How Cloud VPNs Enhance Remote Work for Small Businesses

Cloud VPNs allow secure remote access and more flexibility and scalability

Features By Krishi Chowdhary published 30 September 2024

Jump To:

• 1. Better data protection
• 2. Scalability
• 3. Cost savings
• 4. Access controls
• 5. Bypass geo-restrictions
• FAQs

Gone are the days when businesses relied on physical appliances for network security. With an increasing percentage of workforce swearing by remote work, where they can operate from a cafe, the comfort of their own homes, or a small motel while they're traveling, small businesses are turning towards cloud VPNs to ensure they can simplify and better secure remote employees' access to company resources.

Cloud VPNs are not only more secure than traditional on-premise VPNs, but they're also more affordable, require little to no firsthand maintenance (that's taken care of by the service provider), and make the most sense when companies are moving their businesses to the cloud. 

In this article, I'll deep dive into the definition of cloud VPNs, the top 5 ways they can enhance remote work for small businesses, as well as how they differ from traditional ones. Read on.

Nordlayer is offering an extra 20% discount on Annual Plans

NordLayer, formerly NordVPN Teams, offers a robust VPN solution for businesses, featuring Single-Sign-On support with Google, Azure AD, and Okta, two-factor authentication, and dedicated IP addresses. Get 20% extra discount with the code NL-TECHRADAR-2420.

View Deal

What is a cloud VPN?

A cloud VPN, or as it’s also called, VPN as a service (VPNaaS) or cloud-based remote access VPN, is an online security tool for businesses that want to secure the internet connections between the user, i.e., the employees (especially those that work remotely or are off company premises due to, say, a business trip), and the organization’s internal network, including SaaS apps, that’s hosted in the cloud.

The actual objective of a cloud VPN is exactly the same as any traditional VPN: to encrypt the data being exchanged between the user's device and the website/application it's connected to, which in this case is the cloud. 

The VPN secures remote access to the company’s infrastructure in the cloud by routing the online traffic of the employee’s device and the cloud through one of its own servers (instead of the ISP’s servers) using a secure VPN protocol. This makes the data impossible to make any sense of, meaning snoopers can’t exploit it even if they are able to intercept it.

Secondly, cloud VPNs also mask the user's IP address, making it impossible for ISPs, government agencies, and opportunistic cybercriminals to track their online location and activities.

Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors