The Top 10 Enterprise VPN Solutions
Discover the top best business VPNs. Explore features such as device compatibility, encryption, scalability, central management and activity management.
Written by Caitlin Harris
Technical Review by Laura Iannini
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2.
Check Point SASE
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3.
Cisco AnyConnect
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4.
Citrix Secure Private Access
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5.
Fortinet FortiClient
Enterprise VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) enable users to send and receive information across a public network as securely as if they were directly connected to a private network.
The Challenge: When users surf the internet on an unsecured Wi-Fi network, network security is a concern as anyone else using the same network can tap into what they’re doing and access their browsing habits and private information.
How Enterprise VPNs Work: VPNs create a private network across a public internet connection. They give users anonymity and privacy by hiding their IP address and securing their connections with encryption. They also enable admins to set up granular access controls that restrict users from accessing areas of the network that they don’t need to.
Think of the VPN as a secret tunnel between a user’s device and the internet; nobody can see what the user doing inside the tunnel except themselves and the person that they’re sending data to—not even the internet service provider. This camouflage mode, amongst other advanced features, can be a great solution to the risks of browsing on a global network, resulting in a boost in network security which makes it easier to avoid a data breach.
In this article, we’ll highlight:
- The best enterprise VPN solutions designed to protect corporate web connections
- Standout features of each solution
- Who they are best suited for
NordLayer
NordLayer is a cloud-based solution that enhances remote access security for corporate networks, adhering to zero trust principles. It offers a suite of features designed to balance security with usability, making it an effective tool for businesses of all sizes.
Why We Picked NordLayer: We appreciate NordLayer’s ability to integrate advanced security features like a cloud firewall, Kill Switch, and device posture controls, while maintaining user-friendly access and quick setup.
NordLayer Best Features: Key features include AES 256-bit encryption, auto-connect, single sign-on, and third-party MFA support with Azure AD, Google Workspace, Okta, and OneLogin. Additional capabilities encompass device posture policies, alerts for non-compliant devices, and a cloud firewall with stateful network traffic analysis, packet inspection, intrusion deterrence, and threat intelligence.
What’s great:
- Balances security and usability effectively
- Comprehensive third-party MFA and single sign-on support
- Robust encryption and auto-connect features
- Advanced cloud firewall capabilities
- Reliable support via live chat and email
What to consider:
- Enterprise plan requires a minimum of 50 users
Pricing: NordLayer Lite is available at $8 USD/user/month (billed annually). NordLayer Core is available at $11 USD/user/month (billed annually). NordLayer Premium is available at $14 USD/user/month (billed annually). NordLayer Enterprise (min 50 users) is available from $7 USD/user/month (billed annually).
Who it’s for: NordLayer is ideal for organizations of any size seeking a user-friendly, secure remote access solution with quick setup and robust features.
NordLayer
Check Point SASE
CheckPoint SASE is a leading Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) provider that combines ZTNA, Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), and a Secure Web Gateway (SWG) to secure on-prem and remote access to cloud environments. It is designed to enhance network security without the hardware or complexity of traditional VPNs.
Why We Picked CheckPoint SASE: We appreciate the ease of deployment and the support for branch offices, making it an excellent choice for organizations of any size looking to secure remote access to their corporate network.
CheckPoint SASE Best Features: The platform offers private internet access for all managed and unmanaged devices without dedicated hardware. It supports multiple VPN protocols like IPSec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard, allowing deployment of different protocols for various resources and users. Users can configure granular permissions for users, devices, and groups, including unmanaged devices. Additionally, it provides activity audits and reports for monitoring logins, gateway deployments, and app connections, along with DNS filtering to block access to specific sites.
What’s great:
- Cloud-based deployment simplifies management and monitoring
- Supports a variety of VPN protocols for flexibility
- Granular permission settings enhance security control
- Comprehensive activity audits and reporting
- DNS filtering prevents access to unwanted sites
What to consider:
- May require some initial setup time for full customization
Pricing: CheckPoint SASE pricing is available from CheckPoint on request.
