Secure Access for the Mobile Workforce: Best Practices for Corporate VPN Solutions

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Secure access to the company network is the prior concern of enterprises. Since data loss costs the companies tons of dollars, adopting at least one cyber security solution became mandatory. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and is a prominent secure access solution.


Data security

To provide a secure environment for your employees and clients, you must consider data security first. Every year, even famous brands struggle with cyber attacks and data leakages. When they cannot protect their client's private data properly, they lose their clients and therefore their market value. Being a successful and significant company now requires different features. Besides the common marketing and corporation strategies, they must pace up with modern cyber necessities.


Modern businesses and their cybersecurity requirements

The very first reason is that work models have been changing. Especially in the post-pandemic era, we know that most companies switch their work models to remote or hybrid work. Digital nomads, who work from anywhere in the world changed the companies' point of view on security. Now, they can not rely on legacy protection solutions. Moreover, the mobile workforce also hasn't a specific work location so they increase the risk of data breaches. First, they connect to the company resources by dialing public wifis. Public wifis are not reliable and they are more prone to cyber-attacks. On the other hand, some mobile employees use their own devices for company work. It means that employees have discretion on mobile device security. They can neglect updates and protective software.

What we understand from the aforementioned explanations, modern corporations need an extensive and elaborate security plan to protect their business. Here, we will explain some living security solutions: VPN, Zero Trust Security, and device posture security.


1. VPN solutions for corporations

Although starting to be utilized in 1996, VPNs still protect their popularity. The reason is VPNs' multifunctionality. A VPN, by creating a virtual tunnel to provide secure and encrypted data transfer, protects the company's data resources. VPN tunnels encrypt data so third parties can not access confidential information. On the other hand, VPNs offer data, network, and device protection at the same time. Even though VPNs have been used by individuals to access restricted websites or content, their importance for corporations is undeniable.

Data traffic in a moderate company poses a risk to the security of the data resources. It is impossible to control the whole data exchange for the IT managers. Here, VPNs show up and demonstrate a great way to secure data traffic in companies.


Remote access VPN

As you can infer from the name, remote access VPN is specifically used for remote access security. Although that type of VPN carries the fundamental features of any VPN, it has more solutions which focus more on remote access to resources.

Regardless of their location, the mobile workforce can connect to the office network without compromising data security. Since remote access increases the attack possibility, remote access can create an enhanced security wall against threats. As a business manager, you don't have to fall victim to data breaches just because you have a remote workforce. By adopting a moderate remote VPN solution, you can control access behaviors. Safeguarding data access is the main step toward total data security. If you are certain of your user's credentials and access authorizations, you don't need to be worried about internal threats to your vulnerable company data.


Device posture security

When it comes to remote access, device security becomes crucial. It is challenging for companies to control remote devices. However, unreliable devices can cost your company huge data leakages. So, we highly recommend companies give significant importance to their mobile workforce's devices. In terms of device protection, device posture security is a brand-new and effective solution.

Basically, in device posture security, companies can set rules for their access authorizations. They can decide which devices can connect to their company network and which can not. Thus, they can avoid harmful and unwanted devices in the first place. It is vital to control the device's compliance with predefined rules. Corporations can determine indispensable rules for their security.


2. Workforce training

It is vital for companies to educate their employees. If your workforce does not aware of the cybersecurity threats and data protection, it is impossible to create total secure access. First, your team should know the possible consequences of any data leakage. If they don't know what can they lead to, they will not comply with the security rules.

Furthermore, even VPN solutions can not protect your data resources from attacks if your team can not meet the basic requirements. You must be sure that your company provides regular and instructive education relating to data and access security.

Your cybersecurity education should include phishing, malware, and spyware attacks. Phishing attacks usually came from e-mails. The cybercriminal sends a real-looking link for employees to click, they create business-related topics and links most of the time. If an employee is inattentive and cybersecurity ignorant, he can click and download harmful software into their devices. Phishing is a great way for cybercriminals to obtain vulnerable data. As a company owner, you should not skip up training part both for the on-premises and mobile workforce. Determine the changing and specific needs of your workforce and arrange appropriate education for them.


3. Zero Trust Security

Zero Trust is an extensive cybersecurity solution. It adopts the idea of less privilege and more authentication. Internal threats are common in corporations. Attacks or leakages do not come from externals all the time, sometimes internal users can put company security on the line. Here, Zero Trust has a vital role in protecting company resources from both internal and external threats.

A company that adopts zero trust security has advanced authentication methods. Credential confirmation is crucial in zero trust security. So, unauthorized users cannot access vulnerable data resources. When access to resources is limited, companies can narrow their attack surface.

Zero Trust can be used to protect the mobile workforce. As mobile employees try to connect company networks from different locations, it is vital for companies to verify their identities. Thus, corporations can be sure that only authorized users can access their resources and that they do not compromise their data safety.


Last words on secure access for the mobile workforce

There are several ways to protect your mobile workforce from data breaches and attacks. First of all, you need to determine their requirements and weak points. After that, you can create a proper plan to provide total security for your business. In that phase, VPN, Zero Trust security, staff education, and device posture can help you to construct a robust security infrastructure. Always remember that the mobile workforce is more prone to cyberattacks and they pose a bigger risk to the company's data security. So, you can take smart precautions against remote access threats and mobile workforce vulnerability. 

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