Making the business case for VPNs

Zac Eller at ExpressVPN argues that digital security needs to be taken more seriously than ever and VPNs are an important part of the solution

 

In a global economy driven by connectivity, data has become one of the most valuable assets an organisation holds.

 

Recent tech advancements, such as generative AI and agentic AI, are unlocking new levels of innovation and efficiency for businesses. But they have also brought new vulnerabilities, expanding attack surfaces and introducing complex systems that are harder to secure. Whether a business operates across continents or within a single city, its exposure to digital threats is constantly evolving.

 

Cyber-security breaches are now commonplace and affect organisations of all sizes. Since 2019, cyber-attacks on retail companies have more than doubled, and the overwhelming focus overall has been on SME’s, with around 70% being affected in the last year.

 

Threats such as phishing, credential theft, and ransomware have become widespread.

 

Cyber-threats are continuing to evolve and affect even well-established organisations through both technical vulnerabilities and human error. With attackers constantly scanning for weaknesses, an unsecured connection can serve as a potential entry point. Businesses must adapt to this new era.

 

 

Moving beyond the perimeter

Cyber-security failures are costly. Just last year, UK businesses lost around £10 billion because of them. These failures can lead to downtime, legal exposure, reputational harm and financial loss. They can damage trust with customers and partners alike, and repairing that trust is a long and difficult process.

 

Another factor is that, since the pandemic, work has extended well beyond office walls. Hybrid models are now prevalent across most industries, with employees frequently accessing systems from home, in transit, or from shared workspaces. The increased adoption of cloud platforms and remote tools has enabled this flexibility, but it has also introduced new access points that require protection.

 

As such, traditional, perimeter-based security models are no longer enough on their own. Businesses need to secure data at the connection level, regardless of where employees are or what devices they use, as work is no longer confined to secure perimeters. This has, of course, become standard practice for many larger businesses that employ company-wide cyber-security software to secure company devices.

 

But what about smaller companies that do not necessarily have the budget or infrastructure for this? And, even for those who do have sophisticated security methods installed on company devices, what about employees’ personal devices, should they choose to use these for work?

 

 

Security, trust and the cost of inaction

As people and data move fluidly between home, office, cafes and airports, and - often - between both work and personal devices, tools like VPNs have become increasingly important. Not just for personal privacy, but to ensure sensitive business activity isn’t exposed across unknown networks.

 

While VPNs are often associated with personal use, they’re now also becoming a quiet fixture in how many organisations are choosing to protect traffic across remote and hybrid teams.

 

The need for this kind of protection is growing, especially as the lines between personal and work devices continue to blur. It’s now common to use a work laptop to shop online or to check business email from a personal phone. That overlap might seem harmless, but it puts both corporate and personal data at risk in ways that traditional security tools don’t always catch.

 

The other benefit is that VPNs can also be used to allow secure access to internal resources, something which is especially important in sectors that deal with sensitive or regulated information, such as healthcare, finance, and legal services. Ensuring compliance with data protection laws often depends on secure access controls, something desperately needed in these areas.

 

While no single solution can prevent all cyber-threats, VPNs can play an important role as part of a wider security strategy. They are relatively straightforward to implement, and they scale well for organisations of varying sizes and structures. IT teams can manage access, monitor usage, and respond quickly to changes without the need for complex infrastructure.

 

In today’s environment, trust is the crucial factor. Customers want to know their information is protected, and employees want tools that are reliable and secure. Choosing to implement strong and purpose-led digital protections is not only a technical decision but also a strategic one. It signals that a business takes its responsibilities seriously.

 

 

A new age of digital security

Cyber-threats are not going away anytime soon. Business leaders are concerned that they are growing in both number and sophistication. Businesses must approach cyber-security with all seriousness and see it as a fundamental part of their operations.

 

Being able to encrypt their internet traffic and mask their users’ IP addresses provides businesses with safety when communicating, reducing both the risk and appetite for surveillance. Simply put, businesses need to realise that digital security is just as important as physical security.

 

Nearly every business now operates in a digital landscape that is fast-moving and filled with risk. Protecting online activity is no longer an optional concern. In a world where information is power, protecting that information needs to be a top priority.

 

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Zac Eller is GM, Global Partnerships at ExpressVPN

 

Main image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com and courtneyk