If you’re a business owner, you’re probably thinking about how to protect your business from cyberattacks. With cyberattacks like phishing on the rise – and, according to leading IT analyst Gartner, costing businesses on average $5,600 per minute in damages – companies of all shapes and sizes are starting to take their cybersecurity more seriously.
One of the quickest, cheapest, and easiest ways to shore up your company’s cybersecurity is by deploying a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, to protect outbound and inbound traffic to your company.
But what is a VPN? Is it just another piece of hot tech that you don’t actually need? In this guide, we’ll explore what VPNs are, why businesses need them, and highlight some of the most popular VPNs for businesses in 2024.
What Is A VPN?
So what is a VPN anyway? How does it work?
It’s pretty simple, actually – a VPN, at its core, disguises your internet traffic by creating “spoofed” IP addresses, data packets, servers, and more. What a VPN can do is actually extremely flexible and some VPNs can be extremely complex, involving multiple layers of spoofed protection against bad actors.
In more technical terms, a VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection over a less secure network, such as the Internet. It works by routing your internet connection through a server operated by the VPN provider, which then hides your IP address and encrypts all the data that is sent and received.
In short, a VPN essentially creates a full network layer over the internet, creating a shield of protection against prying eyes. This ensures that not only is your data completely protected via encryption, but that even if someone could access your data, they wouldn’t know where it’s coming from or where it’s headed!
Why Do Businesses Need A VPN?
With so many businesses switching to remote work or hybrid work situations these days, VPNs are becoming even more and more important. Downtime costs businesses $300,000 per hour, while 60% of small businesses go out of business within six months of a cyberattack – so, yeah, it’s…pretty bad.
While a VPN is only one piece of the puzzle, it goes a long way to protecting companies from catastrophic issues that could cripple or even shutter their business entirely. By providing end-to-end protection, a VPN creates a nice, tight environment where your data is protected from all angles.
Especially when employees are working remotely or using public Wi-Fi, a VPN is absolutely essential to keeping your company’s valuable data behind lock and key. In that way, a VPN functions like a safe – ensuring that data is encrypted and protected from cyber threats.
Consumer VPNs vs. VPNs for businesses
While consumer VPNs focus on privacy and unblocking content, VPNs for businesses offer additional features such as dedicated IP addresses, team management tools, and advanced security protocols.
Business VPNs are – as you would expect – much more sophisticated than their consumer-focused counterparts. Business VPNs are designed to support multiple users and provide centralized control over access and security settings, while also allowing for more robust features like access management, cloud storage, and more.
Our Picks For The Best VPNs for Businesses in 2024
Here are some of the most popular VPN solutions for business in 2024. Note that the world of reliable VPNs is constantly changing – many VPN offerings have disappeared from the face of the earth in the past with little warning, so be ready to do your own research.
In general, you want a solution that covers multiple users, with advanced security features including end-to-end encryption. Most importantly, your VPN needs to be scalable and affordable – so you don’t saddle your company with services (and costs) that you don’t even need.
1. NordLayer
NordLayer – known for their consumer product, NordVPN, for you podcast fans – offers flexible plans with features like threat protection, two-factor authentication, and single sign-on. It’s suitable for businesses of all sizes, with custom pricing available for larger organizations.
- Pricing: Starts at $8 per user per month (annual plan)
- Website: NordLayer
Pros:
- Advanced security features
- Customizable plans
- Dedicated servers available
- Extremely user-friendly
- One of the biggest VPN providers in the world
Cons:
- Higher cost for premium features
- Customer service may not be as personal as smaller companies
2. Perimeter 81
Perimeter 81 is designed specifically for businesses, offering features like IP allow-listing and compliance tools for GDPR and HIPAA. It provides a secure and compliant solution for businesses looking to protect their data.
- Pricing: Starts at $8 per user per month (annual plan)
- Website: Perimeter 81
Pros:
- Dedicated gateways
- Automatic Wi-Fi protection
- Excellent user support
Cons:
- Limited number of shared gateways
3. TorGuard
TorGuard’s name is a spinoff of the super-secret dark web browser TOR, and they are a great VPN option for businesses needing the ultimate level of encryption and protection. Like their competitors, they offer pre-made plans for businesses of various sizes, with dedicated IP addresses and encrypted email accounts – with a massive focus on privacy. More robust than many competitors, TorGuard’s large server network and stealth VPN feature make it a strong choice for businesses for whom anonymity and privacy are paramount.
Pricing: Starts at $32.99 (one-month plan)
Website: TorGuard
Pros:
- Dedicated user management portal
- Over 3,000 servers
- Stealth VPN feature
- Extreme privacy
Cons:
- More challenging to use
- Inflexible plans
- Niche use
4. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is known for its strong security and ease of use. While it doesn’t offer dedicated business plans, its reliability and server coverage make it a popular choice for individual users and small teams.