Who it’s for: CheckPoint SASE is best suited for organizations of any size seeking a reliable, fast, and easy-to-deploy cloud-based ZTNA solution to secure remote access to their corporate network across various devices and cloud providers.
Check Point SASE
Cisco AnyConnect
Cisco AnyConnect is a policy-driven VPN tool designed to secure remote workers’ network access across wired, wireless, and VPN connections. The solution provides secure access to the network from any device, at any time, and from any location.
Why We Picked Cisco AnyConnect: We like its seamless integration with other Cisco security solutions and its use of IKEv2 and SSL protocols for a highly secure internet connection.
Cisco AnyConnect Best Features: Features include secure access from any device, IKEv2 and SSL protocols, integration with Duo MFA, visibility across the extended enterprise, and device security through Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) and AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client. Integrations include compatibility with other Cisco security products.
What’s great:
- Provides secure access from any device, anytime, anywhere
- Uses IKEv2 and SSL protocols for a highly secure connection
- Integrates with Duo MFA for enhanced user authentication
- Offers complete visibility across the extended enterprise
- Provides 24/7 technical support for application managers
What to consider:
- Optimal may require other Cisco security products
Pricing: Pricing information is available from Cisco on request.
Who it’s for: Cisco AnyConnect is a secure, reliable VPN solution best suited for large enterprises, especially those already invested in Cisco’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
Cisco AnyConnect
Citrix Secure Private Access
Citrix Secure Private Access is a cloud-delivered zero trust network access (ZTNA) solution that provides secure access to all IT-sanctioned applications without the need for a VPN. It features a VPN-less enterprise browser, making it ideal for securing connections from unmanaged or BYOD devices.
Why We Picked Citrix Secure Private Access: We appreciate its ability to assign a risk score to end-user devices, which enhances security through detailed access and authorization controls. The integrated remote browser isolation further secures access from unmanaged devices.
Citrix Secure Private Access Best Features: Key features include risk-based access control, remote browser isolation, prevention of screenshotting within the Workspace app, and comprehensive traffic visibility. It supports access to web, SaaS, and client-server applications, whether deployed on-premises or in the cloud.
What’s great:
- Enables secure access from unmanaged or BYOD devices
- Assigns risk scores to devices for granular access control
- Prevents screenshotting to reduce credential theft risk
- Provides end-to-end visibility of all traffic
What to consider:
- May require additional configuration for specific use cases
Pricing: Pricing for Citrix Secure Private Access is available from Citrix on request.
Who it’s for: Citrix Secure Private Access is best suited for large enterprises with a remote or hybrid workforce, particularly those needing to secure connections from BYOD devices.
Citrix Secure Private Access
Fortinet FortiClient
Fortinet FortiClient is a remote access solution that can be deployed as a standalone VPN or integrated with other Fortinet products for comprehensive threat protection and vulnerability management. It excels at detecting and isolating compromised endpoints, making it an ideal choice for enterprises seeking a VPN within a broader security framework.
Why We Picked Fortinet FortiClient: We appreciate FortiClient’s seamless integration with FortiSandbox and FortiGuard, enhancing its utility within a wider security ecosystem. Its lightweight design and ease of deployment make it an attractive option for businesses needing robust yet unobtrusive remote access.
Fortinet FortiClient Best Features: Key features include auto-connect and always-on SSL and IPSec VPN, split tunneling for reduced latency, centralized management of VPN settings, real-time detection of OS and third-party application vulnerabilities, and endpoint isolation capabilities. Integrations with FortiSandbox and FortiGuard bolster its threat detection and response capabilities.
What’s great:
- Lightweight and easy to deploy
- Intuitive for end users with minimal disruption
- Fast connections with split tunneling
- Comprehensive vulnerability management
- Strong integration with Fortinet’s security ecosystem
What to consider:
- Optimal performance may require integration with other Fortinet solutions
Pricing: Pricing for Fortinet FortiClient is available from Fortinet on request.
