Sunshine, Productivity and VPN Access

With summer almost here, do thoughts of a VPN enter your mind when you think of working from the beach? Employers today are adapting to a Bring your Own Device (BYOD) policy in the workplace which allows employees to access information for personal and professional reasons from their own devices (phone, tablet, or laptop). BYOD leads to comfortability in how to get to that important information, and lends itself to working remotely, which can lead to a higher level of job satisfaction, but there are risks that come along with it.

We are all on the go, and increasingly mobile, which means that in a lot of circumstances, we are spending more time connecting to ever present public Wi-Fi networks. Whether you are working from a coffee shop in the City, JFK Airport or The Public Theater, my guess is that you can find a Wi-Fi connection. These public networks are usually open to anyone, and that means it is very easy for anyone connected to ‘see’ the information you are transmitting.

So how can we protect ourselves?

Deem public network access off limits if employees cannot access a secure network, and create an easy method for employees to secure the information they transmit on the network. Implementing a secure remote access system increases employee productivity by allowing them to utilize these networks almost wherever they may be.

Implementing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an important step in securing your data in an ever changing world.  Workplace policies are consistently changing, the number of cyberattacks on the rise, and innovations in technology are always evolving.

What is a VPN?

A VPN or Virtual Private Network, is a group of networks that creates an encrypted connection over a less secure network, such as the Internet.  Businesses often use this to provide a connection to company data, but you can use it to secure your public Internet connection and protect any information that you are sending or receiving.

Top Five Reasons to Use a VPN for Secure Remote Access:

  1. Allows you to log onto public networks with increased security
  2. Allows you to access files in a secure manner
  3. Makes you a more difficult target to cyber criminals
  4. Provides peace of mind for clients, donors, constituents, etc.
  5. VPN can increase profitability due to higher employee satisfaction and productivity

To take it a step further, if you utilize a Next Generation Firewall (NGFW), you can reap the benefits of always-on VPN.  This enables you to continue working securely, even if you move between the office, and a coffee shop. It works by automatically detecting whether you are on a company network, or a public network, and creates a secure VPN connection when needed.

There are a number of solutions in the marketplace that may seem secure when reading about them on the internet, but not all solutions are created equal, especially if they are free.

Contact your Account Manager directly to learn more.  If you are currently not a TNS partner, complete our contact form and select Managed IT Services as your service of choice or contact us at 203-316-0112 or 212-967-5757.

Categories: Managed Service Provider