We recommend ExpressVPN only to small small businesses, with fewer than 5 employees. Beyond that, there are better offerings at a better price. But if you just need a quick VPN for working in Thailand on vacation, then ExpressVPN will do the job.
Pricing: Starts at $12.95 per month
Website: ExpressVPN
Pros:
- Strong security features
- Easy-to-use interface
- Wide server coverage
Cons:
- No dedicated business plans
5. CyberGhost
Like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost is another consumer-focused service that offers dedicated IPs and a user-friendly interface, without the robust, scalable, company-wide plans you see from the likes of Nord and Perimeter 81. It’s a good option for small businesses or freelancers needing a simple and effective VPN solution.
Pricing: Starts at $12.99 per month
Website: CyberGhost
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Dedicated IPs available
- Strong privacy policy
Cons:
- Limited advanced features for businesses
Tips and Tricks for Using a VPN for Your Business
- Choose a VPN with robust security features such as AES-256 encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch. Most VPNs will have these but look closely when choosing.
- Ensure compatibility with your business’s devices and operating systems. What’s the point of a VPN if it doesn’t work on your platform?
- Educate your team on the importance of using the VPN and how to connect securely. This is the most critical part of the whole process, because if your employees don’t use it, why bother?
- Use dedicated IPs for accessing sensitive company resources. This can usually be done with the help of your VPN provider.
- Regularly update your VPN software to ensure you have the latest security enhancements. This is just SOP for any company these days.
- Implement multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security. We’ll cover that in a later article.
- Monitor VPN usage to detect any unusual activity or potential security breaches. Again, a no-brainer. You may consider hiring an MSP or MSSP to handle this for you, as they can provide big value down the road.
How To Pick The Right VPN For Your Business
Step 1: Assess Your Business Needs
- Determine the number of users and devices that will need VPN access.
- Identify the types of resources (e.g., servers, applications) that will be accessed remotely, along with the number and types of users that will use these resources.
- Consider the level of security required for your business data. If you need more security, go with a provider that specializes in that.
Step 2: Choose a VPN Provider
- Research and select a VPN provider that offers features suitable for your business, such as dedicated IPs, team management tools, and strong security protocols.
- Consider factors such as pricing, server locations, and customer support, in addition to everything else we’ve laid out in this article.
- You know your company best, so use that information to make the right choice for your business.
Step 3: Set Up VPN Server(s)
- If using a self-hosted VPN, install and configure VPN server software on a dedicated server or cloud service.
- For a third-party VPN service, follow the provider’s instructions to set up the VPN server(s) for your business.
- Most VPNs for businesses will have dedicated customer service and installation teams to make sure you’ve set up and configured your VPN servers correctly.
Step 4: Configure VPN Client Software
- Install the VPN client software on all devices that will connect to the VPN. Again, the VPN’s customer support team will assist you with this.
- Configure the client software with the necessary settings, such as server addresses, authentication methods, and encryption protocols. We recommend leaning on your VPN’s support team, your internal IT team, or your outsourced IT provider.
Step 5: Create User Accounts and Permissions
- Set up user accounts within the VPN server or management console, assigning usernames and passwords.
- Define access permissions for each user, specifying which resources they can access through the VPN. Note that you can change these at any time with admin privileges.
Step 6: Train Your Employees on VPN Use
- Provide users with the necessary information to connect to the VPN, including server addresses, login credentials, and any required configuration files.
- Train your team thoroughly on the proper usage of your VPN. Establish a code of conduct for using the network that you and your employees can refer to frequently.
Step 7: Test the VPN Connection
- Have users test their VPN connections to ensure they can access the required resources securely and without issues.
- Troubleshoot any connectivity problems that arise during testing.
Step 8: Implement Security Measures
- Enable strong encryption protocols (e.g., AES-256) to protect data in transit.
- Use multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Regularly update VPN software to patch any vulnerabilities.
Step 9: Monitor VPN Usage and Performance
- Keep an eye on VPN usage to ensure that it meets your business’s needs without overloading the server.
- Monitor network performance to identify and address any bottlenecks, security issues, or functionality problems.
Step 10: Provide Ongoing Support and Maintenance
- Offer training and support to users to help them use the VPN effectively. This is best done through your in-house IT team, MSP or MSSP.
- Regularly review and update VPN configurations to accommodate changes in your business or security landscape.
As always, we suggest partnering with an IT expert to guide you through the process of setting up your VPN to protect your company’s data.
Naturally, we suggest an MSP or MSSP, as they’ll have the expertise, knowledge, and experience to properly set up and tune your VPN to your company’s needs, but if you have an internal IT team, they will be just as capable of getting your company’s VPN up and running.
At any rate, we cannot overemphasize how important it is to have your company on a VPN these days. As we’ve stated time and time again, the costs of cyberattacks cripple small businesses and large businesses alike, costing companies millions of dollars in losses every year – and it’s only going to get worse.
Protect yourself and your business with a VPN, but remember, this is just one small piece of the puzzle!