What is a cloud VPN?
A cloud VPN, also known as a hosted VPN or VPN as a Service (VPNaaS), enables a secure connection between users and business systems, regardless of physical locations. As new cloud technologies have emerged and the remote workforce has increased in recent years, many organizations are switching to cloud VPNs over traditional VPNs.
Traditional VPNs were not designed to be compatible with the cloud, so they do not provide enough security protection for cloud environments. Cloud VPNs offer instant scalability and cost-efficiency since businesses do not have to invest time and money into building and maintaining a VPN infrastructure. The typical components of a cloud VPN include a cloud VPN gateway, a VPN client, and a cloud-based web application for management.
Types of cloud VPN configurations
Site-to-site VPN: A site-to-site VPN configuration transmits data through multiple LANs located on the organization’s premises. Even though this model reduces installation and maintenance costs, it can increase computing power utilization, affecting the speed of communication.
Remote access VPN: A remote access VPN connects remote users to its on-premises, private cloud or to public cloud networks using a client portal and a login. The cloud VPN application is installed on the user’s device, and with the help of a network access server, secure remote access to a private network is established.
Why do enterprises need a cloud VPN?
Through a cloud VPN, the security teams in an enterprise can ensure that the resources in the network can communicate with each other seamlessly in a complex IT environment and provide employees, wherever they are, a secure connection to both the company’s cloud and on-premises data. This cloud VPN can also authenticate users and ensure security with multi-factor authentication methods.
Some other benefits are:
- Easy access via a browser: One of the biggest advantages of using a cloud-based VPN is that users can access it through any device using a browser.
- Encryption of data: A combination of data encryption and tunneling protocols means that all transmitted data, regardless of device or location, is completely encrypted, thus certifying only authorized connections.
- Access from anywhere, anytime: Since hardware VPNs can only be deployed within corporate networks, they can cause holdups in communication. In contrast, a cloud VPN is accessible from anywhere with a working internet connection.
- Compatibility with business apps: With the increasing adoption of cloud computing, more businesses are implementing cloud applications and services to run their operations. A VPN service based in the cloud offers unified compatibility with business applications and tools hosted in the cloud.
- Flexibility and scalability: Traditional VPNs are challenging to install and configure, and once the setup is complete, they are considered fundamentally permanent. The bandwidth and number of connections are complicated to modify and scale in a changing environment. Cloud-based VPNs scale more easily, enabling organizations to increase or decrease VPN users and bandwidth as needed.
- Cost-efficiency: When using a cloud VPN, a business does not need any physical infrastructure, so there are no hardware costs or maintenance fees.
- Making BYOD policies and mobile support possible: Cloud VPN protocols offer built-in malware and phishing protection in addition to encrypting and securing data and traffic, regardless of the users' devices. Many cloud VPN vendors offer mobile support for improved usability for remote employees.
