A Virtual Private Network (VPN) has become the de-facto way for remote devices to connect to an enterprise network. VPNs have seen a dramatic increase in adoption rates in the last few years due to the COVID pandemic and the changing work-from-anywhere culture.
In this article, we'll briefly talk about what's an enterprise VPN and how it's different from a consumer one. Following this introduction about VPNs, let's do a detailed review of five of the best VPNs for enterprises.
Here is our list of the best enterprise VPN services:
- Perimeter81 – GET DEMO A next-gen business VPN that secures and simplifies access to your networks and cloud-based resources. It also integrates with a ton of apps to provide comprehensive security for your organization.
- NordLayer – GET DEMO This hardware-free VPN service is well-suited for businesses of all sizes. It's also simple to set up and provides an easy way to manage your organization's network.
- GoodAccess This business cloud VPN secures all employees and their devices, regardless of where they connect from. Its zero-trust global remote access keeps your network safe while ensuring compliance with GDPR and SOC2 standards.
- Twingate This enterprise VPN specializes in securing access for fast-growing teams. Its zero-trust approach coupled with its intuitive interface adds to its popularity.
- Fortinet This is a scalable and high-speed VPN that secures enterprise networks while providing seamless connectivity to remote users.
What's an Enterprise VPN?
As the name suggests, enterprise VPNs are used by businesses to help their employees connect to the company's network safely and securely over the Internet. In a traditional setup, organizations tend to use perimeter security to secure their networks. However, this is not possible when employees work remotely and connect to the network from any device. A close alternative is enterprise VPNs.
How do Enterprise VPNs Work?
Enterprise VPNs provide secure access for devices that want to connect to the enterprise network. It secures access by creating a private tunnel between the device and the network. Any traffic that goes through this tunnel is encrypted, and hence cannot be read by eavesdroppers. This is how enterprise VPNs provide a secure connection even when the devices connect over the Internet.
Difference Between a Consumer and an Enterprise VPN
Both consumer and enterprise VPNs create a safe tunnel for communication, and that's where their similarity ends. Consumer VPNs come with other features such as a mobile or desktop app for easy access, the option to hide IP addresses for privacy, access to geo-blocked content, and more.
Enterprise VPNs, on the other hand, come with a slew of features that create robust and secure connections between the devices and the network. Though the exact features may vary among enterprise VPNs, there's no doubt that all of them strive to bring down the costs, secure access and communication to your enterprise network, and make it a seamless and intuitive experience for everyone involved.
At the same time, enterprise VPNs offer complete visibility to your IT admins, so they can stay on top of cyberattacks. These VPN services also send instant alerts when something is amiss like excess bandwidth use, as they are signs of an imminent attack.
Now that you know all about enterprise VPNs and their benefits, let's talk about the top five enterprise VPN providers.
The Best VPNs for Enterprises
Moving on, let's look at a detailed review of each of the above VPNs.
1. Perimeter81 – GET DEMO
Perimeter81's VPN services secure your corporate network by streamlining access and providing 360-degree visibility for your IT admins. At the same time, Perimeter81's VPN ensures that your employees have access to the resources they need to enhance their productivity.
Key Features:
Here's a look at some of the salient features of Perimeter81.
- Encryption: Encryption is a key feature of Perimeter81's enterprise VPN. It uses IPSec tunneling protocols to create a secure connection between a network and an end-user's device. As a result, only authorized users and devices can connect to the network, thereby reducing the chances of unauthorized access from unknown devices.
- Remote Access: Perimeter81 makes it easy for remote workers to connect to your network from anywhere. The highlight is that Perimeter81 provides low latency, so there are minimal to no interruptions to their work. Also, users can access all the data, applications, and other cloud resources they need for their work. At the same time, Perimeter81 creates virtual tunnels and gateways that provide secure access for your employees to connect to your network.
- Integration: Perimeter81 integrates well with most known applications. More importantly, it is cloud-agnostic and can integrate seamlessly with all cloud platforms and services like AWS, Azure, etc.
- Scalable and Cost-effective: Perimeter81 is highly scalable and extensible, and you can use it to connect to both cloud and on-premises applications. It's convenient to use and highly flexible to meet your organization's specific requirements. Plus, Perimeter81 is also affordable, thereby making it a cost-effective solution for your organization.
- Centralized Management: Another highlight of Perimeter81 is its centralized management. Its admin console acts as a central point for admins to grant and revoke permissions to users and devices. It also provides 360-degree visibility into which device/user has connected to the network and other relevant information that can go a long way in preventing cyberattacks.
Overall, Perimeter81 is a comprehensive business VPN that comes with all the features you need to protect your network from unauthorized access. Get started with a free demo.
2. NordLayer – GET DEMO
NordLayer is a business VPN that simplifies secure access to your network while protecting your on-premises and cloud assets. Its many features like easy scalability, encryption, and streamlined monitoring make it an essential part of every organization's security strategies.
Key Features:
Below is a detailed look at NordLayer's features.
- Supports Remote Access: NordLayer makes it easy for employees to connect to your organization's networks from any part of the world. They can even connect over public Wi-Fi without worrying about the security implications, as NordLayer creates a secure tunnel for transmitting data between your network and employees' devices.
- Secures the Endpoints: Today, employees connect from many devices such as desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. In turn, this means that your enterprise VPN service must secure all these endpoints because even one vulnerable device can be catastrophic for your organization. NordLayer secures the endpoints, regardless of the device or operating system, so your network is safe.
