VPNs: critical protection for businesses and consumers

Most of us know how to spot a simple scam or phishing email. However, cyber-crime has evolved far beyond these basic threats. Today’s cyber-attacks strike with a scale and speed that few are prepared for.

 

According to CrowdStrike data, hackers can now breach a network in an average of just 48 minutes - and sometimes in under 60 seconds. The window to detect a threat is closing fast, leaving almost no time to respond before the damage is done.

 

 

Escalation of cyber-threats in Britain

Global cyber-crime is projected to cost businesses a staggering $15 trillion by 2029, making it one of the most severe economic risks of the decade. The danger is mounting fast: in a single year, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre noted a 130% spike in severe attacks.

 

These aren’t distant threats - they are already striking some of the UK’s biggest household names. In 2025 alone, lightning-fast attacks crippled Marks & Spencer retail operations, and even compromised the sensitive data of thousands of children in the Kido International nursery network.

 

 

What’s driving the accelerating speed of cyber-crime?

Several forces are driving this surge. First, artificial intelligence has made hacking dangerously accessible. Even inexperienced attackers can now use AI tools to generate highly convincing phishing emails and clone websites at scale.

 

Second, the scale, speed, and sophistication of cyber-attacks are escalating at an unprecedented rate. As cyber-criminals use faster and more advanced tactics, companies face a serious challenge: continuously educating and preparing their employees. The risk of human error remains one of the greatest vulnerabilities in any security system. The M&S breach is a stark example of this; hackers gained access through social engineering - impersonating a trusted source to trick an employee into handing over their passwords or login access.

 

Finally, hackers are now playing the long game. They’re using a "harvest now, decrypt later" approach, stealing encrypted data today with the expectation that next-generation quantum computers will easily crack it open tomorrow.

 

 

Why just being careful is no longer enough

Spotting suspicious links, recognising fake websites, and using multi-factor authentication are crucial first steps. But these defences share a fatal flaw: they rely entirely on human behaviour.

 

With AI generating nearly perfect phishing emails and malware becoming more aggressive, human vigilance alone is no longer a match for the speed of modern attacks. A single slip-up doesn’t just compromise data - it can paralyse physical operations.

 

We can no longer rely on everyone being perfectly alert 24/7. Instead, both individuals and organisations need security that works quietly in the background, neutralising threats before they require a human decision. One of the most effective yet frequently overlooked tools for this is a virtual private network (VPN).

 

 

How does a VPN protect businesses?

At its core, a VPN acts as a secure, encrypted tunnel for internet traffic. By routing data through a private remote server, it prevents third parties - such as hackers lurking on public Wi-Fi or compromised network operators - from intercepting sensitive information in transit. Modern infrastructure enables this heavy encryption to operate at high speeds with minimal performance loss.

 

For the individual user, this technology serves as a silent digital safeguard. It shields personal data and online activity on completely unsecured networks. Reputable providers operate under strict "no-logs" policies, ensuring user activity is never stored, tracked, or monetised by outside entities or the VPN provider itself.

 

VPNs also address several practical business risks. They establish a secure channel for remote workers to access corporate systems, preserving confidentiality regardless of location.

 

This secure connectivity also protects travelling and remote employees across airports, hotel lobbies, and cafes. Open public networks expose devices to severe risks, including fake hotspots, man-in-the-middle attacks that intercept data, and routine packet sniffing, designed to hijack active login sessions or monitor browsing behaviour.

 

A VPN helps mitigate these vulnerabilities. By encrypting the user’s connection, it minimises the risk of bad actors deciphering intercepted traffic. Furthermore, this secure connectivity ensures continuity - travelling employees facing restricted international networks can reliably access company tools without compromising internal security.

 

 

From a secure tunnel to a next-gen antivirus

Malware remains a highly destructive threat, routinely stealing credentials and deploying ransomware via infected sites and downloads. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, personal data is the most frequently compromised asset. Stolen names, physical addresses, and financial details dramatically increase the risk of identity theft and extortion, while exposing organisations to severe regulatory fines and reputational damage.

 

Offering far more than just a secure connection, VPNs have evolved to become a proactive first line of online defence. Some premium VPNs can now effectively function as a next-generation antivirus. Advanced platforms integrate threat protection measures directly at the network level, working silently to automatically block access to malicious domains and websites, neutralise web trackers, and scan incoming downloads for malware.

 

By stopping malicious code at the gateway before it reaches the device, a modern VPN provides the essential, everyday security now lacking in traditional consumer tools.

 

 

Preparing for what comes next

AI-driven attacks are currently reshaping the landscape of cyber-crime, adding to an already massive list of existing cyber-threats. As these attacks grow increasingly indistinguishable from reality, reactive security will no longer be enough. The future of digital safety requires next-generation tools that neutralise threats and significantly limit the human error factor.

 

By encrypting data in transit, securing remote access, and limiting the dangerous reliance on error-free human judgment, premium VPNs deliver the essential protection necessary for today’s digital landscape.

 

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Marijus Briedis is Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN

 

Main image courtesy of iStockPhoto.com and PonyWang