Who it’s for: Fortinet FortiClient is best suited for enterprises looking to integrate a VPN into a broader security framework, particularly those already invested in Fortinet’s ecosystem or considering it.
Fortinet FortiClient
Google Cloud VPN
Google Cloud offers two VPN solutions: Classic VPN and High Availability (HA) VPN, both providing fast, secure IPsec connections for remote users to access their organization’s network.
Why We Picked Google Cloud VPN: We appreciate the Classic VPN’s ease of management through its single interface and external IP address. The HA VPN’s support for IPv6 and connectivity with AWS and Azure are also key advantages.
Google Cloud VPN Best Features: The Classic VPN supports static routing, dynamic routing with BGP, and is manageable via a single interface. The HA VPN supports IPv6, integrates with AWS and Azure, and uses multiple IP addresses and gateways for enhanced reliability. Both VPNs offer excellent documentation and technical support.
What’s great:
- Simple configuration and management
- Robust integration with Google Workspace
- Excellent technical support and community resources
- HA VPN’s support for IPv6 and multi-cloud connectivity
What to consider:
- Pricing varies by location and usage
Pricing: Google Cloud VPN pricing depends on location and includes hourly charges for gateways, monthly charges for IPsec traffic, and hourly charges for unused external IP addresses. Contact Google Cloud for exact pricing.
Who it’s for: Google Cloud VPN is ideal for organizations using Google Workspace and any business seeking a straightforward, reliable VPN solution with strong support options.
Google Cloud VPN
OpenVPN Access Server
OpenVPN Access Server is a self-hosted VPN server software that facilitates secure remote access to private networks, deployable in the cloud or on-premises. It is renowned for its ease of setup and management, making it an effective solution for businesses of all sizes seeking to implement zero trust remote access.
Why We Picked OpenVPN Access Server: We appreciate its straightforward deployment and management capabilities. Access Server can be set up in minutes and is available across major IaaS marketplaces, Linux distributions, and as a virtual appliance for Hyper-V and VMware ESXi.
OpenVPN Access Server Best Features: Key features include granular authentication policies, high availability through server clustering, and scalability to manage high connection volumes. It supports multiple authentication methods such as local auth, PAM, LDAP, RADIUS, SAML (SSO), and MFA. The user portal enables easy client app distribution, while the web-based admin interface allows comprehensive user and access policy management.
What’s great:
- Quick and easy to deploy and manage
- Supports a wide range of authentication methods
- Scalable and highly available through server clustering
- Intuitive web-based management interface
- Free OpenVPN Connect app for various platforms
What to consider:
- Custom authentication scripts may require technical expertise
Pricing: OpenVPN offers three packages: Free (up to three connections), Growth ($11 USD/month/connection, billed annually), and Enterprise (custom pricing for 500+ connections).
Who it’s for: OpenVPN Access Server is ideal for large enterprises needing granular control and scalability, as well as SMBs looking for an easy-to-deploy and manage VPN solution.
OpenVPN Access Server
Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect
Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect is a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution that extends the capabilities of Prisma Access and Next-Generation Firewalls to secure remote workers and mobile devices. It offers robust security features tailored for organizations with a mobile workforce.
Why We Picked GlobalProtect: We appreciate its seamless integration with Palo Alto’s Next-Generation Firewall, providing comprehensive protection against targeted cyber attacks, evasive application traffic, and malicious websites.
GlobalProtect Key Features: The solution includes app-level SSL or IPsec VPN connections, distribution of requests across multiple network portals and gateways, user and device identification, step-up multi-factor authentication, and an advanced firewall for visibility into network and application usage.
