5 Reasons a VPN Is Essential When Conducting International Business
If you run an international business, you need a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to allow you to handle data securely and efficiently. International businesses must comply with a variety of cybersecurity regulations, which require them to take steps to ensure the security of their customers' data. A business VPN encrypts data, reducing the risk that it can fall into the hands of cyber criminals.
Here are five reasons your international business needs a VPN.
1. A Business VPN Makes Remote Work Safe
Allowing your employees to work remotely can massively increase productivity for your organization. However, remote work also introduces risk, particularly if employees use public Wi-Fi networks.
Business VPN software provides each employee with a dedicated IP address. They can use this address anywhere in the world to securely connect to the company network and carry out their work. All data transmitted to and from the employee's device is encrypted, which makes it much harder for cyber criminals to access.
2. A Business VPN Allows Access to Geo-Restricted Content
If you have employees based in a country that restricts access to the internet, or your employees regularly travel to such nations, a business VPN is essential to allow them to carry out their work. China famously blocks access to a wide range of popular websites and services, including Google, Facebook, and Gmail. A VPN makes it possible to bypass these restrictions, allowing employees to access their email and other vital services while they work in China.
Some Middle East countries also place blocks on certain types of content. Meanwhile, some US websites block connections that appear to come from outside the US. A business VPN allows your organization to control which parts of the internet your employees have access to, no matter where in the world they are physically located.
3. A Business VPN Helps With Data Security Compliance
Cyber crime is a major concern for international businesses. Regulations for data security are not exactly the same in the US, the EU, and other parts of the world. International businesses must comply with regulations in all the countries in which they operate.
This can be more difficult than it sounds. For example, US businesses must comply with the EU GDPR data security regulations if they collect any data from European visitors to their websites, even if the business does not have a physical base in the EU.
By applying end-to-end encryption to data, a business VPN can help your international business to comply with the various regulations that you must follow to avoid fines and other legal consequences.
4. A Business VPN Provides Safe Browsing for Customers
If your international business has physical outlets that offer Wi-Fi to customers, it is important to ensure that those networks are secure. If a cyber criminal manages to hack into your customer Wi-Fi network, they could intercept and steal all the data that passes through it, leaving your customers vulnerable to identity theft and credit card fraud.
Using a VPN to encrypt the data that passes through your customer Wi-Fi network is a reliable way to ensure the security of your customers' data. This is essential if your business is an international chain of cafes, hotels, retail stores, or other outlets where customers expect to have access to a free public Wi-Fi network.
5. A Business VPN Keeps Costs Low
If you have been putting off investing in a business VPN due to the costs of using one, it is time to think again. Many business VPN services are very affordable. Some offer the option to pay monthly, which is useful if your business has limited cash flow.
Compared to the costs of dealing with the consequences of a data breach, a business VPN can be a very affordable solution for your international business. Using a VPN also prevents a costly loss of productivity when your employees travel abroad.
A Business VPN is Essential
All international businesses should invest in a VPN service. From improving productivity to helping to ensure data security, the right business VPN can make an enormous difference to an international business' bottom line. If you are not already using a VPN service, take the time to find the right one for your international business.
