When you think about cloud security, a key element that comes to mind is a VPN gateway.
Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs — offer an extra layer of security when accessing cloud services over the public internet. It provides an encrypted tunnel between your device and the cloud service, protecting your data from potential cyber threats.
Cloud VPN gateway, VPN clients, and cloud-based web applications for central management are three main components of a well-rounded cloud security strategy.
These elements work together to ensure a secure connection when accessing information or systems in the cloud.
A Cloud VPN Gateway serves as the bridge between your private network and your cloud environment, making sure that all data transmitted is heavily encrypted.
VPN clients are software or apps installed on the end-user’s device. They allow the users to connect to the cloud environment securely, essentially ‘tunneling’ their internet connection through the network’s VPN server, thus protecting the information from exposure.
Think of a cloud-based web application for central management as the dashboard from where you monitor and manage all of the functions of your VPN gateways and clients. From managing configurations and monitoring network usage to setting up firewalls, this centralized portal provides it all.
Related reading: Network Security Challenges: Access to the Public Cloud
From the perspective of remote workers and agencies based out of different locations, a Cloud VPN is a lifeline; it allows for seamless and secure access to desired remote network systems, documents, and critical data, ultimately ensuring continuity in business processes.
Being accessible from anywhere through any internet-based device, a Cloud VPN not only boosts business efficiency but also adds a security blanket to counter potential cyber-attacks.
Be it coffee shops, remote offices, or your personal living space, a Cloud VPN ensures you can operate in a secure digital atmosphere.
Must read: 5 Steps to Improving Your Cloud Security
Imagine this – you’re sitting in a bustling cafe amidst peculiar Wi-Fi networks. Suddenly, somebody tries to intrude into your sensitive business data stashed in the cloud.
This is where cloud VPN steps in.
A Cloud VPN creates a secure network tunnel for your data to move through safely, encrypting your information and safeguarding it against any possible cyber-attacks.
It also authorizes accessibility, which means only specific people have the right to the documents, eliminating the risk of insecure access.
It provides a barricade of unwanted access and illicit manipulation. Therefore, no matter the location or device, your data remains secure.
The different components of a Cloud VPN combine to form a compelling defense system for managing, protecting, and accessing data in the cloud. Whether it’s monitoring network traffic, safeguarding data, or managing user access — the system does it all.
It is essential to understand that while both serve the purpose of fostering secure online connections, there are fundamental differences between them.
A regular private VPN primarily serves individual users. It is used widely by individuals who often need to secure their privacy while surfing on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks or in geo-blocked regions.
On the contrary, a Cloud VPN, at an enterprise level, is crafted for corporate use. It adapts to larger organizational needs by allowing employees remote access to the company’s secure internal network.
Private VPNs typically have preset limits on the number of virtual servers an individual user can switch between. However, a Cloud VPN provides unlimited server accessibility in its framing, providing broad and unhindered access based on organizational needs, across various geographies, without fearing bandwidth or geo-blocking restrictions.
An individual VPN establishes a tunnel from a user’s individual device to the VPN server and thus to the internet. The encryption algorithms tend to use AES 256-bit encryption, which, while robust, is relatively standard.
In contrast, Cloud VPNs involve establishing secure connections between corporate networks and the cloud. They often use advanced encryption protocols, occasionally customized to the organization’s specific security configurations and prescriptions, ensuring a higher and more stringent security level.
Personal VPN services mainly focus on masking the activities and data involved in individual web browsing and sometimes offer some other benefits such as protection from viruses or malware.
Enterprise Cloud VPNs, on the other hand, focus on securing critical business data and facilitating secure inter-office networking over the cloud. They not only allow multiple users from various geographic areas to collaborate in a safe environment but also offer advanced features — like split tunneling, kill switch, and multi-factor authentication mechanisms.
Private VPNs are generally cost-conscious solutions for single users, with variable plans spanning from monthly to multiple-year tenures suitable for a single or limited number of devices.
Enterprise Cloud VPNs, in contrast, structure their pricing plans based on usage, bandwidth requirements, and scales of the enterprise. These VPNs are part of scalability solutions offered within the larger umbrella of cloud-computing services.