What’s Great:
- Strong security against targeted cyber attacks and malicious websites
- Supports heavy traffic with distributed requests across multiple gateways
- Configurable user and device identification, including unmanaged devices
- Step-up multi-factor authentication for added security
- Integrated advanced firewall for enhanced visibility
What To Consider:
- May require additional configuration for some advanced features
Pricing: Pricing for GlobalProtect is available from Palo Alto Networks on request.
Best Suited For: GlobalProtect is ideal for organizations with a mobile workforce requiring secure, reliable access to network resources. It is particularly beneficial for those needing extensive security across remote devices that can be set up quickly.
Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect
SonicWall Global VPN Client
SonicWall Global VPN Client (GVC) is one of SonicWall’s four VPN services, designed to provide a secure and familiar remote VPN experience for accessing organizational data centers. This solution is particularly effective for businesses looking to enhance their VPN connections through automation.
Why We Picked SonicWall Global VPN Client: We appreciate the solution’s automation capabilities, which include automatic redirects in case of gateway failure and the ability to launch programs upon successful VPN connections.
SonicWall Global VPN Client Best Features: Key features include an easy-to-use Installation and Configuration Wizard, support for smart card and USB token authentication, third-party certificate support, and granular access policies for user groups. It also offers automatic VPN configuration data downloads via a secure IPSec tunnel. The solution is compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, Linux, and Amazon Kindle Fire.
What’s great:
- Streamlined management tools reduce support requirements
- Broad device compatibility enhances accessibility
- Automation features improve VPN reliability and user experience
- Robust security with smart card and USB token authentication
What to consider:
- May be beneficial for existing SonicWall customers due to integration advantages
Pricing: Pricing information is available from SonicWall upon request.
Who it’s for: SonicWall Global VPN Client is best suited for enterprises, particularly those already using SonicWall solutions, looking to secure remote employee access with an easy-to-deploy and configure VPN solution.
SonicWall Global VPN Client
Twingate
Twingate offers a cloud-based platform that provides secure, remote access to corporate resources for distributed workforces. It enables IT teams to establish a software-defined perimeter and centrally manage user access to company applications both on-premises and in the cloud.
Why We Picked Twingate: We appreciate Twingate’s ease of use for both administrators and end users, requiring no hardware. It offers robust zero trust security through resource-level access policy customization.
Twingate Best Features: Key features include resource-level access policy customization, split tunneling, intelligent routing, automatic handling of authorization and routing decisions, app-level visibility into user access, and seamless integration with leading Identity Providers such as Okta and OneLogin for single sign-on.
What’s Great:
- User-friendly interface simplifies administration and user access
- Zero trust security model limits network access for potential hackers
- Split tunneling and intelligent routing reduce network burden
- Seamless integration with leading IDPs for single sign-on
- No hardware required, reducing costs and complexity
What To Consider:
- Advanced features may require additional configuration
Pricing: Twingate offers three packages. The Starter package is free for individuals and small teams. The Teams package is available for $5 USD/user/month (billed annually). The Enterprise package is available for $10 USD/user/month (billed annually).
Who it’s for: Twingate is best suited for SMBs and mid-sized enterprises looking to provide fast, secure access to corporate resources for remote users with ease of use and minimal hardware requirements.
Twingate
Other Enterprise VPNs And Network Access Services
We researched lots of enterprise VPN solutions while we were making this guide. Here are a few other tools worth your consideration:
An adaptable, lightweight ZTNA solution that offers granular access controls and efficient site-to-site connectivity.
A single solution that delivers a secure VPN tunnel, ZTNA, a SAWG, CASB, and DEM via one interface.
A reliable VPN that connects remote users to resources on-premises or in the AWS cloud.
The Best Enterprise VPNs: Shortlist FAQs
Why should you trust this Shortlist?
This article was written by the Deputy Head of Content at Expert Insights, who has been covering cybersecurity, including privileged access management, for over 5 years. This article has been technically reviewed by our technical researcher, Laura Iannini, who has experience with a variety of cybersecurity platforms and conducts thorough product tests to ensure that Expert Insights’ reviews are definitive and insightful.
