In the last couple of years, cyber-attacks have spiked with the increased reliance on cloud environments. Corporate workforces have shifted to hybrid and remote models. So, their infrastructures changed and the vulnerabilities in the security system have increased accordingly.
If your corporation uses the cloud regularly, it is critical to implement the right solution to ensure the security of your network. In this manner, VPNs have become a popular technology and many corporations use virtual private networks widely. So, picking the best solution for your enterprise’s own needs might be tricky as VPN (Virtual Private Network) technologies offer various benefits. Cloud VPNs and traditional VPNs will be compared for determining which one is better for your enterprise.
Traditional VPN
A traditional VPN, or simply a VPN, is a technology that connects a private network to a public network while allowing users to transmit data across public networks through private networks. A VPN contains tunneling protocols that help establish a secure virtual point-to-point connection. Traditional VPNs protect the user’s privacy online against malicious actors. On public networks, VPNs help to construct a secure tunnel for your private information.
Traditional VPNs strengthen the security of private networks while enabling any user and device to join them. VPNs are great tools to ensure remote access to company data, files, and resources. That’s why remote workers widely use traditional VPNs to access the company network securely. You can rely on VPNs to provide encryption for your web traffic. Traditional VPNs encrypt online activity and control data transmission along with the creation of encryption keys. Additionally, traditional VPNs route your data through a data center when using the cloud.
Although traditional VPNs are great tools for network security, they are kind of getting outdated in so many ways. Especially when cyber attacks are getting more advanced, many vulnerabilities of corporate networks arise on the surface. So, traditional VPNs fall back on the cybersecurity of company networks.
Cloud VPN
In the last couple of years, an increase in the hybrid workforce pushed companies to examine and expand their VPN infrastructure for remote work. Traditional VPN infrastructure has lost its effectiveness in the cloud environment. So, a new type of virtual private network has been developed for this specific reason: Cloud VPN.
Cloud VPN is essentially a virtual private network tool that allows you to access the Internet and company data in the cloud by creating safe tunneling. Cloud VPNs are also named “hosted VPNs” or “VPNaaS (VPN as a service)”. A cloud VPN constructs encrypted site-to-site tunnels connecting employees to your company network. It uses IPsec to secure data traffic between networks and the VPN gateway.
Cloud VPN serves mainly two purposes: site-to-site communications and remote access. Employees can securely access company resources, files, and data on the cloud via Cloud VPNs. And most importantly, employees can share data remotely in a safe cloud environment through cloud VPNs. Cloud VPNs provide fast encryption and security for your network connections and they are usually cost-efficient – which makes cloud VPNs best fulfill company needs. Site-to-site communication tunnels are established between your company network and the cloud network.
Cloud VPNs provide numerous benefits including access control, direct cloud access, mobile support, user verification, freedom of accessibility, flexibility, and scalability. Just like any other cloud service, your VPN infrastructure can favor these features as well.
Direct Cloud Access
The usage of cloud-based applications and services by companies has significantly increased day by day. Especially with the Covid-19 pandemic, companies’ workforce has shifted to remote environments and relied on the cloud. So, the need for fast and secure VPNs is met with cloud VPNs. A cloud VPN offers direct cloud access to the company network securely.
Access Control
The Internet poses various risks when resources are used and sensitive data is shared through the cloud. Cloud VPN provides encryption for data transmissions and activity ensuring your privacy against outside factors such as cybercriminals and malware. Administrators can fully control access on many levels with cloud VPN.
Freedom of Accessibility Globally
Cloud VPNs enable company networks to be globally accessible by employees. They remove geographic restrictions and allow users to connect to the cloud and use company data securely.
Flexibility and Scalability
Cloud VPNs are highly adaptable to changes in network infrastructure, requirements, user counts, and bandwidths. They offer greater flexibility and easier scalability.
User Verification
Companies get top-notch benefits with cloud VPN implementation. Cloud VPNs enable companies to obtain the latest authentication techniques available. Multifactor authentication, SSO (single sign-on) can be deployed to authenticate the users accessing the company network in the cloud environment.
Cloud VPN vs. Traditional VPN
Companies should select VPN solutions according to their own needs and desires. Nowadays, almost every corporation uses cloud-based services and applications. If your corporation uses the cloud regularly, it is critical to implement the right solution. In order to determine what solution is the best for corporate network infrastructures, one should distinguish and compare VPN solutions for cloud environments. Although traditional VPNs are getting somewhat outdated, they might be a suitable solution for your company’s use case with additional cybersecurity measures. Also, note that cloud reliance of companies has increased the cloud VPN implementation.
Cloud VPNs consume less bandwidth when compared to traditional VPNs. So, Cloud VPNs operate faster while traditional VPNs slow down operation speed due to large bandwidth consumption. The reason is that traditional VPNs route traffic to a data center first when establishing tunnels. Since traditional VPNs need to be configured manually, setting up a large number of VPNs is time-consuming and might lead to errors if not carefully deployed. The process of setting up is far easier for cloud VPNs as they are highly scalable and don’t require extra hardware or software.
With adequate bandwidth support and a strong IT team, traditional VPNs can be beneficial to corporations. For corporations that heavily rely on cloud services, cloud VPNs stand superior to traditional VPNs. Large organizations prefer cloud VPNs because they are cost-efficient, faster to build and maintain and provide more secure access in comparison to traditional VPNs. When it comes to securing sensitive or confidential information, security is prioritized with the highest standards and regulations.
Final Remarks
Nowadays, businesses heavily rely on cloud services and applications. Considering the risks the Internet and the cloud network pose, it is critical to implement proper cybersecurity solutions to prevent potential malicious actors and data breaches. Since Cloud VPNs improve network security by generating secure tunneling for sensitive data transmissions, your corporation should consider implementing a Cloud VPN to assist your cybersecurity measures.
