The hybrid work paradigm is sticking around as more businesses have become more flexible with where their employees work. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, expectations have shifted among workers as they realize they can be just as, if not more, productive working from outside the office. With these changes underway, a reliable and secure remote access strategy should remain at the top of the list of IT objectives, as many employees now want to be able to accomplish their tasks from their living room to their local cafe.
Let’s examine how security concerns have become more important since the rise of hybrid and remote working and why remote and hybrid workers should use the best free VPN.
A pandemic of a shift
With the COVID-19 epidemic, the entire work ethic has undergone a lasting transformation. Many companies have decided not to return their workforce and downsize office space. On top of this, many businesses have discovered that employees are very productive when working from home, with higher employee satisfaction and happiness.
To ensure safe remote access outside standard secure perimeter security systems, IT executives must understand a system’s internal status based on its outward output. A more dispersed workforce means a broader attack surface and more opportunities for hackers and cybercriminals to compromise the network.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the average business needed comprehensive support for remote workers since most employees worked full-time from an office. However, due to the pandemic, many organizations relied on VPNs in ways they hadn’t in a long time, exposing weaknesses and aging components of the functionality.
Top VPN providers have upped their game in response to the demand for better security and protection for remote and hybrid workers. With that being said, why should remote workers use a VPN?
Understanding Virtual Private Networks
First, let’s break down how VPNs work. A VPN can help you enhance the productivity of your hybrid and remote employees. VPNs offer a secure network over which your employees may communicate, surf the web, and use the company’s servers without jeopardizing their privacy. VPNs provide security by encrypting user traffic and disguising the user’s IP address from snooping eyes.
When a device is connected to a VPN, it behaves as if it is on the same local network as the VPN. The VPN will route device traffic to and from the intended website or network through its secure connection. This enables remote users and offices to access a company network or website safely.
Why remote and hybrid employees should use a VPN
Protection from hackers
Hackers may be found all over the internet. Usual security safeguards must be revised, especially for businesses with remote staff. You risk losing important corporate data such as financial records, customer information, passwords, and login information if even one of your employees is hacked. You must permit VPN use to safeguard your personnel and prevent them from hacking threats.
Safety when using public WiFi
The benefit of a remote workforce is that they may work from any place, including coffee shops, libraries, and other locations, but there is a catch. The free WiFi your remote employees may use might endanger your company’s cybersecurity.
Hackers may easily steal unencrypted data, set up phony WiFi hotspots, and even mimic otherwise safe websites using open public networks. With a VPN, your employees may connect directly to the corporate network via an encrypted tunnel, reducing the danger associated with public WiFi.
Securely access the company network.
Business information may need to be more important to communicate via an unprotected connection. A VPN gives employees access to internal IP addresses, local servers, shared files, and remote machine access. A secure network enables remote employees to have easier access to the resources they require to conduct their jobs without putting the business at risk.
Provide a better work-life balance.
Workers flourish in a variety of environments. Some people operate in fast-paced surroundings, while others prefer a quiet area to concentrate. Eliminating the need to commute to and from the workplace saves time, allows for more flexible work schedules, and provides employees greater control over their work environment. A VPN allows all corporate procedures to run regularly and securely regardless of where your personnel is located.
Keep productivity high
Your employees may work from home, a coffee shop, a beach, or a hotel using a VPN, and you never have to intervene due to security concerns. Employees that feel satisfied and in charge are more productive. Strong VPN networks can also prevent ISPs (internet service providers) from restricting a user’s capacity while visiting specific websites, significantly enhancing browsing speed and efficiency.
Conclusion
VPNs are an excellent tool for businesses that allow hybrid or remote working. You can rest assured that your company data remains secure while your employees are away from the office.