The increased use of technology and everything being online makes security and privacy vital. If your business uses tools such as Wi-Fi, online collaboration tools or any unified online platform, you need to get a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN can protect your business from suspicious online activity and allow your employees to work from anywhere.
What is a VPN?
A VPN is used to protect its users online. It encrypts the data of the user and helps hide their IP address. Using a VPN can hide your browsing activity, identity and location online. It allows for better privacy and a free online experience.
According to a Forbes article, South Africa is part of the countries with a low adoption rate of VPNs. The stats show that only 1,44% of South Africa’s population downloaded a VPN in 2023. With these low adoption rates, it puts South African businesses at risk of being exposed online.
How Do VPNs Work?
VPNs work by establishing a digital connection between your computer and a remote server owned by a VPN provider. It creates a point-to-point tunnel that encrypts your personal data, masks your IP address and lets you bypass website blocks and firewalls on the Internet.
Now that you know how VPNs work, it’s time to find out the different types of VPNs that are available.
Types of VPNs
Remote access VPNs – For remote employees accessing the company network.
Site-to-site VPNs – For company networks accessing each other.
Personal VPNs – For individuals who want to access their home network safely.
Mobile VPNs – This is a VPN that you can access from the client app on your phone.
What Are the Main Benefits of a VPN for Businesses?
There are benefits to having a VPN for your business. They are a critical part of your business’ overall cyber security. The advantages of a VPN for business include:
- It is an affordable security solution.
- Provides efficient data flows for your business.
- Provides secure connectivity for remote work.
- Robust and comprehensive data privacy solution.
- A flexible security solution for every device and setting.
- Easy to maintain and support.
- Works well with legacy/existing systems.
Example of How a VPN Works
To put into view how a VPN works, an employee working from home needs to use a secure data channel to protect himself and the company. Using a VPN they can connect to the company’s private network from home. Using a VPN can also help them access all the files and software they usually access from their in-office computer.
This can increase the security of the files and software and protect the data that is transported or used within the files and software.
The MTN MPLS VPN for Business
Because of the low adoption rate of VPN use in South Africa, it’s important for providers to make it affordable for small businesses and other organisations. To help South African organisations (including small businesses), network provider MTN Business has a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) VPN.
What is the MTN MPLS VPN for Business?
The MTN MPLS VPN can help your business connect to multiple locations while converging voice, video, and data onto a single IP-based network. It’s a 3-layer Multi-Protocol Label-Switching solution.
MPLS VPN technology is a tool that merges the speed and efficiency of MPLS with the security and privacy that VPNs provide. The technology creates a virtual tunnel for data to flow through.
MTN’s VPN is a fully managed service. It includes the design, configuration, installation and management of your business’ equipment and local networks
Benefits of the MTN MPLS VPN for Business
The benefits of using the MTN MPLS VPN solution are that it provides security, flexibility, and performance. These benefits are outlined as:
Security
- It improves security for customer traffic with individual VPNs.
- Enhances network visibility and management tools with Sprint Compass.
- Enables secure Internet and remote access to the corporate intranet.
Flexibility
- Connects to Global DSL, Ethernet, wireless WANs and mobile devices.
- Delivers a variety of multiple routing protocol support options.
- Allows Internet access in over 150 countries.
Performance
- Prioritises important traffic with Class of Service capabilities.
- Provides speed options from 1Mbps to 10 Gbps.
- Avoids network congestion rather than routing traffic around congestion.
The MTN MPLS VPN is the perfect security and privacy solution for your business. Whether you are a small or large, new or old business, MTN’s solution can work to better protect your data and your customers’ data.
Additionally, MTN will provide you with a 24/7 support system to ensure that you are always protected.
For more information, visit the MTN Business SA website and fill in the online form. Or call 083 123 1800 or email MTN Business at EBUcorpsales@mtn.com
