How to Set Up a VPN for Remote Access

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel between a remote device and your office network, letting staff access file shares, internal applications, and other resources securely as if they were sitting at their desk. Setting one up properly is worth doing right the first time.

Most business-grade firewalls include VPN capability built in, which is usually a better option than a consumer-grade or free VPN service for business use, since it integrates with your existing network security. Make sure any VPN access requires multi-factor authentication, not just a username and password.

Once it's set up, test it thoroughly from an actual home network before rolling it out to your whole team, and document simple, clear connection instructions so staff aren't stuck troubleshooting alone from home.