employees with sufficient knowledge, offer periodic tutorials, and ensure they have a clear understanding of the tools.
By following these measures, businesses can support remote work and keep their data secure.
The investment in VPN infrastructure and security practices may seem costly, but it protects your business data, your reputation, and customer trust, and it helps prevent data breaches that can cause loss and damage to the organization.
