Why Your Business Should Have a VPN

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What is a VPN?

A VPN — or virtual private network — is a service that ensures your connection to the internet and what you do while surfing the web is private, secure and anonymous.

VPNs were first created as a way for employees to access an organization’s private network while offsite. They’re a boon for companies who have remote workers or employees who travel frequently who need to reach the network through a laptop, phone or tablet.

How have VPNs evolved?

VPNs have developed from their original use.  While they still provide employees access to network files and a way to share and store information, VPNs offer increased security.

VPN popularity has risen with the increase of cybercrime, which has increased exponentially throughout the last two decades. The FBI’s 2019 Internet Crime Report revealed that individual and business annual losses due to cybercrime totaled more than $3.5 billion. That’s an increase from $1.5 billion in losses in 2015.

Hackers have refined their approaches, meaning network security and VPNs have had to become more sophisticated, too. Not only can you securely sign in to a company’s network through a VPN, it allows you to surf the web undetected so websites can’t track your activity. Additionally, VPN popularity has made the technology more accessible and affordable.

Should you have a VPN?

VPNs provide a variety of benefits that will help your employees work while keeping your valuable data secure.

Accessibility

The ability to work remotely is one that employees have come to expect and businesses realize they must have, if even for temporary scenarios. VPNs allow employees to sign into the network through multiple-factor authentication. They can store, share and access files within the network to keep business operations running smoothly, no matter their location.

Privacy

VPNs enable users to hide online activity and disguise their computer’s IP address, which is a string of numbers and letters that identifies an online user. That’s how websites can track your activity and use cookies. Cookies can be beneficial in making your browsing experience faster and easier based on the activity. However, it can make it easier for hackers to track and target you in cyberattacks.

Security

Cybersecurity concerns are here to stay. A VPN provides increased security from cyberattacks because it encrypts all of the data you create online. When hackers encounter encrypted data, they come up against a protective wall. Not only is your online activity encrypted with a VPN, the files you upload and download are encrypted, as well.  

Many VPN providers also offer increased security options. You can track the devices on which employees access the network in addition to limiting the devices you don’t want to connect.

Versatility

Today’s workforce operates on more than just a desktop computer. Your organization likely has a variety of devices that access your network — tablets, phones, laptops, web cameras, smart televisions, voice service devices and more. When you invest in a VPN, you ensure that all of the devices and operating systems you use are covered under the service.

Interested in securing a VPN for your business? We can help. Contact us at InfomaxOffice.com.

Misperceptions about Managed IT Debunked

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Even if you consider yourself tech savvy, information technology tasks that pop up without warning can seem annoying. If you’re not adept at navigating technological programs, necessary IT work can feel downright overwhelming.

Managed IT services — partnering with a third-party provider — can help your office regain control of your IT services. However, companies who don’t regularly work with an IT vendor may have misgivings about allowing another company access to their networks and devices.

We’ll shed light on common misperceptions about managed IT services.

Is Reactive

Is Proactive

Many companies may think working with an IT provider is necessary only in the event of a cyberattack, program failure, hardware damage or natural disaster. But reactive IT strategies leave you vulnerable to damaged equipment, security risks, financial liability and serious productivity loss.

Managed IT service providers work with your company to assess vulnerabilities before they become disasters. They can craft a proactive approach by presenting new options or changing common operations to boost security and maintain business functions.

A service provider may also develop a disaster recovery plan for your business. A thorough disaster recovery plan — or plan to get back to business as usual — is detailed and delegates tasks to a team of information technology professionals and internal employees who can restore your business’ data and systems as quickly as possible. It allows the organization to recover data, gain access to networking technology, reconnect power and repair software or hardware.

Is Expensive

Is Cost Effective

Many small businesses have switched to managed IT because they provide a variety of services and a team of IT experts. For one monthly fee, businesses that use managed IT services gain access to an entire team of professionals who specialize in specific facets of IT, rather than one professional who has to be a jack of all trades. Managed services typically cost less than it would to hire one full-time employee. Small businesses may find this a particular boon if they don’t have the budget or workload to justify hiring a fulltime IT staffer.

Another cost benefit for small and medium-sized businesses: they don’t have to worry about working with three or more vendors for all their IT support. Costs and services are consolidated to one company with predictable expenses, and you don’t face the nickel-and-dime charges that may come with using a variety of vendors.

Is for Small Businesses

Is Scalable for Businesses of All Sizes

Managed service providers can complement your existing IT team. If you have one or two IT employees on staff, the managed services team can work with them to prioritize certain projects and offer help on an as-needed basis. Working with a provider can also free up your IT staff to implement projects that were previously on the back burner.

Your business also may only be interested in help maintaining security and providing training to employees. IT providers can scale your services to your needs.

Infomax can lighten your IT workload. Contact us today about our managed IT services here.