Most enterprise businesses already know that remote access to corporate networks is essential. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a secure and private network that enables remote workers to access their company’s network securely. To find out everything you need to know about setting up an enterprise VPN, read on.…
When a user connects to a VPN, their device creates an encrypted tunnel between their device and the company’s network. This encrypted tunnel protects the user’s data from unauthorized access or interception while in transit.
There are several use cases for a VPN in an enterprise environment. Among them:
Each VPN comes with its own features and capabilities. But in general, they fall into three main categories:
There are two main types of VPNs for businesses:
Installed on-premises and managed by the organization’s IT staff. These VPNs provide complete control and customization over the network’s configuration and security.
Hosted in the cloud and managed by a third-party provider. These VPNs offer scalability, flexibility, and ease of deployment.
To set up an enterprise VPN, you need two main elements:
When setting up an enterprise VPN, to ensure the network is secure and reliable, it is advisable to follow best practices.
Here are the top 5 best practices to consider:
Before choosing a VPN provider, assess the number of users, devices, and locations, as well as the level of security and encryption needed to determine the best choice of VPN for your business. The level of security and encryption needed should also be evaluated to determine if the VPN provider can meet your security requirements.
Enabling MFA adds an extra layer of security to your VPN by requiring users to provide two or more forms of authentication to access the network. This can include a password, a fingerprint, or a one-time code sent to a user’s phone.
MFA makes it more difficult for unauthorized users to gain access, even if they manage to obtain a user’s password. It’s an essential security measure for any enterprise VPN deployment.
Regularly patching your VPN software is crucial to maintaining a secure VPN environment. Outdated software can leave your VPN vulnerable to known security flaws that attackers can exploit.
To ensure your VPN software is updated regularly, schedule regular updates and keep track of any new patches or updates released by the VPN provider. Additionally, ensure that your IT team is trained to implement these updates as soon as they become available.
Limit VPN access to only those employees who need it, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches.
Deploy VPNs in a Zero-trust framework – a security model that assumes no user or device within a network can be trusted. When deploying VPNs within a zero-trust framework, access is only granted on a need-to-know basis, and all traffic is thoroughly authenticated and encrypted.
It’s important to work with a VPN provider that understands and supports a zero-trust security model to ensure the highest level of protection for your enterprise.
When choosing a VPN provider for your enterprise, it’s important to consider your existing infrastructure. Look for a provider that can seamlessly integrate with your current systems, such as cloud services or on-premises networks.
Ensure that the provider can support the operating systems used by your employees and provide compatibility with any hardware or devices they use. Taking these factors into consideration will help you choose a VPN provider that fits seamlessly into your existing infrastructure.
When choosing a VPN provider for your enterprise, it is important to consider the operating systems (OS) used by your employees. Make sure that the VPN provider offers support for all of the relevant operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
This will ensure that all employees can access the VPN regardless of their device or operating system. It’s also important to check whether the VPN provider supports mobile devices such as iOS and Android, as many employees may require access to the VPN from their smartphones or tablets.
Make sure that your choice of VPN provider supports “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) policies. This will ensure that all employees can access the VPN and company resources regardless of the device they use. Additionally, the provider should have policies and features in place to ensure the security of both personal and company devices while connected to the VPN.
Ensure your VPN has strong encryption standards to protect data from potential breaches or attacks. It is important to choose a provider that offers the highest level of encryption, such as AES-256, to ensure the data is secure.
In addition to encryption, the VPN provider must have strong security features, including firewalls and intrusion detection systems, to protect against potential threats. The provider should also have strict access controls to ensure that only authorized users can access the network.
Remote support enables IT support staff to troubleshoot and resolve issues with VPN connectivity and other IT-related problems, even when employees work remotely.
With remote support, IT teams can remotely access the VPN client on an employee’s device to diagnose and resolve issues without disrupting their workflow. This can help minimize downtime and ensure that employees are productive and can securely access the resources they need through the VPN.
Some VPN providers may offer lower prices but may not provide the necessary level of encryption and security features that your enterprise needs. It is recommended to compare different pricing plans from multiple VPN providers and assess which plan offers the best value for your specific needs.
Some providers may offer volume discounts for larger businesses or longer commitment periods. Also, remember to consider any additional costs, such as setup fees or ongoing maintenance.
While VPNs are an essential tool for securing business networks and remote workforces, they are not immune to security risks. One of the biggest risks with VPNs is the potential for cyberattacks to occur due to vulnerabilities in the software. Threats like malware, phishing attacks, and other types of cyberattacks can exploit these vulnerabilities, putting sensitive data at risk. Additionally, some VPNs can suffer from DNS leaks, which can reveal users’ IP addresses and potentially their location and identity.
To counteract these security risks, it is essential to choose a reputable VPN provider that prioritizes security and encryption and regularly updates its software to address vulnerabilities. Additionally, deploying ZTNA can help enterprises stay secure by providing a more granular and dynamic approach to access control.
ZTNA is an acronym for Zero Trust Network Access. ZTNA is a security strategy that’s built on the principle of least privilege. Least privilege means that users are only given the bare minimum permissions they need to do their job – no more, no less.
This approach is in stark contrast to traditional security models, which usually rely on perimeter defenses on the premise that blanket access is naturally granted to everyone inside the organization. With ZTNA, there are ZERO trusted insiders or untrusted outsiders – everyone is treated equally, with zero trust.
Perimeter81 provides a best-in-breed ZTNA solution that offers a more secure way for remote access to company resources compared to traditional Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions. With Perimeter 81 ZTNA, users can access specific applications and services more granularly and securely without being granted full access to the entire network.
One of the key benefits of Perimeter81’s ZTNA is that it doesn’t require users to connect to the company’s network to access resources, which means there is no need to expose the entire network to potential security risks. Instead, Perimeter 81 ZTNA uses a cloud-based model to authenticate and authorize user access to specific resources while ensuring that network traffic is encrypted and secure.
With Perimeter 81 ZTNA, companies enjoy greater security and control over their network access while also making it easier for remote workers to access the resources they need to do their job.
