VPN solutions to protect your AWS cloud network

It’s easy to believe that some businesses are so large that they’re invisible to cybercriminals, but this is not true.

SMBs are sometimes viewed as “low-hanging fruit” by hackers due to their low level of protection. Therefore, small businesses need the same effective level of protection as large businesses.

In this chaotic environment, VPN solutions are gaining attention due to the current market needs as well as low implementation costs. This article explains what a VPN is, why SMBs use it, and the best VPN solutions for SMBs.

What is a VPN?

The concept of a VPN (Virtual Private Network) is to use unreliable public network infrastructure to create a secure virtual tunnel that allows communication between two distant points.

The security of data communication passing through this tunnel is performed by encryption between source and destination, thus eliminating the risk of information being ultimately intercepted during transmission.

A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection over a less secure network, such as the public Internet. VPN connections work using shared public infrastructure while maintaining privacy through security procedures and tunneling protocols.

Why should SMBs use a VPN?

First, it’s important to note that the size of your company doesn’t determine whether you need a VPN connection. This depends on the location of your data, your company’s physical structure, and your work processes. Any business fits this profile.

For clarity, let’s highlight a few items that may indicate the need for a VPN connection at your company. to follow:

• Externally hosted systems and sensitive data.
• If your company has a SaaS application deployed on a cloud computing platform such as AWS.
• Employees who travel frequently and need remote access to the organization’s data/systems.
• Confidential information that needs to be exchanged with customers, business partners, and suppliers.
• In addition to the headquarters, there are two or more branch offices that need to constantly exchange data.
• Access to data and systems needs to be monitored.

Still, the use of this solution can be expanded to include information exchange via email, corporate instant messaging tools, backup units, and sensitive equipment (e.g., robots), among others. In other words, it doesn’t matter if you are a small business or a large company. If your company requires a high level of data exchange outside the four walls of your office, you should rely on a VPN connection.

Benefits of VPN for SMBs

When you connect over VPN, you can easily configure your deployment using a step-by-step installation wizard. Access for users is made as simple as possible by entering a username and password in a browser.

It also makes it easier for solution administrators to manage and monitor without requiring advanced networking knowledge. Finally, you can reduce costs by simplifying licensing and support plans to meet SMB requirements. VPN connections have certain technical characteristics that benefit SMBs. The most relevant ones are:

• Protection against remote access hacking of data, systems, and websites. These solutions are also on the other side.
• Exchange sensitive information over the Internet without the risk of espionage or data theft.
• Identification of persons accessing systems and information.
• Centralized management of access rights to information and systems (using an appropriate VPN key management platform).
• Protect your most sensitive servers/computers on your internal network from malicious employee/third party attacks (by employing encryption solutions).
• Protect the production cycle of automatic machines and sensors in industrial environments (also by employing encryption solutions).

In a market where innovation is a brand value, high levels of connectivity combined with mobility and data security strategies ensure a competitive edge. Threats to information security also need to be reduced, and a VPN connection accomplishes this very well.

What are the risks of deploying VPN connectivity for SMB?

In today’s world, you should be wary of solutions that claim to be perfect in terms of data security. No digital system is 100% immune to cyberattacks. There is little risk, but it is generally caused by mistakes made by the user, rather than by the tool itself. Still, a VPN connection provides a very satisfactory level of protection.

If a hacker were able to gain access to one of the devices at the end of the connection (source or destination), this could highlight the potential for intrusion. Another form of risk is the possible existence of security breaches in cryptographic protocols. This happens very rarely.

To avoid such scenarios, the process of distributing and managing encryption keys must be highly secure, and Zero Trust security does just that.

Zero Trust application access employs multiple layers of device and user trust policy validation to authorize and log employees before granting them rapid access to applications in fully audited sessions. can be recorded and monitored. This solution protects your network, employees, and applications using Zero Trust guidelines, keeping applications isolated from your network at all times.

Below are the best VPN solutions to protect your AWS network.

Amazon AWS VPN

AWS VPN is a cloud VPN solution that comes with AWS (Amazon Cloud Computing Platform). Provides a cloud VPN client for remote users to access resources on AWS. That means you don’t need to install it manually. This helps you create a secure connection between AWS and your office via site-to-site VPN. Amazon VPN has a free tier, after which on-demand pricing applies.

Perimeter 81

Perimeter 81 is the leading business VPN that eases your migration to AWS. Create secure connections through site-to-site IPSec connections and provide 24/7 real-time security monitoring and log reporting services.

Perimeter 81 also offers a Zero Trust Secure Network, making it the market leader in providing VPN services to SMBs. Perimeter 81 offers an on-demand demo, and its premium plan costs $12 per user.

OpenVPN Cloud

OpenVPN Cloud provides dedicated services through fast, full-mesh connectivity to cloud computing platforms such as AWS and Azure.

It offers traffic encryption and diverse regional connectivity through a multi-tenant cloud service. Three connections are free, after which on-demand charges apply.

last word

How a company’s technology resources are applied has a direct impact on business value. Ensuring the security of small businesses in the digital environment has become essential to maintaining the best financial health. That’s why it’s important to use a VPN for SMBs, which can provide countless benefits at minimal cost.

You may also be interested in VPN alternatives for small businesses.