Simple tips for getting the most from a VPN in your business 🖥️🌐

It is 2020 and, let's face it, it is already very common for companies to use a virtual private network, or VPN, to keep their data safe from cybercriminals. Not every company, however, is using the best strategies to get the most from the services they use every day.

We even often see firms that invest in cybersecurity infrastructure, only to put private data and information at risk by using the technology the wrong way. So Indigit has put together five very simple tips that are easy to put in place in any company, so you can get the most from this service and keep your online communications secure.

1 – Do not use a free VPN

As a rule, free services that provide virtual private networks are not suitable for businesses. They are generally slow and unreliable, which can hurt your employees' productivity.

This kind of free service usually makes money for its creators by showing advertising. Worse still, it can be profitable by collecting data your company is trying to keep anonymous.

It is incredibly easy to find a provider that charges nothing for the service, and choosing that path can indeed be tempting, especially if you have a small budget for this kind of need. Even so, even though it is free, using a VPN that is not suitable will be far more harmful than opting for a paid version.

Find out more about the dangers of a free VPN here.

2 – Ask for an annual payment plan

If you chose a monthly subscription for your VPN, know that paying annually can often mean some savings (depending on the service you subscribed to, of course). That is because there are generally discounts when you choose that payment method.

3 – Access for everyone who needs it

It is very important that your company's employees, at least those who need it, have access to your virtual private network. That way you make sure all data received and sent is encrypted and protected from prying eyes. Instead of installing the VPN software on a single machine, you can set it up on the company router; that way, every device that connects to that router will be protected.

This also stops employees, even inadvertently, from switching off the private network or changing settings when they tinker with their work computer. But beware: not every router supports a VPN, so it is important to make sure your device offers this feature.

4 – Always make sure mobile is secure

Public Wi-Fi networks are highly convenient: they let your employees work while they spend time in an airport, a café, a hotel or any other public space. Unfortunately, these networks are highly insecure.

That is because a hacker who manages to gain access to this public network can easily steal data that belongs to your clients, leaving your company with a serious embarrassment and all the costs that come with this security breach.

Besides losing potentially sensitive information, the costs of a security failure at this level can be devastating for a company, because personal data of clients may be at stake and they may invariably turn to the competition, having lost their trust.

So it is absolutely essential that your VPN provider offers you that security. Your employees should have access to the network from anywhere so that, even if they are away from the office or travelling on business, their data is always safe.

Even on a phone, every piece of information sent or received is encrypted. Make sure, of course, that your staff turn on the VPN on every laptop, tablet and phone.

5 – Limit the VPN's effect on battery life

A professional VPN keeps your data safe using an encryption process, which makes it highly difficult for anyone who tries to intercept this information.

But encryption can be a resource that uses a lot of battery life, especially on mobile devices. Running out of power is, obviously, a factor that contributes to a drop in your employees' productivity when they are away from the office.

There are various solutions that can be used to limit the resources spent encrypting data. One of them is to make staff aware that they should use the VPN only when they are transmitting sensitive information. This option, however, carries a huge risk of human error.

A more practical solution would be to change the battery and power settings on the laptop or mobile device so the devices can run as efficiently as possible.

You can also hand out power banks to your staff so they can use them when they are away from their usual workplace (on a business trip, for example).

Get the most from your company's private network

Above all, it is important to keep your online data secure. We hope these tips help your company enjoy all the advantages of having a private network suited to your needs, working in a highly secure and efficient way. If you do not yet have a VPN, get in touch with us!