For Canadian small and mid-sized businesses with remote workers, using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a practical way to protect sensitive company data and maintain secure connections to your internal network. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between an employee's device and your business network, making it much harder for cybercriminals to intercept or access your information. This is especially important when remote staff connect over public or home internet, which are often less secure than office networks.
Why this matters for Canadian SMBs
Without a VPN, remote workers might expose your business to risks like data breaches, unauthorized access, or malware infections. These risks can lead to downtime, loss of customer trust, and potential compliance issues with Canadian privacy regulations. For example, if a staff member accesses client files over an unsecured Wi-Fi network, hackers could intercept that data. The consequences might include costly recovery efforts and damage to your reputation.
A practical example
Consider a 50-person Canadian consulting firm where half the team works remotely. Initially, employees accessed files directly through unsecured connections, leading to a ransomware attack that encrypted critical project data. After partnering with an IT provider, the firm implemented VPNs for all remote users, ensuring encrypted access to their internal servers. This change reduced cyber risk and improved staff confidence in working remotely, ultimately maintaining project timelines and client trust.
Checklist: What to do about VPNs
- Ask your IT provider: Do you recommend VPNs for remote workers? What type of VPN technology do you use (e.g., SSL, IPsec)? How do you manage VPN access and monitor for suspicious activity?
- Review proposals and SLAs: Check for clear descriptions of VPN setup, ongoing support, and response times for connectivity issues.
- Internal checks: Identify who currently accesses your network remotely and how. Verify that remote connections are encrypted and require strong authentication.
- Policy considerations: Ensure you have a remote work security policy that includes VPN use, password requirements, and device security standards.
- Test your VPN: Regularly confirm that remote users can connect securely and that the VPN does not cause significant slowdowns or disruptions.
Implementing VPNs is a key step in securing remote work for Canadian SMBs, but it should be part of a broader security strategy. Discuss your specific needs and risks with a trusted managed IT provider who understands your industry and compliance environment. They can help design a solution that balances security, usability, and cost without unnecessary complexity.