What is an Always-On VPN?
An Always-On VPN is a critical security solution designed to provide a persistent, secure connection at all times. Unlike traditional VPNs that require users to manually connect, an Always-On VPN automatically initiates and maintains a secure tunnel whenever the device connects to the internet. This ensures continuous encryption of data and protection against threats, without the need for user intervention.
How Does an Always-On VPN Work?
Automatic and Continuous Connection
An Always-On VPN works by automatically establishing a secure, encrypted connection as soon as a device connects to the internet. There’s no need for users to manually start the VPN—this happens in the background, providing security without disruption. This continuous connection is especially valuable for remote and mobile teams that need secure access from anywhere.
Secure Data Encryption
One of the primary functions of an Always-On VPN is encrypting data in transit. All traffic between the device and the network is encrypted, making it unreadable to anyone who might intercept it. Whether employees are accessing sensitive files or browsing the internet, encryption ensures that business-critical data remains secure.
Key Features of an Always-On VPN
IP Masking for Enhanced Privacy
Always-On VPNs automatically mask the user’s IP address, which protects the real location of the user and prevents cybercriminals from launching targeted attacks. By anonymizing your employees’ internet traffic, Next Perimeter’s solution ensures that malicious actors are kept at bay, even on public or unsecured networks.
Secure Connections to Internal and External Networks
By routing traffic through secure servers, this alternative to a traditional VPN provides a double layer of protection. This secure connection prevents users from accessing malicious websites or falling victim to man-in-the-middle attacks. Next Perimeter’s VPN replacement is built to protect your team from emerging cyber threats, allowing secure access to both internal corporate networks and the wider internet.
Enhancing Security with an Always-On VPN
Protecting Remote and Mobile Workforces
In today’s remote-first world, employees need the ability to work securely from any location. This VPN replacement offer constant protection, ensuring that no matter where your team members are, they have a secure connection to company resources. This is particularly important in industries like healthcare, finance, and legal services, where the protection of sensitive data is paramount.
Preventing Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks occur when cybercriminals intercept communications between two parties. With an Always-On VPN, all communications are encrypted, preventing these types of attacks. Even if hackers manage to intercept data, they cannot read or alter it, ensuring that your communications remain private and secure.
Compliance Benefits of an Always-On VPN
Meeting Industry Regulations and Standards
For businesses that handle sensitive information, regulatory compliance is crucial. Regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and SOC2 require that data be transmitted securely. An Always-On VPN ensures that all communication channels remain encrypted, helping businesses stay compliant with these regulations.
Simplifying Audit Readiness
This always-on solution simplifies audit readiness by ensuring continuous encryption and secure routing of all internet traffic, reducing the risk of unauthorized data access. With built-in reporting and monitoring features, businesses can generate detailed logs of data transfers, access points, and security events, creating a clear audit trail to demonstrate compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA. The automatic nature of this VPN alternative also reduces human error by eliminating the need for users to manually activate the VPN, ensuring consistent protection and minimizing potential security gaps during audits.
Improving the End-User Experience
Hassle-Free Security for Non-Technical Users
One of the greatest advantages of an Always-On VPN is the simplicity it offers users. With no need for manual intervention, employees don’t have to remember to connect the VPN or worry about security settings. The Always-On feature takes care of everything, allowing employees to focus on their tasks without the distraction of managing their connection.
Secure Remote Work Experience
With more employees working remotely, businesses need solutions that provide reliable security across various locations and devices. This solution ensures consistent protection, whether employees are in the office, at home, or on the go. This seamless security supports the mobility and flexibility that modern businesses require.
Optimized Performance with an Always-On VPN
Balancing Security and Speed
One common concern with VPNs is the potential for slowdowns in internet performance. However, modern Always-On VPNs are optimized for performance as well as security. By selecting the most efficient route for traffic, this solution ensures minimal latency, allowing users to work and browse without noticeable slowdowns.
Reliable Connectivity
An Always-On VPN is designed to deliver both secure and reliable connections. Utilizing advanced routing technologies, it optimizes performance while maintaining robust security, ensuring that users enjoy fast, smooth connections without interruptions or slowdowns. This balance of security and performance makes it ideal for businesses that require consistent, high-speed access across multiple locations.
Always-On VPN vs. Traditional VPNs
Manual Connection vs. Automatic Protection
Traditional VPNs require users to manually connect each time they access the internet, which often results in lapses in protection. If a user forgets to activate the VPN, they leave themselves and the company’s data exposed to cyber threats. An Always-On VPN, on the other hand, provides continuous protection without any manual intervention, ensuring that the connection is always secure.
Higher Level of Security
Since an Always-On VPN is active at all times, it provides a higher level of security than traditional VPNs. For businesses managing a remote or distributed workforce, this added layer of protection is invaluable, especially in high-risk environments like public Wi-Fi networks.