Business virtual private network (VPN) software enables users to connect to private, secure networks of an organization. Companies utilize the best business VPN software to provide their employees with secure, encrypted, and remote access to the company’s internal network. This enables employees to access applications, files, printers, and other corporate resources on the corporate network as if they were at the office. Conversely, consumer-grade or personal VPNs are used by individuals to encrypt their data and mask their location when connecting to unsecured public networks at airports, libraries, coffee shops, etc.
Business VPN solutions often contain firewalls to prevent viruses, hacks, and other threats. Many network security software packages include VPNs but offer additional functionality and security than a standalone VPN. Corporate VPN solutions are evolving; many newer solutions include more robust network access control functionality with the technical underpinnings of zero trust networking software and software-defined perimeter (SDP) software.
To qualify for inclusion in the Business Virtual Private Network (VPN) category, a product must:
- Connect devices to private networks using encryption and security mechanisms
- Ensure only authorized access to private networks and sensitive data
- Sniff network traffic at the packet level to encrypt data
- Route connections to secure networks through tunneling protocols
