Is your company’s sensitive data truly protected? Can your employees access resources without a hitch? A robust VPN is the answer, but setting it up can be a minefield. Don’t let your business fall behind!
Safeguarding your company’s sensitive data and ensuring seamless employee access to resources is paramount. A robust VPN is essential, but its implementation can be complex and fraught with challenges.
This blog reveals the 5 best practices for setting up an enterprise VPN, ensuring top-notch security and performance. Discover how a solution like Veltar can further elevate your VPN’s power.
Don’t wait – a seamless and secure VPN awaits!
Best practices for setting up an Enterprise VPN
1. Choose the right VPN type and architecture
Understanding VPN options
The first step in setting up your enterprise VPN is to decide on the type of VPN and the architecture that best fits your business needs. There are two main types:
- Remote access VPN: This option allows individual users to connect securely to the company network. It is ideal for remote workers who need access to internal resources from various locations.
- Site-to-site VPN: This option connects entire networks, such as two or more office locations. It creates a secure bridge between different sites so that resources can be shared safely.
Each type comes with its own set of advantages. Remote access VPNs are flexible and user-friendly, while site-to-site VPNs ensure seamless communication between branches without relying on public networks.
Cloud-based vs. On-Premises VPN
Your choice of VPN architecture should also consider whether a cloud-based or on-premises solution is more suitable. A cloud-based VPN can offer scalability and ease of management, especially for businesses that are rapidly growing or those that lack extensive IT infrastructure. On the other hand, an on-premises solution might be preferable for companies that require tighter control over their hardware and data, especially in highly regulated industries.
Key considerations
When selecting your VPN type and architecture, consider the following factors:
- Scalability: Will the solution grow with your business?
- Encryption standards: Does the VPN support strong encryption methods that meet your security requirements?
- Security integrations: How easily does the VPN integrate with other security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and multi-factor authentication?
Getting these details right from the beginning sets the stage for a robust VPN setup that can handle both current needs and future expansion.
2. Implement strong authentication and access controls
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires users to verify their identity through multiple methods—typically something they know (a password), something they have (a smartphone or token), or something they are (biometric data). This extra layer of verification ensures that even if a password is compromised, the account remains protected.
Role-based access control (RBAC)
RBAC allows you to control access to sensitive network areas by assigning roles to users based on their job responsibilities. For example, an employee in accounting might have access only to financial records, while an IT professional might have broader access to system configurations. RBAC minimizes the risk of data exposure by ensuring users see only what they need to perform their tasks.
Device trust policies
It is equally important to ensure that only secure, trusted devices can connect to the VPN. Device trust policies require that every device meets certain security criteria—such as having up-to-date antivirus software, operating system patches, and secure configurations—before it is granted access. This reduces the risk of compromised devices introducing vulnerabilities into the network.
3. Optimize performance and scalability
Efficient traffic management
A well-performing VPN must handle traffic efficiently. Techniques like load balancing distribute network traffic across multiple servers or VPN gateways. This ensures that no single server is overwhelmed, which can cause slowdowns or service interruptions.
Split tunneling
Split tunneling is a method that routes only a portion of the network traffic through the VPN, while other traffic accesses the internet directly. This technique can reduce latency and improve performance by ensuring that only critical or sensitive data is encrypted and routed through the secure tunnel.
Choosing the right VPN protocol
Protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPSec each have their advantages. WireGuard, for example, is known for its simplicity and high performance, while OpenVPN offers flexibility and widespread compatibility. IPSec is often favored for site-to-site VPNs due to its robust security features. The choice of protocol should align with both your performance needs and security requirements.
Scaling the infrastructure
As your organization grows, so will the number of users and devices accessing the VPN. Deploying multiple VPN gateways can help manage high user loads, ensuring that each gateway can handle a portion of the traffic. This distributed approach not only improves performance but also enhances reliability; if one gateway encounters issues, others can continue to provide service.
4. Strengthen encryption and security measures
Using strong encryption
Encryption is at the heart of VPN security. Using strong encryption methods, such as AES-256, ensures that the data traveling through the VPN remains confidential and secure. AES-256 is widely recognized for its strength and is used by many organizations to protect sensitive information.
Regular software updates
Regular updates ensure that known vulnerabilities are patched promptly, reducing the risk of exploitation. An outdated VPN setup can become a weak link in your security chain, so scheduling regular maintenance and updates is a best practice that should not be overlooked.
