A VPN (or in other words — Virtual Private Network) seems to be a phrase that has been thrown around quite a lot over the past year, and yet to some — it still remains a mystery. But any tech specialist would say that a virtual private network is a security tool that no small to medium sized business (SMB) can live without.

What is a VPN?

To put into simpler terms, a VPN is a service that secures your internet connection while making the user anonymous. It achieves this by replacing your IP address with the ones provided by your chosen VPN service, this gives you the ability to browse the web freely without any territorial restrictions or having your data tracked and hoarded by third parties. So basically, a VPN can be used for a number of reasons but it all boils down to the importance of data protection and easy internet accessibility.

VPN’s are generally popular amongst private users wanting individual privacy and the ability to overcome certain internet restraints. But a VPN is not only meant for private use, it is an essential part of business data protection, meaning it can greatly benefit any SMB.

Why should small businesses use a VPN service?

Every business, whether it’s a product or service, should be concerned about data and information security at all times. Why? Because SMB’s especially, are often victims or security breaches which lead to company mistrust and scandal. Clients often tend to shy away from companies that have a history with information leaks, thinking that the same can happen again, running companies out of business.

According to Ponemon Institute 2018 State of Cybersecurity in Small & Medium Size Businesses Report 2017, 61% of small and medium-sized businesses experienced a cyber attack, and the following year, 2018, this number grew to 67%. The large numbers of attacks on SMB’s indicate that they are easy targets to cyber criminals because in most cases, these companies have a lack of knowledge and tools to help prevent such attacks from happening. This is where a VPN comes in handy, as it is a simple tool that any business can easily maintain, whilst having data protection.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if your business provides BYOD (bring your own device) policies, remote work possibilities or occasional business trips, a business VPN will provide you with the extra security that you need. In all three cases, sensitive data is exposed due to fishy public WiFi or personal belongings (laptops, pc’s) being used out of the office where all data is put at risk.

Benefits of small business VPN

Sometimes it’s difficult to determine whether you need a basic VPN or look for business VPN solutions. If you have a SMB, you should be open to the possibility of purchasing a business-oriented VPN service and this is why:

One of the most basic benefits of VPN for business users is the fact that a VPN is one tool that provides multipurpose security. This means that if a small business does not have a dedicated tech team, it can still use this basic security software because of its low maintenance status, while still achieving high level security results. Also, business VPN services usually provide companies with dedicated account managers and 24/7 customer service, meaning that any occurring problems can be solved without any external help.

Another thing, personal VPN providers offer numerous device connections (usually 5 or 6), whereas VPN’s for business can offer you a number of accounts and device connections depending on how many employees there are. This provides the ability of personalisation, price flexibility and centralised billing.

Based on these benefits, the top recommended VPN’s are NordVPN Teams and Perimeter 81. Both perfect for SMB’s offering secure encryption solutions, account management and 24/7 support.

Business VPN’s are there to provide data security for companies dealing with any kind of sensitive information. It has now become an inexpensive software tool accessible to small businesses, making it easier to prevent cyber crime. So make sure your business is well-equipped and feeling secure.