Pranavi Nissankararao

VPN RESEARCH REPORT FOR SMB CLIENTS Pranavi Nissankararao- 1 Executive Summary This report provides a research-backed evaluation of VPN solutions suitable for small and mediumsized businesses (SMBs) needing secure remote access, data protection, and compliance support. Based on the client profile (fictional) of Acme Legal & Consulting Services LLP, the report recommends top VPN providers that balance security, cost, ease of management, and regulatory compliance. The final recommendations are practical, scalable, and suited for businesses without large in-house IT teams. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page no: 1. Introduction 2 2. Why VPNs matter 2 3. Types of VPN 2 4. Client Company Profile 3 5. Recommended VPN Deployment 6 6. Shortlist of VPN Vendors 6 7. Detailed VPN Provider Analysis 7 8. Cost Analysis 9 9. Recommendation 9 3 1. Introduction In today’s highly connected business environment, data security and privacy are becoming increasingly critical for businesses of all sizes. Whether it’s a small startup, a growing medium-sized business, or a solo entrepreneur managing sensitive client information — protecting online communication is no longer optional. Without proper security measures, businesses are vulnerable to: • Data breaches: Hackers can intercept unencrypted data and steal confidential information such as client records, financial data, and business communications. • Public Wi-Fi risks: Team members often work remotely using unsecured networks that leave sensitive data exposed. • Geo-restrictions and censorship: Businesses operating globally may face content restrictions or regional service blocks. • Corporate espionage & IP theft: Competitors or malicious actors may attempt to monitor business activities for unfair advantage. 2. Why VPNs Matter A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure, encrypted connection between the user’s device and the internet. This tunnel ensures that all data transmitted remains private and protected from unauthorized access. For small businesses and entrepreneurs, VPNs offer: • Secure remote access for employees working from home or on the go. • Protection of sensitive data while using public or shared networks. • Enhanced privacy by masking IP addresses and locations. • Compliance support for industries with regulatory data protection requirements. 3. Types of VPN Setups (Brief Overview) 4 i. Remote Access VPN • Best for: Small businesses, startups, entrepreneurs, and remote workers. • Use case: Allows employees to securely connect to the company network from anywhere. • Protected data: Internal documents, customer records, financial transactions, and proprietary business information. ii. Site-to-Site VPN • Best for: Medium-sized businesses and enterprises with multiple office locations. • Use case: Connects branch offices securely to the main corporate network. • Protected data: Internal communications, shared databases, employee records, and operational workflows. iii. Cloud VPN (Hosted VPN Services) • Best for: Online stores, startups, and businesses relying on cloud-based applications. • Use case: Provides secure access to cloud resources without managing physical VPN servers. • Protected data: Customer payment details, cloud-stored business data, and SaaS application access. iv. Client-Based VPN Solutions • Best for: Businesses with employees working from various locations, including freelancers and consultants. • Use case: Encrypts internet traffic on individual devices, ensuring security regardless of network location. • Protected data: Emails, login credentials, sensitive business communications, and personal identifiable information (PII). v. Mobile VPN • Best for: Entrepreneurs, startups, online stores, and businesses with remote teams. • Use case: Ensures secure access to company resources from mobile devices, even on unsecured networks. • Protected data: Login credentials, customer transactions, business emails, and sensitive communications. 4. Client Company Profile Business Profile • Company Name: (Fictional) Acme Legal & Consulting Services LLP • Industry: Legal consulting, compliance advisory, financial consulting (or any professional services business) • Size: 25-30 employees • Locations: 1 Head Office + remote employees across 3 cities 5 • Clients: Corporate clients, small businesses, and some international clients • IT Staff: Minimal (only 1 external IT consultant on retainer) Services Offered • Contract management • Legal research • Regulatory compliance consulting • Financial auditing and reporting • Client document preparation • Negotiation support • Online meetings and client calls Data Sensitivity & Protection Liability Because Acme Consulting handles confidential client contracts, legal documentation, and financial data, they have serious data protection obligations: Type of Data Risk if compromised Client Contracts Legal liability, lawsuits, contract breaches Financial Records Client financial loss, reputational damage Personal Information Identity theft, GDPR violations Internal Company Data Competitive intelligence, IP loss Security Goals • Secure remote access for employees working from home or client offices • Ensure client data confidentiality during online meetings, file sharing, and document preparation • Protect company-owned devices when used on public Wi-Fi networks • Build client trust by demonstrating strong cybersecurity controls Budget for VPN Security Area Budget Estimation VPN Licenses $6 – $18 per user/month 6 Total VPN Budget $150 – $450 per month for 25 users IT Services $120 – $250 per month for external IT consultant Hardware $0 (if using fully cloud-based VPN solutions) 5. Recommended VPN Deployment Type: Cloud-hosted Remote Access VPN Reasoning: a) No On-Prem Hardware Needed a. Eliminates the cost and complexity of maintaining physical VPN servers. b. Reduces IT overhead, making it ideal for businesses without a dedicated IT team. b) Easy License Management a. Scales effortlessly as the company grows—just add or remove users as needed. b. Subscription-based models allow predictable costs without large upfront investments. c) Quick Onboarding for New Remote Staff a. New employees can securely access company resources within minutes. b. No need for complex configurations—just install the VPN client and authenticate. d) Works Across All Devices (Laptops, Tablets, Phones) a. Ensures secure access regardless of the device employees use. b. Protects sensitive business data even when employees work from public Wi-Fi. Business Data Protection Area • Internal Documents & Contracts – Ensures confidentiality when sharing files. • Customer Data & Transactions – Encrypts sensitive financial and personal information. • Employee Communications – Secures emails, chats, and internal discussions. • Cloud-Based Applications – Protects access to SaaS tools. 