- Encrypts Traffic: NordLayer encrypts all traffic between endpoints and your organization's network using AES-256. As a result, unauthorized users read the data packets that transpire between the network and end devices, even if they manage to intercept it through other means of access.
- Extensive Support: NordLayer's business VPN has servers located in 33 countries, so you can expect good speed and optimal performance in your connection. Its low latency means there is no negative impact on your employees' productivity. Also, you can buy dedicated servers at any time from any location around the world. The best part is that you can deploy this server within seconds and create a secure access gateway for communication.
- Easy Management: NordLayer's intuitive Control Panel makes it easy to add, transfer, or remove any registered device from your network. Also, it gives complete visibility into the devices and users that access your network. Moreover, you can get technical support from NordLayer's experts through this control panel, making it a one-stop place for everything you need.
In all, NordLayer is an advanced business VPN that provides a simple and secure way for your employees to connect to your organization's network. Access the free demo. Use the coupon NL-COMPARITECH-2415 for an extra 15% off.
3. GoodAccess Cloud VPN
GoodAccess Cloud VPN is a zero-trust VPN service that protects your network from unauthorized devices and users. Plus, it's a flexible SaaS application that can be deployed within minutes.
Key Features:
Read on to learn how GoodAccess secures your network.
- Encrypts Connections: GoodAccess encrypts connections between remote users and your network, regardless of the device or location of your remote employee. This encryption brings down the chances for unauthorized viewing of all the communication that takes place between the device and your network.
- Blocks Network-based Attacks: Network-based attacks come from unauthorized devices. In particular, attacks like Denial of Service come from bots that gain access to your network. With GoodAccess VPN, you can stop such attacks because only authorized devices can enter your network.
- Uses Zero Trust Model: GoodAccess uses the zero-trust model when it comes to authorizing devices and users. In this model, every device must prove that it's authorized to access a resource. Undoubtedly, this model reduces blind spots and privileged access to resources. At the same time, it also provides granular access based on the identity of individual devices.
- Insider Threats: Typically, unauthorized users enter the network through a compromised device and move laterally to access its resources. GoodAccess prevents this lateral movement through continuous monitoring and zero-trust access. In turn, this monitoring reduces the chances of insider threats.
- Admin Control Panel: GoodAccess comes with an intuitive admin control panel that allows your admins to stay on top of all devices and users' access. Also, it is a central tool for adding and managing devices and provisioning resources as needed.
Overall, GoodAccess comes with strong VPN security controls to keep your organization secure while keeping your costs down.
Click here to start a free trial.
4. Twingate Enterprise VPN
Twingate's enterprise VPN combines a smart routing network engine with a host of other modern technologies like private proxies and split tunneling to provide a quick and secure connection. Plus, it enables you to make peer-to-peer connections to minimize latency.
Key Features:
Here's a look at some of the important features of Twingate.
- Highly Reliable: Twingate uses QUIC, an Internet protocol that works in the transport layer. The use of this protocol results in a reliable and ordered delivery of data packets through the tunnel. You can even multiplex multiple streams over a single connection for quick access.
- Minimal Latency: To minimize latency, Twingate uses a method called NAT traversal. This technology enables you to create a peer-to-peer connection between different devices as well as with your network, and this reduces latency and delays during access.
- Zero Trust Model: Like many of the latest VPN services, Twingate also uses a zero-trust model. This means the device/user that wants to access networks must prove its authorization. In turn, this leads to a more secure and trusted network, even when there are firewalls.
- Manages Resource Provisioning: Twingate maps all the resources on your network to provide complete visibility on who is accessing your network at any time. Such visibility also helps to assign resources to approved users/devices. This way, when users connect to your network from any location, they can have secure and seamless access to the required resources.
Overall, Twingate is a zero-trust solution that is easy to adopt and highly secure and reliable as well.
Click here to try Twingate for free.
5. Fortinet
Fortinet is a secure enterprise VPN that makes it easy for remote users to seamlessly connect to your network. At the same time, Fortinet offers the security you need to prevent unauthorized access to resources.
Key Features:
Here's a look at Fortinet's features.
- Central Management Console: FortiClient is Fortinet's VPN client. It comes with a central management console to gain complete visibility into your network and remote users in real-time. More importantly, it's lightweight and easy to deploy at any time. Admins can use this console to set up new accounts or provide/revoke access to resources.
- Highly Secure: Another salient aspect of this tool is its security. In Fortinet, users connect to the VPN using two-factor authentication. Also, it detects vulnerabilities in client systems' operating systems and third-party applications in real-time and takes measures to protect the system from these exploits. The concerned employees are also notified of these security gaps, so they can be fixed easily. Admins can configure and fix vulnerabilities through the above-mentioned central management console.
- Extensible and Scalable: Fortinet scales well with your business. It integrates seamlessly with other Fortinet products to provide a comprehensive security cover for your organization. It also uses behavior-based and crowdsourced intelligence to quickly identify vulnerabilities and remediate them at the earliest. It detects both known and unknown threats.
In all, Fortinet is a good choice for enterprises that are looking for a secure and scalable VPN solution.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, VPNs are essential for today's business environment, where remote employees need a secure way to connect to the organization's network. These enterprise networks are different from the consumer VPNs that are used at home, mostly to access geo-blocked content and to mask the IP address for increased privacy. The above-mentioned enterprise VPNs come with all the features you need for seamless and secure connectivity. We hope one of them fits well for you.
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