In essence, Cloud VPNs and regular private VPNs serve similar cybersecurity purposes with differing target users — individuals versus organizations.
In this section, we explore some important benefits a Private Cloud VPN service offers to businesses.
Cloud-to-cloud routing and dynamic VPN gateways cloud routers ensure secure and private network connections, safeguarding sensitive data and corporate intellectual properties. Think of this as a lockbox that covers your assets during their journey across the web.
Related reading: Types of VPNs and How to Pick the Right One For You
Powerful remote access with a CloudVPN gateway can lead to significant cost reductions like eliminating the need for leased lines, minimizing costs associated with hardware and infrastructure, and reducing ongoing management and overhead costs.
A remote access VPN establishes connections between individual computers or tools and a privately held network, rather than bridging across sites via gateways. Therefore, every device that wishes to use this particular VPN arrangement must have the corresponding VPN client application onboard.
VPN Gateway – Virtual Networks provide a fundamental feature required by enterprise customers: a secure and trusted access junction between their private onsite network and various office locations.
For instance, a large-scale manufacturing company with branches all over the globe can mount an encrypted VPN, allowing quick, secure access to software on the enterprise cloud while promoting seamless inter-branch communication and coordination.
In this section, we will delve deeper into the process of implementing a dynamic VPN gateway.
To create a private VPN on the cloud invest in an Enterprise cloud VPN and/or cloud VPN solutions.
Avoid simple setups and turn toward ones that cater to organizational scaling requirements, extending their protection well beyond employees working within the official premises.
Below are some key steps to setting up an enterprise Cloud VPN solution.
Do you require frequent and safe inter-office networking? Is your team geographically distributed? If so, setting up a stable and secure environment becomes paramount.
A sound IT strategy involves long-term planning, so integrate the Cloud VPN solution right away. This approach ensures your organization doesn’t compromise security in the eventual technology scale-up.
Seek professional advice on the selection, deployment, and maintenance of Cloud VPN in alignment with the organization’s current and future needs.
Implement the Cloud VPN in your organization. This process may involve technical steps such as setting up networks, configuring and testing the VPN, establishing users, and securing the channels.
After setting up the VPN, create individual profiles for each employee in the organization. Then, communicate to your employees the importance of using the VPN and guide them through a considered and detailed setup process.
Equip your employees with the knowledge and expertise on how to make the most of the Cloud VPN. Arrange ongoing cyber awareness and data security training sessions to boost its use and continuity.
Develop and enact a robust security policy that encompasses the use of the Cloud VPN. Ensure all employees are familiar with it and explicitly detail expectations surrounding data security and compliance norms.
Regularly monitor for any vulnerabilities in your VPN system and ensure on-time updates for seamless, secure communication and connectivity. Remind users constantly about updating their VPN for optimal performance and security protection.
From GDPR, HIPAA, or the Data Protection Act in GDPR areas — understand the area-specific regulations and conform your VPN services accordingly. Regularly conduct compliance audits to ensure the management and utilization of data align with these obligations.
What ifs are crucial in VPN management. Backup VPN lines or secure remote logging, scheduled backups, parallel servers, and DR sites — all will fortify your VPN resilience.
Keep periodic checks, audits, and upgrades of infrastructure, configuration settings, user privileges, and security measures in place.
From time to time, measures should be taken to monitor potential vulnerabilities and maintain a robust cloud defense position.
For example:
When selecting a provider offering dynamic VPN gateway cloud services, there are certain features you can’t miss. Like:
Perimeter 81’s VPN as a Service comes with all the above features — offering a holistic security blanket for all your enterprise needs.
What service level agreements (SLAs) the provider offers in terms of uptime and reliability is another critical factor. Be it no downtime or minor glitches, they should be able to solve these intricacies quickly. It’s not just about taking the services from them; it’s also about their commitment to serve.
Last but not least, does the provider offer a user-friendly management interface or APIs for integration with existing systems?
Perimeter 81 offers an intuitive, business-centric interface, making the transition to their cloud VPN stress-free for even the least tech-savvy individual in your organization.
