The pandemic made remote work a norm as most businesses had to embrace it to stay operational. It was not a choice for them when offices had to shut down definitely. Even as things move towards the new normal, many employers have decided to continue with the model.
The advantages of WFH go beyond safeguarding employees from the spread of the virus. Businesses can cut down operational expenses, while employees get to save on commuting costs and times.
But there are some downsides of working from home, and the biggest challenge relates to security risks. Hackers may try to infiltrate networks, and employees can compromise security unintentionally as they access data and network remotely.
Employee education and the implementation of a robust remote work policy can go a long way in curbing these risks. But anyone working from home knows that things may still go wrong, but you have a viable solution.
If you plan to work from home for the long haul, switching to a virtual private network is a good option. A VPN establishes a private network between your device and the internet.
It offers more than privacy and security for social networking, online gaming, and other activities. So think beyond these benefits while making a VPN a part of your WFH plan. Here are some reasons you must do it.
Alleviates security risks
Security risks are inherent for corporate employees as they handle confidential information every day. But they become even more daunting when you work remotely, and there are good chances of corporate data being compromised.
Cybercriminals can use the remote work model to find new avenues for attack by intercepting unencrypted connections. They can sniff passwords and even steal sensitive data that lies open with the WFH model.
Moreover, unsuspecting employees may leave data open, and an unsecured network can lead to a mishap. Using a VPN secures the connection between your computer and the corporate network. You need not worry about the safety of your passwords and employer data anymore. You can connect securely and work freely.
Boosts productivity
Low productivity is one of the biggest concerns for employers who opt for a remote model and employees who work from home. You tend to be less productive because of the distractions in your living space.
It is hard to deal with naughty kids and noise from the neighborhood in the middle of a busy workday or an important client meeting. Apart from kids and pets, apprehension about privacy can be a distraction that can hamper your work even more.
It is an even bigger concern, as you feel responsible for safeguarding the confidential data of your employer. But having a VPN gets you into a comfort zone. You need not worry about protecting your data from hackers. So you can focus on the work at hand and give your best at all times.
Another productivity benefit of a VPN is that it prevents data throttling, and you can work without interruptions and cruise through the experience.
Home VPNs are affordable
Most organizations are comfortable with the WFH concept because VPNs make them confident about data security. Beyond that, it can drive significant cost-savings in the long term.
The company’s IT department configures a reliable option such as VPN for PC by atlasVPN to connect employee devices with the workplace and ensure a private environment. It saves money for both employers and employees without costing a fortune.
Employers can operate without spending on office rent, infrastructure, and utilities, while employees can cut down the daily commute expenses. It can be a great help when businesses and people need to save every dollar amid the economic downturn.
Enables remote access to work PCs
A VPN also facilitates remote access to work PCs, and the best part is that you can do it without security risks. You can use remote access software to connect with your work desktop even as you work from home.
It wouldn’t be a problem if your company’s IT policy allows VPN access, and it is enabled by the IT department. A colleague in the office only has to switch on your computer there, and you can access it from your current location.
In this way, you can use all the data at work and also get the benefits of the security setup of the office. You can do your job seamlessly by accessing whatever you want, while the employer can rest assured that their confidential data is in safe hands.
Protects you on public Wi-Fi
WFH for the long haul is easier said than done as you are bound to feel stressed more often than you imagine. It can hit your performance and even cause employee burnout in the long run. It is a good idea to step out and spend some hours in a cafe or a co-working space for a change.
While these places have free Wi-Fi, there is always a risk when going online with a freebie. Such networks cannot be trusted for security because hackers constantly have an eye on them. They can easily get through and steal your data when you use the Wi-Fi network.
Using a VPN to connect with public Wi-Fi gives you a layer of security, and you can use it without worrying about compromising your data or passwords. It protects you at all times, at home and outside.
A VPN makes a great tool for WFH as it keeps you secure online, whether you work from home or a cafe. Ideally, your employer will provide a VPN as a part of remote work tools, but it is a worthy investment even if you have to get it yourself.
You can use it for personal browsing, shopping, streaming content, and reserving tickets and hotels. Even as you access confidential information such as bank accounts and tax details, you never have to stress about losing out on them.
VPN is easy to implement and requires little know-how to use. But its advantages are immense, so you must integrate it into your plan sooner rather than later.