When your employees work from home, their devices often connect to the internet through less secure networks than your office. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between their device and your business network. This helps protect sensitive information, such as customer data and company files, from being intercepted by cybercriminals.
Why this matters for Australian SMBs
Without a VPN, remote workers might expose your business to risks like data breaches or ransomware attacks. Such incidents can cause costly downtime, loss of customer trust, and potential compliance issues with Australian privacy regulations. Ensuring secure connections supports staff productivity by reducing disruptions and safeguards your reputation.
A typical scenario
Consider a 50-person Australian accounting firm with staff working remotely. One employee connects to public Wi-Fi at a café without a VPN. A hacker intercepts login credentials, gaining access to confidential client files. The firm faces data loss, client complaints, and expensive recovery efforts. A managed IT provider would set up VPN access for all remote staff, monitor connections, and enforce strong authentication to prevent this.
Practical checklist for your business
- Ask your IT provider if they offer VPN solutions tailored for remote work and how they manage encryption standards.
- Check if VPN access requires multi-factor authentication to add an extra security layer.
- Review your IT provider's policies on monitoring and logging VPN connections to detect unusual activity.
- Ensure your staff have clear instructions on when and how to use the VPN, especially on public or unsecured networks.
- Verify that VPN software is kept up to date on all devices to patch security vulnerabilities.
- Confirm that your IT provider includes VPN setup and support in their service agreement or SLA.
Using a VPN is a practical step to reduce cyber risks associated with remote work. To implement it effectively, discuss your business needs with a trusted managed IT provider or advisor who understands Australian SMB challenges. They can help you choose the right VPN solution, integrate it with your existing systems, and train your staff to maintain secure remote access.