Guest Post | Dec 1, 2022

Image: Pixabay/Danny144

We all spend more and more time online, yet staying safe is still an afterthought for many. We are accustomed to locking our homes or cars and checking if nobody’s peeking when using the ATM. But what about securing our files and passwords while making sure that the Internet Service Provider (ISP) or any third party cannot see what you do on the web?

Ignoring online risks can be costly, especially compared to the investment you’d make to mitigate them. This applies not only to individuals but to small and big companies as well. And while the latter might have enough reserve to take the blow, one ransomware attack can spell the end of your startup. Here’s where a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for SMBs can help you out.

What is a VPN?

This online security and privacy tool enhances your safety by encrypting your internet traffic with a NASA-grade cipher. What’s more, it effectively hides your real IP address, meaning there’s no way to identify or attack your device directly. At the same time, your location stays hidden because you can connect to VPN servers from all over the world.

Most importantly, it allows a safe connection to your office’s resources, which is vital in times of remote work. After all, you probably wouldn’t want to open your sensitive business data while connected to a public Wi-Fi network in some cafe you’ve never been to before. What’s more, a reliable VPN for SMBs can protect not only your work computer but your smartphone and other devices as well.

Difference between consumer, SMB, and corporate VPNs

Just like most online services, VPNs have their target audiences and facilitate their unique needs accordingly. So when choosing a VPN, pick the one that fits your company most.

Corporate VPN is the oldest type of all three. It was created to establish connections between remote institutions, often involving hundreds of workers. Usually, that means there’s dedicated staff for managing all the accounts, even though using such a VPN for the employee is pretty straightforward – most of the complex stuff happens in the IT department.

Consumer VPN is an entirely different beast. You download the app, i.e., NordVPN, and install it on your devices, though there’s usually a limit for simultaneous connections. These VPNs are not only for safety, offering geo-blocked streaming services, lag-free gaming, and secure torrenting.

Lastly, a VPN for SMBs, such as NordLayer, is the latest type, sitting between consumer and corporate options. It might still be good for unlocking Netflix for personal use while having centralized account management. They also have more features than most enterprise-level VPNs, making them easily customizable.

4 reasons to get a VPN for your business

We’ve already mentioned some reasons why SMBs should use a reputable VPN, but here’s the a definite list with examples and explanations.

1. Secure remote access

Even after COVID-19, many companies still rely on remote work, which can create various issues. For instance, you may want to use your office printer or share files with colleagues. Unfortunately, your internal network will block any outside attempts to connect.

A VPN for SMBs lets you access the company’s resources from anywhere. And because the connection is encrypted, there’s virtually no way for a third party to intercept and decipher your traffic, which may include passwords and other sensitive data. Finally, reputable VPN providers have strict no-logs policies, meaning there’s no personally identifiable information on their servers.

2. Enhanced security and privacy

We’ve already mentioned the benefits of encryption, but a VPN for SMBs can do more than that. Some of them have ad and malware blockers to protect you and your co-workers. They can also block access to known phishing sites and even check if any of your company’s emails have leaked.

A VPN client often has a handy feature that allows connecting to a public Wi-Fi only if the VPN connection is on. As banal as it sounds, forgetting to turn on the VPN might be even more dangerous than knowing you don’t have one.

3. Controlled access

Chances are you need a keycard to access your office. But what about your internal network? A VPN with centralized control can see which users logged in and out and what they accessed. Also, it offers advanced user authentication, such as 2FA, meaning there’s not much chance that someone actually took control of your co-worker’s account.

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At the same time, a VPN lets you choose access levels for each user. That’s why a new employee or intern you don’t fully trust yet won’t be able to wreak havoc on all systems.

4. Low-cost investment

Finally, getting a VPN for your business won’t cost an arm and a leg. While corporate-level services will give you a quote, SMB owners can easily compare their options by checking the price per user and available features. The long-term VPN deal can cost $9/month or less, depending on the pricing plan.

As you can see, you won’t go bankrupt for trying a VPN for SMBs. Furthermore, the top providers have a great price-to-value ratio, meaning that enhancing your security and privacy is not something only Fortune 500 companies can afford.

Conclusion

Getting a VPN for your business is a good idea. Not only it protects your data and allows safe remote access, it also lets you monitor the workforce and control access to company resources. Furthermore, most VPNs have great compatibility, offering apps for computers, smartphones, and other devices.

To conclude, make sure you know your needs. If it’s a startup, maybe personal VPNs for everyone is enough. If it’s more than a dozen, look at the VPNs for SMBs with centralized control. And if you’re a CEO of the multi-national corporation, let your IT department do its job.

The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada’s Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org

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