Cyberattacks have increased sharply in recent years, and they show no signs of slowing down. In fact, 68% of organizations experienced at least one data breach in the past year alone.[1] From ransomware campaigns to credential stuffing, enterprises are facing a growing range of threats. As remote work, cloud adoption, and global collaboration have become the norm, the need for secure, encrypted connections has increased.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are among the most trusted tools for enterprise security. VPNs are built to protect sensitive data and user activity from unauthorized access.
But here’s the problem, not all VPNs offer the same level of security. Many businesses think their VPN is set up correctly, but mistakes and old protocols can leave them exposed to attacks.
Why are VPNs essential for enterprise security?
A VPN acts like a secure corridor, encrypting traffic as it moves between endpoints. For enterprises, this means:
- Protecting sensitive customer and business data from unauthorized access.
- Blocking threats like IP spoofing, session hijacking, and man-in-the-middle attacks that target data in transit.
- Supporting compliance with regulations like CIS, HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS.
But here’s where many companies stumble: they rely on consumer-grade VPNs. These may be fine for individual use, but they lack centralized control, logging, and role-based access essentials for Enterprise Security.
A Business VPN, on the other hand, is designed for scalability, policy enforcement, and secure remote access at scale. It gives IT teams the visibility and control needed to keep users safe, regardless of where they’re connecting from.
Top VPN best practices to strengthen enterprise security
1. Choose a business-grade VPN
Not all VPNs are created equal, and consumer-grade options simply don’t fit enterprise-level needs.
A Business VPN provides essential capabilities such as:
- Centralized management for configuring and maintaining VPN settings across the organization.
- User provisioning and de-provisioning to quickly onboard new employees or revoke access for former ones.
- Logging and compliance support to help meet standards like CIS, GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2.
- Integration with SIEM and IAM tools for real-time monitoring and identity-based access control.
In contrast, consumer VPNs are designed for individual privacy, lacking the scalability, control, and compliance features critical for enterprise environments. For any organization concerned with data protection and operational control, a business-grade VPN is non-negotiable.
2. Use strong encryption protocols
Encryption forms the backbone of VPN security. Without strong encryption, data in transit is vulnerable to interception and manipulation.
Always use:
- AES-128 & AES-256 encryption is an industry standard trusted by governments and enterprises alike.
- Modern tunneling protocols such as OpenVPN and WireGuard, known for their balance of performance and security.
Upgrade outdated protocols such as:
- PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) – Easily broken with modern computing capabilities.
- L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) without IPSec – Vulnerable unless paired with a strong encryption layer.
Remember, your VPN is only as strong as the encryption protocols it uses. Choosing secure standards now saves your business from costly breaches later.
3. Use VPN tunneling effectively
VPN tunneling is the mechanism that ensures data privacy and security while it travels across untrusted networks like the Internet.
Tunneling works by encapsulating and encrypting data packets, protecting them from being intercepted or altered by attackers. Depending on your needs, there are two main tunneling methods:
- Split Tunneling: Routes only select application traffic through the VPN while allowing other data to go directly to the internet.
- Pro: Improves performance and reduces bandwidth usage.
- Con: Increases risk of data leakage or traffic interception.
- Full Tunneling: Directs all network traffic through the VPN, regardless of its destination.
- Pro: Maximum protection for all traffic.
- Con: Might affect speed and user experience.
When to use what:
- Full Tunneling is best for remote employees working on public Wi-Fi. It keeps all their internet traffic secure.
- Split Tunneling works for employees in secure environments who only need access to internal tools. It improves speed without compromising too much on security.
Striking the right balance between performance and security is essential to an effective VPN implementation.
4. Adopt a Zero Trust approach
In traditional network models, VPN access often meant blanket trust. But in a modern zero trust model, “never trust, always verify” is the guiding principle, even for users already on the VPN.
Incorporate zero trust into your VPN strategy by requiring:
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) before establishing a VPN connection.
- Endpoint security checks to ensure the connecting device is encrypted, updated, and compliant.
- Least-privilege access, granting users only the resources absolutely necessary for their role.
VPN access should be treated as a conditional privilege, not a permanent right.
5. Enforce secure access policies
Technology without the right policies can quickly become a liability. Secure access policies ensure that even valid users can only interact with resources they’re authorized to access.
Implement:
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) aligns access levels with job responsibilities.
- Context-aware access rules that take into account device type, location, time of access, and risk level.
- Conditional access policies that automatically restrict high-risk actions or require extra verification.
These policies should be enforced through your Business VPN’s management console for consistent, real-time governance.
6. Monitor VPN activity proactively
Security doesn’t end at access, it begins there. Real-time monitoring is crucial to detect suspicious behavior and stop threats before they escalate.
Key actions to implement:
- Log VPN activity, including session durations, IP addresses, and login locations.
- Identify anomalies such as failed login attempts, simultaneous logins from different locations, or continuous 24/7 access.
- Integrate logs into your SIEM system to correlate activity with broader network events.
Proactive monitoring helps you spot early warning signs and take action before damage is done.
7. Conduct regular network audits
Even a strong VPN setup can weaken over time. Settings change, users get added or removed, and old access points can be forgotten. Regular network audits help catch these issues early and keep your VPN security up to date.
Why audits matter:
- Eliminate unused tunnels and services: Dormant connections are easy targets for attackers. Disabling what’s no longer needed reduces your potential attack surface.
- Remove obsolete access: Former employees or inactive contractors should not retain access to your network. Cleaning up these credentials helps prevent insider threats and accidental exposures.
- Correct misconfigurations: Open ports, weak encryption protocols, or overly permissive access rules can go unnoticed. Audits help you catch and fix these issues before they’re exploited.
Tip: Conduct quarterly audits or more frequently if your infrastructure changes constantly. Make it part of your change management and security review cycles.
