More people are now working from home than ever before. This started with the COVID-19 pandemic, and now people continue doing it due to personal preference or the fact that they work for a global organization. For the first time, many firms are expanding their reliance on remote workers. As a result, they’ll have to make new networking decisions.
According to a recent study from NetMotion, organizations are shifting their VPN services to the cloud in order to better assist their workers who work from home. But, what exactly is a cloud VPN?
What is a cloud VPN, and why do businesses use it?
A cloud VPN, also known as a virtual private network as a service or a hosted VPN, is a new form of VPN technology that is optimized for cloud use. When employees worked outside the office until recently, they would often utilize a VPN to securely access any apps, data, or files they required from the company’s servers.
However, as new cloud technologies have arisen and remote work has grown, many firms have shifted away from in-house data centers and toward cloud. As a result, when a company’s apps and data are all stored in the cloud, it no longer makes sense to employ a typical VPN to connect remote workers to the physical office.
More significantly, since traditional VPNs were never meant to interact with cloud settings, they do not provide enough security protection. As an alternative to traditional VPN, a cloud VPN service increases security and can enable a company’s cloud infrastructure to become more secure.
The main features of cloud VPN
A cloud VPN establishes a secure link between your employees and your virtual private cloud (VPC). A VPN gateway at one end encrypts traffic and information sent between the two, while another VPN gateway at the other decrypts it. The following are some of the benefits of using a cloud VPN:
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It gives the cloud network an extra layer of protection
Users are linked via an Internet Protocol security (IPsec) VPN connection rather than a public internet connection when they use a high availability cloud VPN. This offers an extra layer of network security while also decreasing network latency. Protection against public internet connections is essential for remote work since remote workers make use of public internet connections frequently.
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It can encrypt shared files
The fact that cloud VPNs encrypt and decode data at both ends of the connection makes them extremely safe. A VPN gateway is located at either end of the VPN and is connected via a secure cloud VPN tunnel. Data is encrypted by the first gateway and decoded by the second, ensuring that data is entirely encrypted even if the VPN tunnel is hacked.
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It allows secure remote access
Employees who utilize a cloud VPN can download the program on their computer or mobile device, or they can use their browser to access their company’s VPC. This may be done from anywhere, and unlike typical hardware-based VPNs, it does not require access to the company’s on-premises network.
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It facilitates the management of automatic IP and whitelisting
Organizations can use a cloud VPN to whitelist and segregate their workers’ access to certain cloud resources. They can also issue static IP addresses and automatically whitelist particular Internet Protocols (IPs). As a consequence, organizations can protect themselves from possible dangers by limiting access to data, files, networks, and systems to only trusted people.
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It enables you to work safely when traveling for business
While on a business trip or working overseas, it’s obvious that being able to connect to Wi-Fi and keep up on emails is critical. While public Wi-Fi hotspots at airports, hotels, and cafes are handy, they can be risky both professionally and personally.
The reason for this is that these networks are absolutely insecure, leaving your personal information unprotected and increasing your chances of falling victim to identity theft. With a cloud VPN, you can rest certain that all of your company’s and sensitive financial information, as well as your personal, is secure.
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It requires no need to install software
A cloud-based solution eliminates the need for the organization to install and maintain software on workstations. The VPN provider takes care of the entire process, so the business doesn’t have to worry about continuing maintenance or hardware updates to improve the service.
If your company’s IT team is already overworked due to the number of tasks they face on a daily basis, this relieves some of the burden while still providing the desired configuration. As a result, the organization has a happier IT team and the capability it requires.
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It is easily scalable
Since the cloud is a software-defined resource, scaling up or down as needed is as simple as a few mouse clicks. Maintaining competitiveness in a fast-paced market necessitates swift adaptability. In today’s corporate environment, one way to move ahead is to take advantage of unexpected possibilities; thus, it’s critical to make use of this flexible arrangement.
Use cloud VPN to stay ahead
Nobody knows what the technological world will look like in a few years, especially in terms of security. With a cloud VPN service, you can stay ahead of any possible problems.