Research for this guide included:
- Conducting first-hand technical reviews and testing several dozen leading enterprise VPN and network access providers
- Interviewing executives in the VPN and ZTNA spaces, as well as the wider network access industry, for first-hand insight into the challenges and strengths of different solutions
- Researching and demoing enterprise VPN and ZTNA solutions in several categories over several years
- Speaking to several organizations of all sizes about their remote access challenges and the features that are most useful to them
- Reading third-party and customer reviews from multiple outlets, including paid industry reports
This guide is updated at least every 3 months to review the vendors included and ensure that the features listed are up to date.
Who is this Shortlist for?
Because of their ability to improve data, user, and device security, we recommend that all organizations with any number of remote or hybrid users implement an enterprise VPN. This list has therefore been written with a broad audience in mind.
How was the Shortlist picked?
When considering enterprise VPN solutions, we evaluated providers based on the following criterion:
Features: Based on conversations with vendors, end customers, and our own testing, we selected the following key features :
- Up-to-date mobile app: There are two parts to this: firstly, the VPN service needs to offer mobile support, not just client software for PCs, so that it can protect an entire device fleet. Secondly, the provider must regularly update their app so that users can be sure it’ll perform efficiently and effectively, regardless of when they installed it.
- Integrated kill switch: If a VPN service is overloaded, this can cause an IP leak, which causes the VPN connection to fail and exposes the user’s true IP address when they’re online. A VPN kill switch cuts off a device’s access to the network if this happens, stopping the transfer of any unencrypted data and preventing the user’s IP address from being leaked.
- Clear data logging policy: All VPNs log some user data in order to limit the number of devices connecting to the server and provide customer support. Users don’t need to know whether the VPN provider is logging end users’ data, but what data they’re logging. Usually, this just includes IP addresses and session times. However, some (usually free) VPN services also log the software the user uses, the websites they visit, and even the files they download.
- Multiple server locations: The VPN should offer multiple server locations.
- Support for multiple protocols: Most VPN apps give users a selection of protocols to choose from. The most common protocols are OpenVPN, PPTP, IPSec, SSTP, SSL, and SSH.
- Centralized management: Enterprise VPNs should offer a centralized management console from which admins can manage user accounts and control access permissions, set up and remove accounts, and see which devices employees are using to access the VPN.
Market perception: We reviewed each vendor included on the Shortlist to ensure they are reliable, trusted providers in the market. We reviewed their documentation, third-party analyst reports, and—where possible—we have interviewed executives directly.
Customer usage: We use market share as a metric when comparing vendors and aim to represent both high market share vendors and challenger brands with innovative capabilities. We have spoken to end customers and reviewed customer case studies, testimonials, and end user reviews.
Product heritage: Finally, we have looked at where a product has come from in the market, including when companies were founded, their leadership team, their mission statements, and their successes. We have also considered product updates and how regularly new features are added. We have ensured all vendors are credible leaders with a solution we would be happy to use ourselves.
Based on our experience in the remote access and broader cybersecurity market, we have also considered several other factors, such as the benefit of consolidating multiple features into a single platform, the quality of the admin interface, the customer support on offer, and other use cases.
This list is designed to be a selection of the best enterprise VPN providers. Many leading solutions have not been included in this list, with no criticism intended.
FAQs
Everything You Need To Know About Enterprise VPNs (FAQs)
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a protected, secure network within a public network. This is achieved through masking users’ IP addresses (the unique number that identifies the device that they’re using).
When using a VPN server, data is sent through an encrypted tunnel, making it impossible for hackers, governments, or anyone else, to access that data. This provides access control for sensitive company information, boosting network security. This is especially useful for employees working from home as part of a remote workforce.