8. Enforce secure alternatives to legacy protocols
Legacy protocols were designed for a time when cybersecurity threats looked very different. Today, attackers know precisely how to exploit these outdated systems, and many still scan networks specifically for them.
What to replace and why:
- Replace FTP with SFTP: SFTP encrypts files and login details during transfer, keeping your data secure.
- Replace Telnet with SSH: Telnet sends data in plain text, while SSH encrypts everything for safer communication.
- Replace PPTP or L2TP without IPSec with OpenVPN or WireGuard: Older VPN protocols lack strong security. Modern ones offer better encryption and protect against common threats.
Legacy tools are easy entry points. Upgrading to modern, secure alternatives is a quick win that strengthens your enterprise security posture.
9. Allow only necessary traffic
Every open port, service, or unused application widens the door for potential attacks. That’s why controlling traffic flow is one of the most powerful VPN security practices.
Follow the “default-deny” model. Block all traffic by default. Then, explicitly allow only the traffic that’s essential to business operations.
How to apply it effectively:
- Create detailed firewall rules: Define what’s allowed based on IP addresses, ports, applications, or protocols.
- Segment traffic by need: Internal apps, remote access tools, and third-party services should all follow tailored access policies.
- Review rules regularly: As your network evolves, so should your access controls. Old rules can quickly become security liabilities.
This strategy aligns with the principle of least access, helping you maintain tighter control and reduce potential exposure points.
10. Implement strict network segmentation
No enterprise should rely on a flat network structure. Once attackers get inside, an unsegmented environment makes it easy for them to explore laterally and cause widespread damage.
Network segmentation limits this risk. With your business VPN, you can define access zones and apply user or device-specific restrictions that enforce boundaries between environments. In simple words it is a security control that restricts access between different parts of a network, even when users are connected via VPN.
Best practices for segmentation:
- Separate sensitive workloads: Isolate high-value systems like finance, HR, legal, and R&D from general operations.
- Restrict lateral movement: If one device or user is compromised, segmentation prevents attackers from jumping to other parts of the network.
- Deploy internal firewalls: Internal firewalls add inspection and filtering layers between network segments, improving visibility and containment.
Think of it as creating locked rooms within your network instead of one giant hallway.
11. Train employees on secure VPN usage
Your VPN is only as strong as the people using it. If employees skip the VPN on public Wi-Fi or fall for phishing links, even the best security can fail.
Make training a non-negotiable part of your strategy:
- Remote work hygiene: Instruct employees to always use the VPN when connecting from coffee shops, airports, or home networks.
- Security awareness: Help staff identify common threats like phishing emails, fake login pages, or suspicious file downloads.
- Password best practices: Encourage strong, unique passwords, and promote the use of password managers. Educate on the risks of password reuse.
Tip: Make training interactive and ongoing. Don’t just check a box once a year. Periodic refreshers, simulated phishing tests, and policy updates help keep security top of mind.
Common VPN misconfigurations and mistakes
Even with the best tools, small mistakes can open big security holes. Here are some common issues to watch for:
- Using weak or default credentials: Default usernames and passwords are easy for attackers to guess. Always change them and enforce strong password policies.
- Enabling split tunneling by default: This can let sensitive data bypass the VPN, exposing it to the internet. Use it only when necessary and with strict controls.
- Giving users too many privileges: If regular users have admin-level access, a single compromised account can lead to major damage. Stick to the principle of least privilege.
- Skipping software updates: Outdated VPN software or firmware may contain known vulnerabilities. Regular updates are critical for patching security holes.
- Not revoking access for former employees: If someone leaves the company and still has VPN access, they could pose a serious insider threat. Always remove access promptly.
Fixing these small issues can go a long way in keeping your VPN and your enterprise secure.
What’s next for VPNs: The road ahead for enterprise security
VPNs are becoming smarter, faster, and more integrated into the larger enterprise security ecosystem. Looking ahead, VPNs will be delivered as cloud-native solutions, offering greater scalability and reliability for businesses with distributed teams. Modern VPNs will also become part of broader security frameworks, combining network, security functions, and compliance settings into a unified cloud-based service.
As regulations grow more complex, modern VPNs will play a crucial role in simplifying audits, enforcing policy-based access, and generating real-time compliance reports. These capabilities will be key to helping enterprises stay secure and compliant amid growing cybersecurity challenges.
Strengthen your enterprise security with a smarter, more secure VPN strategy. Schedule your demo today and see how Scalefusion Veltar simplifies VPN security, boosts compliance, and scales with your business needs.
Reference:
1. IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024
FAQs
1. What are some essential VPN best practices for businesses?
Key VPN best practices include using a Business VPN, enabling strong encryption, adopting Zero Trust, auditing access regularly, and limiting traffic. These steps help boost VPN security and overall Enterprise Security.
2. Why should businesses choose a Business VPN over a personal VPN?
A Business VPN offers centralized management, user access controls, compliance support, and better integration with enterprise tools. It’s built for the scale and security demands of Enterprise Security. A personal VPN lacks these features.
3. How does VPN tunneling impact VPN security?
VPN tunneling is a core component of VPN security. It encapsulates and encrypts data traffic to protect it from unauthorized access and interception.
4. How often should businesses audit their VPN setup?
Regular VPN audits, ideally quarterly, are a recommended VPN best practice. They help identify misconfigurations, remove outdated access, and ensure your VPN security is up to date.
5. What role does a Business VPN play in an overall Enterprise Security?
A Business VPN is a foundational layer of Enterprise Security. It encrypts sensitive data, enforces secure remote access, supports compliance efforts, and integrates with broader security tools like firewalls and IAM systems. When aligned with VPN Best Practices, it strengthens the entire security framework.
