A virtual private network (VPN) is a great way for businesses to save money. It is also available to those who don’t run a business, including individuals, students and those who commute while working. There are some major benefits to these internet lines but there are also downsides. It is worth considering them all to help you decide if it is the best for your needs.
The Cost Is a Major Benefit
The cost of virtual private networks is among the most beneficial factor. They are easily affordable to set up and run and eliminate many of the high costs of other lines. For businesses that make international calls or have employees who work from home, all the calls are connected to a local hub. There is no need to worry about the rate for these outgoing calls or any worries about reverse charging.
The cost even makes them suitable for students and private users. A computer with internet is really all that’s needed. The company you hire to set up your network can sort out all the rest.
The Calls Are Secure and Reliable
Since technology has considerably advanced, the use of these lines has become more reliable. They are also secure, as everything is passed through encryption software. There is little risk of hackers being able to steal the information, especially if you are contacting an employee to get personal details.
However, this brings in the first disadvantage. The reliability is dependent on the hosting company. If the network company has a bad habit of struggling for a connection or runs through bad servers, the quality of the line for the business will go down. There is nothing that the business can do except wait for the network company to fix the issue. This can cause a line to be out for a few minutes or a few days, depending on the severity of the problem.
It is really important for a business to do some research into companies they consider using.
It can be Technical
For businesses with technical teams, this isn’t a problem. However, not all have this. If you don’t, you will find that getting the right quality and level of security is very hard, unless you find a good company. There are some companies that will handle everything for you to make sure your security levels are where they need to be.
Of course, this comes at an extra cost. It may be worth that cost but you will need to do some comparisons. While you want security, you need it at a price that works beneficial for you. If dedicated private networks come out cheaper, why bother with a VPN?
Security Is an Issue with Wireless Devices
There are some security issues with VPNs, no matter how good the technical team is. Wireless devices have many security flaws and compromise the security of your lines. While the main business many have wired connections only, there is no guarantee that employees at home will; in fact most will likely run through a wireless router.
There are some devices being developed to help with this. However, not all the technology is currently there.
Take your time to look through all the pros and cons of virtual private networks. They may seem great for cost savings but that doesn’t mean you have the technical knowledge to make them worthwhile. Do your research and compare the different companies to find someone suitable for you.
Author bio:
This guest post was written by Jordan Fried, a technology expert. He has worked with various companies in the past finding them the best technology options. VPNs continually come up on the list of things to consider. Follow him on Twitter @jordanfried.