In today’s globe-trotting business world, work and travel frequently go together. Fortunately, it’s easier than ever for your organization’s team members to remain connected and collaborate over even the longest distances, thanks to WiFi, cloud computing platforms and mobile devices. On the flipside, public wireless collaboration opens up a whole new can of worms: data privacy and security. That’s why you need to understand the importance of equipping all of your employee’s mobile devices with VPN (Virtual Private Network) apps.

A VPN serves as a kind of “scrambler” or anonymizing service. When you’re working on a public WiFi system, it’s all too easy for digital eavesdroppers to hack into your connection. But when you have a VPN app running on your device, your online connection is secured by an extra layer of decryption that helps to thwart these efforts. A VPN app can also help protect the privacy of your location. Many VPN services host servers in a number of countries, and you can often choose which of these servers handles your WiFi connection. Last but not least, a VPN can allow employees stationed in other countries to make use of online services that might currently be blocked in those countries. 

Of course, no Internet safeguard is perfect, and VPN apps are no exception. For example, one of the most famous VPN services, Nord VPN, was recently hacked, potentially exposing user data. If you’re particularly concerned about data security, you’ll want to choose a VPN service that isn’t domiciled in one of the “14 Eyes” nations. These nations have agreements that permit them to share user data for government surveillance purposes. You should also choose a VPN provider that doesn’t keep logs of user information. 

Want some help choosing and installing the right VPN app? Contact our Austin IT support team!