Remote Access for Your Business: A Simple Guide to VPNs and More

In today’s world, employees increasingly need to access office systems from outside the office—whether from home, a coffee shop, or while traveling. But opening your network to the internet without proper safeguards is risky. That’s where remote access technologies come in. Let’s break down the main options for businesses.

1. VPNs (Virtual Private Networks)

VPNs create a secure “tunnel” from a remote device to your office network, encrypting all traffic so hackers can’t intercept it. There are several popular types:

a. OpenVPN

• Open-source and widely used.
• Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices.
• Can be a bit complex to set up but highly configurable.

b. WireGuard

• A newer VPN protocol that is lightweight and fast.
• Easier to maintain than OpenVPN.
• Performs very well even on low-bandwidth connections.

c. IPsec-based VPNs

• Often included with business routers or firewalls.
• Secure and compatible with many devices.
• Sometimes harder to configure for multiple remote users.

Key benefits of VPNs:

• Full access to office resources (files, internal apps, printers).
• Strong encryption keeps company data safe.

Things to watch out for: VPNs can slow down internet speed, especially if many users connect simultaneously. Misconfigured VPNs can create security risks.

2. Zero Trust / Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP)

Zero Trust solutions, like Zscaler or Twingate, work differently than traditional VPNs. Instead of giving remote users full network access, they only allow access to the specific apps or servers the user needs.

Benefits:

• Reduced risk if a device is compromised.
• Easier to scale for a growing team.

Trade-offs:

• Typically subscription-based.
• Some solutions can be complex to integrate with older systems.

3. Remote Desktop Tools

Tools like Microsoft Remote Desktop, AnyDesk, or TeamViewer allow users to control an office PC from anywhere. This doesn’t connect them to the network—only to that specific computer.

Benefits:

• Simple setup.
• No need to configure full network access.

Trade-offs:

• Limited to the specific machines users log into.
• Performance depends on internet speed.

Choosing the Right Solution

• Small team, simple needs: A remote desktop tool might be enough.
• Mid-market business with multiple apps and shared resources: A VPN (WireGuard or OpenVPN) is often ideal.
• High security, modern approach: Consider a Zero Trust solution.

Bottom line: Remote access is essential for productivity, but security should never be an afterthought. VPNs remain the most common choice for businesses that need full office network access, while Zero Trust models are becoming more popular for organizations prioritizing security and simplicity.

Quick Comparison of Remote Access Technologies