What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel between a device and your network over the internet. This allows employees to securely access office resources from home, travel locations, or client sites as if they were physically in the office. VPNs also connect branch offices together, creating one unified network across multiple locations.
VPN Use Cases
Remote Work
Employees working from home connect to the office VPN to access:
- File servers and shared drives
- On-premise applications
- Printers and scanners
- Internal websites and tools
Traveling Employees
Sales teams, executives, and field workers stay connected from:
- Hotels and airports
- Coffee shops (safely!)
- Client sites
- Trade shows and conferences
Branch Office Connectivity
Site-to-site VPNs connect multiple offices:
- Shared file access across locations
- Centralized applications
- Unified phone system
- Simplified IT management
Compliance Requirements
Many regulations require encrypted remote access:
- HIPAA for healthcare
- PCI DSS for payment processing
- SOC 2 for service providers
- Industry-specific requirements
VPN Technologies
VPN Protocols
Platforms
Firewall VPN
Security Standards
AES-256 Encryption
Military-grade encryption for all traffic
Multi-Factor Auth
Password plus second factor required
Zero Trust Ready
Verify every connection, every time
Split Tunneling
Choose what goes through VPN
VPN Types We Deploy
Remote Access VPN
- Individual users connect from laptops, phones, tablets
- Client software on each device
- Supports MFA for added security
- Per-user access controls
Site-to-Site VPN
- Connects entire office networks
- Hardware-based at each location
- Always-on connectivity
- No client software needed
Cloud VPN
- Connects your network to cloud providers
- AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
- Secure access to cloud resources
- Hybrid cloud architectures
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
- Modern approach to remote access
- Application-level access (not network)
- Device posture verification
- Continuous authentication
Key Benefits
Work From Anywhere
Employees securely access office files and applications from any location.
Connect Offices
Site-to-site VPNs link branch offices as if they were one network.
Protect Public Wi-Fi
Coffee shops, airports, hotels—all traffic encrypted.
Compliance Ready
Meet regulatory requirements for encrypted remote access.
Easy Deployment
Modern VPN clients are simple for employees to use.
Mobile Support
Works on phones and tablets, not just laptops.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between remote access VPN and site-to-site VPN?
Remote access VPN connects individual users to your network from laptops and phones. Site-to-site VPN connects entire office networks together over an encrypted tunnel. Many businesses need both—remote access for traveling employees and site-to-site for branch offices.
Is VPN still necessary with cloud applications?
It depends on your infrastructure. If all your applications are cloud-based with proper authentication, VPN may be less critical. But if you have on-premise servers, file shares, or applications, VPN is essential for secure remote access to those resources.
How does VPN affect internet speed?
VPN adds some overhead but modern protocols like WireGuard have minimal impact. Typical slowdown is 5-15%. The bottleneck is usually internet connection speed, not the VPN itself. Split tunneling can route only work traffic through VPN, keeping personal browsing at full speed.
Can employees use their personal devices?
Yes, VPN clients work on personal devices. However, for security, we recommend requiring MDM enrollment or limiting what unmanaged devices can access. Zero Trust approaches can provide access to specific applications without full network access.
What if an employee's device is stolen?
VPN with MFA means the thief can't connect without the second factor (phone, hardware key). We can also immediately revoke VPN access for specific users. Remote wipe capabilities add another layer of protection for managed devices.
Do you support always-on VPN?
Yes, we can configure always-on VPN that automatically connects when devices leave the corporate network. This ensures all traffic is protected without requiring employees to remember to connect.