Securing Cloud Applications with Business VPNs  

Securing cloud applications is important for organizations today. Companies heavily rely on SaaS applications for critical operations, including data storage, transaction processing, and collaboration. 

While cloud computing offers numerous benefits, such as cost reduction, heightened productivity, and enhanced flexibility, it also requires strong cloud network security measures to protect sensitive data. 

Let’s explore how Business VPNs integrate with popular cloud platforms like Salesforce or AWS, demonstrating their role in securing cloud applications and ensuring data safety.

Quick Takeaways

• Role of VPN: VPN is integral in ensuring the security of cloud applications, creating a secure connection for data transmission, promoting seamless cross-geographical collaboration, and facilitating private network isolation.
• Data Encryption: VPN safeguards data transmission through advanced encryption algorithms, guaranteeing that intercepted data within the cloud remains indecipherable to hackers.
• Cross-Geographical Access: VPN facilitates global access to cloud resources for enterprise employees, overcoming geographical restrictions and promoting seamless cross-geographical collaboration.
• Private Network Isolation: Establishing dedicated VPN channels in the cloud allows enterprises to attain private network isolation, segregating various cloud environments and bolstering overall security.
• How Business VPNs Keep Cloud Applications Secure: Business VPNs securely connect users to a company’s internal network, protecting sensitive information from potential malicious online actors, especially for remote working.

The Role of VPN in Cloud Security

VPN is integral in ensuring the security of cloud applications as it serves as a traditional security tool.

• Data Encryption: VPN safeguards data transmission through advanced encryption algorithms, guaranteeing that intercepted data within the cloud remains indecipherable to hackers.
• Cross-Geographical Access: VPN facilitates global access to cloud resources for enterprise employees, overcoming geographical restrictions and promoting seamless cross-geographical collaboration.
• Private Network Isolation: Establishing dedicated VPN channels in the cloud allows enterprises to attain private network isolation, segregating various cloud environments and bolstering overall security.

How Does Business VPN Keep Your Cloud Applications Secure?

A business VPN operates similarly to a standard VPN but on a larger scale. It establishes an encrypted connection, or tunnel, between a user’s device(s) and the target server(s) to ensure online security. For businesses, this encrypted tunnel securely connects users to the company’s internal network, even when using a public internet connection, such as for remote working.

Without a business VPN, employees accessing a company’s network via a home public internet connection may jeopardize data and the business’s sensitive information. The exposure occurs because using the internet over a public network exposes devices and online activity to potential malicious online actors. 

However, with a VPN, an internet service provider (ISP) can only discern that the VPN was used and the bandwidth required for the connection. All other data remains concealed, including browsing history, login credentials, and sensitive information. 

The Risks & Limitations of Business VPN for Cloud Applications

Business VPN connection types, despite their popularity, exhibit security deficiencies mainly due to the limitations of the perimeter security model in delivering comprehensive protection for cloud applications.

VPN Speed:

• Internet Speed: The most critical factor affecting VPN speed is the internet connection between a device and the corporate network.
• VPN Technology: The specific encryption and authentication technologies can decrease VPN speed by enlarging data size, introducing multiple checkpoints, or rerouting traffic within the VPN tunnel.
• Data Volume: The amount of data transmitted over the VPN at any time influences speed, with high-data activities like video calls slowing it down more than lower-data tasks like text document access and saving.

VPN Security:

• Privacy and Data Protection: VPNs help secure data and maintain privacy over the internet.
• Remote Access VPNs and Site-to-Site VPNs: Organizations use these to ensure security for remote workers and branch offices.
• IP Whitelisting: Enhances security by allowing network access only to pre-specified IP addresses, reducing unauthorized access risks.

Mounting Costs:

• Shift to Cloud-Based Infrastructure: The increase in remote work and cloud adoption has rendered perimeter-based cybersecurity inadequate without additional tools.
• On-Premises NAS and VPN Use: Companies may need regular hardware updates to address evolving cyber threats or prevent overloading and system crashes due to heavy VPN usage.

The Best Practices for Securing Cloud Applications

Enterprises have long grappled with security concerns regarding cloud services, particularly the perceived insecurity of storing data or running applications on externally managed infrastructure, coupled with the risks associated with data traversing the public internet.

To safeguard their cloud applications, enterprises should adopt the following best practices:

• Understand Your Shared Responsibility Model: Enterprises should comprehend the shared responsibility model in the public cloud, where the customer is responsible for cloud security. Clear understanding and implementation of encryption, connections, and settings strengthen data security.
• Train Your Staff: Thorough cybersecurity awareness training helps mitigate the risk of cyber threats and unauthorized access to cloud applications.
• Establish and Enforce Cloud Security Policies: Clearly defined guidelines outlining cloud usage, data storage, and mandated security technologies aid in maintaining robust SaaS security practices.

Adhering to these practices enables enterprises to shore up their defenses, protect their data, and implement strong cloud security solutions and best practices for their cloud applications.

Business VPN Alternatives: Is There Something Better than VPN?

Several types of networks that provide alternatives to business VPNs include:

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): ZTNA offers brokered access to applications and data on the network, implementing the “never trust, always verify” principle to reduce the scope of data theft and breaches while securing cloud applications.
• Secure Web Gateway (SWG): SWG prevents unsecured and malicious data traffic from infiltrating the network, enforcing web visibility, URL filtering, and access control policies to enhance security across remote workstations and cloud assets.
• Cloud VPN: Cloud VPN creates encrypted tunnels between remote users and corporate networks, ensuring the security of business applications, data, and files, whether cloud-based or hosted on-premises.

Create a Bulletproof Security Strategy with Perimeter81

Elevate your organization’s security with the latest corporate VPN solutions from Perimeter 81. Our team will facilitate the seamless setup of your network, users, and resources. 

Join us for a demo and receive an Amazon Gift Card as a token of appreciation. Experience the enhanced security and performance of Perimeter 81. 

Request a demo today and move closer to a more secure and efficient digital experience.

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