The global shift to remote and hybrid work, once an emerging trend, has become a permanent fixture for millions of businesses, fundamentally reshaping the corporate landscape. This decentralization, while offering unprecedented flexibility, has also dissolved the traditional office-based security perimeter, creating a new, sprawling attack surface for cybercriminals. To counter this, organizations are now turning to a sophisticated suite of security tools, spearheaded by business-grade Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), to protect sensitive data, secure network access, and empower a productive, distributed workforce. These tools are no longer optional IT expenses but core investments in business continuity, safeguarding company assets from home offices, co-working spaces, and public Wi-Fi networks across the globe.
Why Standard Security Measures Fall Short for Remote Work
For decades, corporate cybersecurity operated on a “castle-and-moat” model. All the valuable data and critical systems were the castle, and a strong, fortified network perimeter—the moat—protected everything inside. Employees worked within this secure environment, and security efforts were focused on guarding the entry and exit points.
The remote work revolution completely demolished this model. Now, the “castle” is fragmented, with data and access points scattered across countless locations. Each employee’s home network, personal laptop, and mobile device represents a potential breach point, far outside the direct control of a central IT department.
This new reality introduces significant vulnerabilities. Home Wi-Fi routers are often poorly configured with default passwords, personal devices may lack up-to-date antivirus software, and employees can be more susceptible to sophisticated phishing attacks when working in isolation. The perimeter has vanished, demanding a new security paradigm focused on verifying every user and device, regardless of location.
The Cornerstone of Remote Security: The Business VPN
At the heart of modern remote security is the business-grade VPN. A VPN creates a secure, encrypted “tunnel” over the public internet. All data passing through this tunnel is scrambled and unreadable to outsiders, effectively re-establishing a private network for the remote employee, no matter where they are connecting from.
However, it is crucial to differentiate between consumer VPNs, designed for individual privacy, and business VPNs, built for organizational security and management. While a consumer VPN might be great for streaming geo-blocked content, it lacks the essential features required to secure an entire team.
Key Features of a Business VPN
When selecting a VPN for a remote team, leaders should prioritize solutions that offer a specific set of enterprise-focused features. These capabilities are what separate a true security tool from a simple privacy application.
Dedicated IP Addresses
Unlike consumer VPNs that often share IP addresses among thousands of users, business solutions provide dedicated or static IPs. This is critical for creating access control rules and whitelisting IP addresses, ensuring that only company-approved connections can reach sensitive servers, cloud applications, or internal databases.
Centralized Management
A business VPN must have a centralized administrative dashboard. This allows IT managers to easily add or remove users, assign them to specific teams or gateways, enforce security policies universally, and monitor network activity for potential threats. This control is fundamental to maintaining security hygiene across a distributed workforce.
Scalability and Performance
The right solution should be able to grow with your company. Top-tier business VPNs offer scalable infrastructure that can handle an increasing number of users and data loads without sacrificing speed. Many now leverage modern protocols like WireGuard, which provides significantly better performance and reliability than older protocols like OpenVPN.
Advanced Security Features
Look for features like a kill switch, which automatically cuts internet access if the VPN connection drops, preventing any data from leaking onto an unsecured network. Another key feature is split tunneling, which allows an administrator to decide which traffic goes through the VPN (e.g., work-related apps) and which can access the internet directly (e.g., personal streaming), optimizing bandwidth and user experience.
Top VPN and Secure Access Solutions for Remote Teams
The market for remote access solutions has evolved beyond traditional VPNs into more holistic platforms. Here are some of the leading providers that cater to the diverse needs of modern businesses.
NordLayer
Built by the trusted team behind the consumer giant NordVPN, NordLayer is an adaptive network access solution designed for simplicity and robust security. It is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that need a powerful yet easy-to-deploy tool. It combines a traditional VPN’s strengths with features aligned with the Zero Trust security model.
NordLayer offers a straightforward management panel, fast connection speeds thanks to its NordLynx protocol (a version of WireGuard), and essential security features like auto-connect and a kill switch. Its ThreatBlock feature also helps prevent employees from accessing malicious websites, adding an extra layer of proactive defense.
Perimeter 81
Perimeter 81 represents the next step in the evolution of remote access, positioning itself as a comprehensive Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform. It’s more than just a VPN; it’s a unified network security solution aimed at mid-market and enterprise clients looking to replace multiple legacy products with a single cloud-based service.
It integrates Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), and secure web gateway capabilities. This means IT teams can create granular, identity-based access policies, ensuring employees can only access the specific applications and resources they need for their job, drastically reducing the potential attack surface.
Twingate
Twingate offers a modern, software-defined perimeter solution that is rapidly gaining popularity for its performance and granular control. Unlike a traditional VPN that grants broad network access, Twingate operates on a pure ZTNA model. It makes internal applications invisible to the public internet and provides direct, encrypted access to specific resources on a per-user, per-device basis.
This approach is often faster and less cumbersome for users than a full-tunnel VPN. It’s an excellent choice for organizations with a strong DevOps culture and those looking to provide secure access to cloud-native applications and private infrastructure without exposing their entire network.
Beyond the VPN: A Multi-Layered Security Strategy
While a VPN or ZTNA solution is the foundation of remote security, it cannot be the only line of defense. A resilient security posture requires a multi-layered approach that addresses threats at every level, from the employee’s device to their online behavior.
Endpoint Protection and EDR
Every remote device—laptops, desktops, and mobile phones—is an endpoint. Traditional antivirus software is no longer sufficient. Modern businesses need Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions like CrowdStrike Falcon or SentinelOne. EDR tools continuously monitor endpoints for suspicious behavior, using AI to detect and automatically respond to advanced threats that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Securing user identity is paramount. Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is the single most effective step a company can take to protect against credential theft. MFA requires users to provide a second form of verification (like a code from an app or a biometric scan) in addition to their password. Solutions like Okta, Duo, or Microsoft Entra ID also provide Single Sign-On (SSO), which streamlines access to multiple applications while centralizing security control.
Password Management
Weak, reused, or stolen passwords remain a primary cause of data breaches. A business-grade password manager, such as 1Password for Business or Bitwarden, is essential. These tools allow teams to generate, store, and securely share strong, unique passwords for every service, all managed through a central administrative console.
Security Awareness Training
The most sophisticated technology can be undermined by human error. Employees are the first line of defense, and they must be trained to recognize and report threats. Platforms like KnowBe4 or Proofpoint Security Awareness Training provide ongoing, engaging training modules and simulated phishing campaigns to teach employees how to spot malicious emails, social engineering tactics, and other common scams.
Conclusion
The era of the centralized, office-only workforce is over, and the security strategies of the past are no longer adequate. For businesses to thrive in a distributed world, they must adopt a proactive, multi-layered security framework built for flexibility and resilience. This begins with a robust secure access solution—whether a modern business VPN or a ZTNA platform—but must be supported by endpoint protection, rigorous identity management, and continuous employee training. Investing in this comprehensive security stack is not merely a defensive measure; it is a strategic enabler of secure, productive, and scalable remote operations for years to come.
