Companies have been using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for years, typically so that workers could access their desktops remotely, but in the age of big data, these systems are more important than ever before. The fact is, remote working is on the rise, data use is multiplying, and hackers are more innovative than ever before. VPNs are one of the best tools at our disposal for protecting our businesses, our data, and our clients.
Is your company armed against the constant threat of data theft? Here’s what you need to know to keep your business safe.
Are You Out There?
Did you know that 80 percent of corporate professionals work outside the office at least once a week? That’s a lot of people operating outside the protection and constraints of the typical workplace, such as multi-level encryption, firewalls, and protected servers. Though digital attacks can take place anywhere, shifting away from the office puts workers at a unique risk.
Always remind your workers to take precautions when using free WiFi on the road and invest in a VPN they can use no matter where work takes them. Yes, free WiFi is must have “ at the hotel or cafes “ but using it without additional layers of protection can spell disaster for your business. It can even be risky to use a client’s secure network without a VPN; you don’t know how well their system is maintained.
Not sure where to start when investing in a VPN? The best VPNs like ExpressVPN are widely compatible with different devices and offer 24/7 customer support so your staff can access assistance no matter where they are. ExpressVPN and other top systems like NordVPN and PureVPN work in as many 141 countries so even the most widely traveled professionals can keep their files protected.
Held Hostage
In addition to remote working, data-driven companies need to be alert to the risks that ransomware poses. Unlike traditional malware “ viruses that invade your computer and damage files, steal information, or otherwise compromise your system “ ransomware is designed to combine harm and profit. It comes in, steals data, and demands payment in return for your data. In a way, this is the black market version of the ongoing commodification of data in the business world.
Don’t be fooled into thinking antivirus software is sufficient to prevent ransomware from affecting your business. In fact, 61 percent of businesses were hit by ransomware in 2016 and those numbers are expected to increase in 2017.
And don’t think this is an FBI-esque, we don’t negotiate with terrorists situation. You don’t want to negotiate? Though some who refused to pay the attackers behind the ransomware regained some or full data access, another 13 percent lost everything.
More and more ransomware is random and behaviorally based, rather than targeted, so it can be hard to protect against “ you can’t necessarily tell if your company is at risk. This makes it all the more important to put in place VPN software, coupled with computer learning systems that can help detect potential ransomware risks.
VPNs: Your Barrier Against Data Loss
A VPN may not protect you from all possible risk “ in this era of evolving threat, there’s no such thing as complete security “ but it’s a powerful tool when it comes to allowing employee flexibility and modern business practices. The contemporary corporation isn’t rooted; it’s mobile, creative, and always transforming. The key, though, is that it has to transform cautiously, in a way that’s always aware of equally shifting dangers.
In 2017, businesses need to keep their eyes peeled for the next big thing in data danger, but if they can do this within a framework that includes vigilant VPN use, cutting edge antivirus software, and ongoing employee training, then really it’s business as usual. Business as usual is just more dangerous than it used to be.