An enterprise VPN, or business VPN, is like a tunnel that takes information from your company’s network to the user’s device. External parties can’t read what data is passing through the tunnel, meaning that the user’s online activity—and your company’s data—is kept private.
When using a business VPN, the user’s IP address is re-routed through multiple different VPN servers. This means that nobody—not even the internet service provider—can see what the user is doing but the user themselves and the site to which they’re connected. With browser extensions in place, the VPN can encrypt browser traffic without routing the entire device through the VPN.
Business VPN’s will often use tools like network segmentation to restrict access based on roles, and split tunneling to keep personal traffic on a regular connection while corporate traffic goes through the business VPN, using these simultaneous connections to separate the data. These business VPN features can improve both network security and data security.
As well as making it harder for users’ data to be identified, VPNs use high-level encryption to ensure that even if the data is accessed, it will be unintelligible to anyone without the means to decrypt it. The highest standard of encryption currently used by providers is AES 256-bit encryption.
There are multiple business benefits to using a VPN:
- Secure remote connections: Enterprise VPNs allow users to access secure server connections from a range of locations, without impacting connection speeds or disrupting user activity. This means they can facilitate home, hybrid, or multi-location working, allowing users to connect to their accounts and access sensitive data without opening any security vulnerabilities to your organization.
- Improve data and device security: By creating an end-to-end encrypted tunnel between a device and server, any content accessed through a business VPN is private and virtually impossible to access by anyone without the correct decryption key. Not only does this secure tunnel protect your company’s data from unauthorized access, but it also prevents a malicious actor from hiding malware within your data and planting it on users’ devices.
- Reduce costs: Without a site-to-site VPN, your organization would have to create an expensive, physical network connection between your headquarters and other offices. Not only would there be an initial infrastructure cost, but your IT team would need to manage the hardware, troubleshoot, and continually upgrade the system to ensure that it is up-to-date and secure from cyberattacks.
- Give users anonymity: VPNs allow users to access content without being identified, which is particularly useful for secure sectors or journalists who may be at risk if their identity—or sources—were revealed.
While there are numerous benefits to using a VPN, there are also some drawbacks to look out for:
- The user’s connection might be slightly slower than if they weren’t using a VPN
- You should check that your VPN has a no-logs policy, otherwise it could catalogue your users’ “anonymous” activities
- Some countries have banned VPNs
- Free VPNs can be insecure, or overwhelm your users with adverts; make sure any secure VPN option you consider is from trusted provider, that’s specifically made for enterprise use cases
A remote access VPN enables a user to connect to a private network remotely. To achieve this, it creates an encrypted connection directly between the user’s device and the data center they’re accessing.
- The connection is only active when the user establishes it via a VPN client installed on their device
- The user can access all the resources on that network whenever they need to, without having to travel to the network location to connect to it
- Popular businesses that want to enable remote or hybrid employees to connect to the corporate network securely, from anywhere, or employees that are travelling and need to be able to access sites that are restricted in their destination country
- Best used for accessing data that is stored on company premises
- Can cause users to experience high levels of latency when connecting to SaaS or cloud applications
A site-to-site or router-to-router VPN creates a connection between two physical sites. The connection is established between routers; one router acts as the VPN client, and the other acts as the VPN server. When the connection between the two routers is authenticated, a permanent, secure VPN tunnel is established, creating one unified network between the separate locations.
- Commonly used among large enterprises to connect the networks of two or more separate office locations
- Effectively creates a single intranet across multiple sites so that all company devices can connect to the same network as though they were there locally
- Enables users across multiple offices to access shared resources
- Can’t be used to enable users to connect to the corporate network from home, as admins cannot inherently trust the security of their users’ home networks
A VPN protocol determines how data travels through an established connection. Different protocols offer different features designed to meet specific use cases: some prioritize speed; others, security. Some VPN services offer a single protocol, while others offer organizations the option to choose which protocol they would like to use based on their business needs. It’s also possible to use two protocols at once; one to transfer data, and one to secure it.
