Top 10 benefits of cloud VPN solutions

Cloud VPN solutions: Top 10 benefits for your business

There are many good reasons to opt for cloud VPNs. We compare the most important advantages and disadvantages for you.

Even though most coronavirus pandemic measures have officially ended, many people still have the opportunity to work from home. According to Pew Research Center, a third of U.S. workers with jobs that can be done remotely are working from home all the time. 41% of those jobs follow a hybrid model with some days working from home and some coming to the office. As a result, the importance of secure remote connections remains high. This is the only way to ensure secure communication between remote workers, offices, and the cloud.

In addition to classic VPN connections (Virtual Private Network), which service providers often manage, VPNs hosted in the cloud play an increasingly important role with increased flexibility, scalability, and cost-savings, among others. Many IT decision-makers are now wondering whether switching to a cloud VPN is worthwhile for them or whether they should wait a little longer.

Cloud VPN solutions: Ten benefits from a corporate perspective

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled the top 10 benefits of cloud-based VPNs:

1. Flexibility: With a cloud-based VPN, a company can leverage its network resources and integrated cloud services from anywhere. Employees can access the corporate network regardless of their location. All they need to do is connect to the Internet.
2. Scalability: A cloud VPN from a flexible provider can scale up or down in no time to meet current customer needs. Only the costs corresponding to the respective needs are incurred with appropriate licensing models.
3. Security: Cloud VPN enables a secure connection between the company, its employees, and business partners. Encrypting data also prevents unauthorized access. Cloud-based VPNs can include additional security measures, such as access controls and personal firewalls to protect the company network and employees connected to the network from cyber threats.
4. Central management Advanced cloud-compatible VPN solutions provide a main dashboard to manage all connected devices and resources. Administrators monitor the current security status and the network's performance via the dashboard. All of this can be achieved without being physically present on site. In this way, companies can use their IT resources more efficiently and, at the same time, increase network security.
5. Convenient user management: Administrators can add or delete users or devices quickly and easily. Compared to traditional solutions based on physical devices, a modern VPN can be set up relatively quickly.
6. Cost savings: A cloud VPN saves money by avoiding physical infrastructure components as much as possible. Companies no longer need to invest in expensive routers or network hardware to ensure secure connections. Instead, they can integrate a cloud-based VPN solution, billed monthly or annually – as desired.
7. Support for a wide range of devices: First-class cloud VPNs support many different platforms found in companies on the client side. These include desktop computers, notebooks, tablets, as well as smartphones and their operating systems.
8. User-friendliness Most software clients for cloud-based VPNs are easier to set up and use than traditional solutions. As a rule, they require basic technical knowledge of the application from end users.
9. Compliance: Some cloud VPN providers offer special features to ensure that companies meet their compliance requirements. This includes, for example, compliance with standards such as HIPAA or PCI DSS.
10. Automatic updates and maintenance: Cloud VPN providers also maintain and update the VPN clients they use. For their customers, this means they no longer have to be concerned about whether their software is up to date or how to fix technical problems.

Cloud VPN: Disadvantages from a corporate perspective

Of course, all that glitters is not gold. There may be situations where a cloud VPN is less suitable:

1. Collaboration with third parties: With a cloud VPN, companies are dependent on an external provider. For this reason, companies need to ensure that the service provider can provide a reliable and secure VPN solution. It is advisable to rely only on established and trustworthy providers.
2. Availability of Internet connection: Cloud VPNs need stable and fast connections to the Internet to work effectively. If the connection of the company or employees is unstable or other difficulties occur, this will adversely affect the availability and performance of the VPN. Companies should therefore ensure that they have a reliable Internet connection. However, especially in times of fast Internet connections and good mobile network coverage, this should no longer be a problem for most users.
3. Data sovereignty and protection: Since all data transferred is routed through the VPN infrastructure of the cloud VPN provider, there may be issues with data protection, privacy, and data sovereignty. Companies must therefore ensure that they retain control over sensitive, personal, or otherwise confidential information. Therefore, working only with reputable companies that adhere to the highest data protection standards is highly recommended.

Would you like to know more about Cloud VPN? Please connect with us. We would be happy to advise you on the best VPN implementation for you and your infrastructure.