6. Shortlist of VPN Vendors Provider Good Fit? Notes NordLayer (NordVPN’s business solution) Excellent Made for small-medium businesses, centralized management 7 Perimeter 81 Excellent Fully cloud-managed, zero trust security, made for SMBs Twingate Excellent Easy to deploy Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), modern alternative to VPN GoodAccess Great Cloud VPN for SMBs, affordable, easy admin ProtonVPN Business Solid Excellent privacy, Swiss laws, smaller but trusted 7. Detailed VPN Provider Analysis i. NordLayer (NordVPN's Business Solution) • • ii. NordLayer is the business-focused solution offered by NordVPN, one of the most trusted brands in the VPN industry. It provides AES-256 encryption, centralized management through an easy-to-use admin panel, dedicated servers for organizations, and Single Sign-On (SSO) support for seamless user access. Additionally, NordLayer offers 24/7 customer support, ensuring quick assistance if any issues arise. For small to medium businesses, NordLayer offers scalability, allowing companies to add or remove users easily as teams grow. The platform also supports compliance needs, such as GDPR and HIPAA, which is crucial for businesses handling sensitive client data. Pricing starts at approximately $7 per user per month. However, features like dedicated servers and IPs may incur additional costs. Overall, NordLayer strikes a good balance between cost, security, and ease of deployment for businesses without in-house IT teams. Perimeter 81 • • iii. Perimeter 81 is a fully cloud-managed VPN solution that goes beyond traditional VPN models by integrating Zero Trust security principles. It offers secure remote access, multisite connectivity, device posture checks, and strong integrations with identity providers like Azure Active Directory, Okta, and Google Workspace. This makes Perimeter 81 an excellent option for businesses looking for modern, robust security architecture without heavy infrastructure costs. Perimeter 81 is particularly well-suited for growing companies that need centralized network security across multiple offices or remote employees. Its ease of deployment and strong customer support make it a highly recommended solution for SMBs that need enterpriselevel features at a manageable cost. Pricing generally starts at around $8 per user per month, though the total cost can increase with advanced customizations and enterprise features. Twingate • Twingate is a modern Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution that simplifies remote access without relying on traditional VPN tunnels. Unlike legacy VPNs that create broad 8 network access, Twingate limits access to specific resources, significantly improving security. It integrates easily with identity providers, supports fast deployment, and reduces latency compared to standard VPN solutions. For businesses that want cutting-edge security with minimal complexity, Twingate offers a highly streamlined user experience. Setup is fast, and ongoing management is simple, making it suitable for organizations without dedicated IT staff. Twingate’s pricing starts at approximately $5 per user per month, making it a cost-effective solution for companies seeking Zero Trust principles on a small business budget. However, companies with traditional IT expectations may find the concept slightly different from standard VPN setups. • iv. GoodAccess • GoodAccess offers a straightforward, cloud-based VPN service specifically designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It includes features such as secure remote access, team management, Single Sign-On (SSO), dedicated IPs, auditing, and access logs. Its intuitive dashboard makes it easy for business owners or administrators to control user access without technical expertise. For budget-conscious companies, GoodAccess provides significant value. The pricing starts at approximately $4 per user per month, making it the most affordable solution on this list. While it may not offer some of the advanced security layers found in higher-end enterprise solutions, it delivers reliable, simple VPN protection for businesses that primarily need encrypted remote access and centralized management without heavy costs. • v. ProtonVPN Business • • ProtonVPN Business offers an exceptionally strong privacy model, operating under Switzerland’s strict privacy laws and providing true no-log guarantees. Its Secure Core feature routes traffic through multiple hardened servers, further enhancing data privacy and reducing risk of surveillance. ProtonVPN uses open-source code and transparent security practices, making it a favorite for highly privacy-conscious organizations. This VPN is especially well-suited for legal, financial, and consulting firms that handle highly sensitive client data and want maximum privacy protections. ProtonVPN Business starts at around $9 per user per month. However, it may lack some integrations with common business identity providers, and its business management features are somewhat more limited compared to other providers on this list. 9 Provider NordLayer Perimeter 81 Twingate GoodAccess ProtonVPN Business Features AES-256 encryption, centralized admin panel, dedicated servers, SSO, 24/7 support Full zero trust network, secure remote access, multi-site, device posture checks Zero Trust Network Access, simple deployment, fast remote access, identity integration Cloud VPN, team management, SSO, dedicated IPs, auditing & logs Swiss-based, strict nologs, Secure Core, strong encryption, central admin Pricing From $7/user/month From $8/user/month Starts ~$5/user/month $4/user/month ~$9/user/month Pros Highly trusted brand, easy for SMBs, scalable, supports compliance Excellent modern security, integrates with Azure, Okta, Google Workspace Extremely easy setup, fast connection, less VPN overhead Affordable, made for SMBs, great dashboard, simple interface High privacy, transparent, very strong encryption Cons Dedicated servers cost extra Can get pricey if fully customized Not a traditional VPN; may confuse traditional IT teams Fewer advanced security layers Limited business integrations 8. Cost Analysis • NordLayer: ~$175/month for 25 users • Perimeter 81: ~$200/month for 25 users • Twingate: ~$125/month for 25 users • GoodAccess: ~$100/month for 25 users • ProtonVPN Business: ~$225/month for 25 users 9. Recommendations • For most growing SMBs: NordLayer or Perimeter 81 offer excellent balance. • For modern Zero Trust architecture: Twingate is highly attractive. • For strict privacy needs (law firms, financial advisors, compliance firms): ProtonVPN Business is the strongest option. • For highly budget-conscious teams: GoodAccess provides excellent value.