- Internet Protocol Security (IPSec): IPSec secures data across an internet protocol (IP) network by enforcing session authentication and data encryption. The protocol runs in two modes: transport mode and tunnelling mode. The transport mode encrypts the data message itself, then the tunnelling mode encrypts the whole data packet. IPSec is a popular choice for site-to-site VPN setups, and can be used in conjunction with other VPN protocols for enhanced security.
- Layer2 Tunnelling Protocol (L2TP): L2TP creates a secure tunnel between two connection points. It offers high speed connections but doesn’t offer any encryption out-of-the-box, so it’s often used alongside other protocols, such as IPSec, to establish a more secure connection. Like IPSec, L2TP is a popular for site-to-site setups and, once combined with another protocol for security, it offers a fast, highly secure connection.
- Point-To-Point Tunnelling Protocol (PPTP): PPTP creates a tunnel with a PPTP cipher, encrypting data that travels within that tunnel. While PPTP is one of the oldest and most widely used VPN protocols, it wouldn’t take long to crack a PPTP cipher using brute force. This makes PPTP one of the least secure VPN protocols. However, what it lacks in security, PPTP makes up for in speed, making it popular amongst users that need quick access without strong encryption.
- TLS And SSL: TLS and SSL are the same standard that encrypt HTTPS web pages. They create a VPN connection where the web browser acts as the client, and user access is restricted to certain applications—rather than a whole network. Because most web browsers come with TLS and SSL integrated already, establishing TLS of SSL connections requires very little action from the end user, and doesn’t require any additional software to be installed. TLS and SSL are often used within remote access VPN setups.
- OpenVPN: OpenVPN is an open-source protocol based on TLS and SSL, but with added encryption layers. It comes in two versions: User Datagram Protocol (UDP), which carries out fewer data checks, so is faster; and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), which carries out more checks to protect the integrity of the data being sent, so is slower. Because it’s an open-source technology, developers can access the underlying code of the OpenVPN protocol. This means it’s regularly checked for vulnerabilities. On top of that, OpenVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption with 2048-bit RSA authentication and a 160-bit SHA-1 hash algorithm. OpenVPN is highly secure and generally quite efficient, making it a popular protocol for both remote access and site-to-site setups.
- Secure Shell (SSH): SSH creates an encrypted tunnel through which data can be transferred from a local port onto a remote server. Because the data itself isn’t encrypted, SSH isn’t the most secure VPN protocol, but it does offer very fast connections. SSH is most often used within remote access setups, enabling users to access their workplace desktops via mobile devices off-site.
- Internet Key Exchange v2 (IKEv2): IKEv2 sets up a security association (SA) to negotiate the exchange of security keys used by the VPN client and server. Once it authenticates the SA, IKEv2 establishes a private tunnel for data transfer. IKEv2 is one of the quickest VPN protocols and is particularly strong at re-establishing a connection after a temporary outage and switching connections across different network types (e.g., from cellular to Wi-Fi). However, it doesn’t offer out-of-the-box encryption, so is often used in conjunction with IPSec for added security. Because of its support for mobile connections and a wide range of operating systems—including Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and routers—IKEv2 is commonly used within remote access VPN setups.
Written By
Caitlin Harris is Deputy Head of Content at Expert Insights. Caitlin is an experienced writer and journalist, with years of experience producing award-winning technical training materials and journalistic content. Caitlin holds a First Class BA in English Literature and German, and provides our content team with strategic editorial guidance as well as carrying out detailed research to create articles that are accurate, engaging and relevant. Caitlin co-hosts the Expert Insights Podcast, where she interviews world-leading B2B tech experts.
Technical Review
Laura Iannini is an Information Security Engineer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida. Laura has experience with a variety of cybersecurity platforms and leads technical reviews of leading solutions. She conducts thorough product tests to ensure that Expert Insights’ reviews are definitive and insightful.