Traffic inspection and anomaly detection
Beyond encryption, it is important to have systems in place that monitor the VPN traffic continuously. Traffic inspection helps detect unusual patterns that may indicate an intrusion or other security issues. Anomaly detection tools can alert administrators to potential threats, allowing for a quick response. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of a security breach by catching issues before they escalate.
5. Monitor, audit, and maintain VPN security
Real-time monitoring and logging
Constant monitoring of your VPN is necessary to maintain a high level of security. Real-time monitoring tools help IT admins keep an eye on network activity, ensuring that any suspicious behavior is noticed immediately.
Logging all access and activity is also essential, as it provides a detailed record that can be analyzed in case of any incidents. These logs can help identify vulnerabilities and track down the source of a problem.
Regular security audits
Conducting regular security audits ensures that your VPN setup complies with your company’s security policies and any relevant regulatory requirements. These audits involve reviewing the configuration, access logs, and performance data to identify any weaknesses or potential areas for improvement. Regular audits are a proactive measure that helps maintain the integrity of your VPN over time.
Manual configuration management
While some businesses opt for automation in various areas of IT management, it’s important to note that not all configurations need to be automated. Manual configuration allows for a more controlled and deliberate approach, ensuring that every change is carefully considered and tested.
This method can be particularly beneficial in environments where security and precision are paramount. Ensure that manual processes are documented and that staff are trained to perform these tasks consistently and accurately.
How Veltar meets Enterprise VPN best practices
Unmatched security and performance
Veltar uses advanced encryption techniques and cryptographic routing to protect your data end to end. The system relies on key-based routing to ensure that sensitive information remains confidential during transit. With features like split VPN tunnels, you can choose to encrypt critical traffic while allowing non-sensitive data to flow freely. This flexibility helps maintain high performance without compromising security.
Centralized traffic management and connectivity
Managing network traffic is simple with Veltar. Peer-to-hub connections allow you to route and manage traffic securely through a central hub. This centralized approach simplifies setup and ensures that your network remains organized and secure. Additionally, built-in IP roaming automatically updates and adjusts a peer’s IP address, so remote users experience uninterrupted connectivity—even during IP transitions.
Robust access controls
Veltar offers precise control over who accesses your network resources. Role-based access policies let you restrict resource access to only those who need it, reducing the risk of unauthorized use. With integrations like Scalefusion OneIdP for seamless SSO and custom OIDC authentication, the system continuously verifies users, ensuring that only authorized personnel gain access. Features such as on-demand access and periodic access control tests further tighten security by limiting privileges when necessary.
Enhanced traffic routing and policy enforcement
A designated VPN internet gateway in Veltar routes traffic efficiently while enforcing consistent encryption and security policies. This means that data is always protected, whether it’s moving between branches or accessed by remote employees. Veltar’s cryptographic routing guarantees high network performance, making sure that traffic is managed securely and efficiently.
Transparent monitoring and auditing
Every configuration change is logged, providing a clear trail that can help identify and address any security vulnerabilities promptly. This transparency helps with troubleshooting and ensures that your network adheres to compliance standards.
Scalability for modern enterprises
Designed for forward-thinking organizations, Veltar’s lightweight design supports fast connections with low CPU usage. Its scalability means that as your enterprise grows, the VPN setup grows with it—without sacrificing security or performance. This makes Veltar an ideal choice for businesses looking to expand while still maintaining stringent security standards.
Key features at a glance:
- Split VPN Tunnel: Encrypt critical traffic while allowing flexibility for non-sensitive data.
- Peer-to-Hub connections: Securely route and manage traffic through a centralized hub.
- Cryptographic routing: Ensure secure traffic management with advanced key-based routing.
- Built-in IP roaming: Maintain uninterrupted connectivity during IP transitions.
- VPN internet gateway: Consistently encrypt and route traffic with a designated gateway.
- User access policy & access control test: Enforce role-based access and verify control measures to protect data integrity.
- On-demand access: Grant time-limited privileges to reduce unnecessary exposure.
- SSO with OneIdP & custom OIDC authentication: Seamlessly authenticate users to ensure secure access.
- Audit logging: Track configuration changes transparently for better network management.
Setting up an enterprise VPN: A secure, scalable and reliable approach
Setting up an enterprise VPN is about security, reliability, and control. Choosing the right architecture, enforcing strong authentication, optimizing performance, and continuous monitoring keep your network protected.
Veltar enhances this by offering strong encryption, strict access controls, real-time monitoring and seamless scalability. It ensures secure, high-performance connectivity for remote teams and corporate assets.
By following these best practices and leveraging Veltar, businesses can safeguard data, prevent cyber threats and ensure smooth operations.
Contact our experts today and schedule a demo to learn more!
