Blog

Choosing the Best VPN Solution: What to Consider?

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are essential, if not vital, for public safety, utilities, emergency response, or other agency workforces. It allows them to access the sites you need without worrying about security issues, even if you’re utilizing a public internet connection. VPNs also encrypts all transmitted data via, as the name suggests, a secure private network, safeguarding them from malware and unsecured ads until redirected to a specific destination. Now that everything is going virtual, VPN solutions not only serve as essential security tools for various agencies, but also serve as a way to ensure efficiency and productivity from employees.

However, not all VPN solutions are created equal. Some of them offer more security features than others. To better understand how they work and how finding the right one based on your agency’s specific needs can be beneficial, consider the following factors:

Increased Speed

One of the first critical factors when choosing a proper VPN solution is speed, especially when it comes to real-time computing tasks, processing/transmitting huge loads of data and needing to access certain applications or software at all times. To ensure an effective service speed, you need to check the location’s servers. The closer the servers are to your place, the faster your data will travel from the source to its destination.

Logs

Another factor to consider is to make sure to check the VPN’s service privacy policy. Your mobile VPN is strategically positioned in your network infrastructure. It manages critical data. It is aware of the type of network the data is surfing on. It knows which application generates the data. It distinguishes which mobile unit is using which interface. Therefore, it is important to understand how the VPN solution provider handles said data.

High availability

A VPN powered by multiple servers working together is always preferable, as it can offer proper scalability requirements to accomplish each task and balance its load between different servers. When one of the server’s connections is slow or shuts down, the other ones take over, granting multiple users the ability to keep using different applications at the same time. This makes them much more efficient and productive while accomplishing their various critical tasks.

Security Features

Some security features may differ from one VPN service to another. These features include:

• Roaming capabilites – Seamless and Transparent roaming between WiFi and Cellular networks to ensure a consistent connectivity.
• Kill Switch – the feature that automatically protects the user from exposure to unprotected traffic when you get disconnected from the VPN.
• Split-Tunneling – this feature allows you to steer each network-connected device to specific applications in a cost-effective way, without disturbing any other user’s experience.

It is also imperative to know that government surveillance and privacy laws may vary from one place to another.

Return on Investment (ROI)

There are times when a VPN solution you signed up for is not compatible with with what your agency expected. Therefore, VPN providers should offer solutions carted to your agency’s various needs, and especially its budget, while enabling continuous synchronization between different device-connected users/groups. Make sure your investment’s gains compare favorably to its cost!

Covered Devices

Nowadays, public safety, utilities, emergency response, as well as other agency workforce employees can sometimes use other devices aside from desktop computers and laptops. Make sure to maximize the features of your chosen VPN solution when using smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. In that case, consider opting for a mobile virtual private network (MVPN) solution, providing mobile workforces with secure, real-time access to a wide range of applications and networks.

Should You Pay for a VPN?

Definitely! Yes, using a free VPN solution, or even a paying one’s free trial can be a great start to get familiar with that kind of software. However, to make the most of its capabilities and features, you may eventually need to take advantage of paid VPN services, as free solutions commonly use a bit discreet software or hardware, not only making device connectivity slower and less consistent, but also less secure and customizable to your specific needs.

Conclusion

In short, when choosing a proper VPN solution, make sure to consider factors like covered devices, logs, speed, and availability capacities. It is also recommended to choose a paid VPN service to ensure better security and more optimal performance. It is indeed one of the excellent investments an online business should have.

If all the above serves to convince you to invest in an effective and secure quality VPN solution,  consider contacting Radio IP Software at Contact us | Radio IP (radio-ip.com). Let us help you develop your own tailor-made cybersecurity program!