You want secure networks for your organization. Currently, you’re using VPNs. But you’ve been told that IP VPNs are an even better option, as they offer extra protection against security risks.

Now you’re wondering whether you should transit to IP VPN or stick with what you currently use. Maybe you don’t know much about the new option, and you’re not conversant with your existing solution either. What’s the superior alternative? What should you go with?

This article is a guide to answering these questions.

Let’s begin by explaining some of the terms involved.

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a number that is given to every device that connects to the internet. It’s like a ‘name’ or means of identification for each device; no two devices bear the same number.

Besides identifying the device (and, by extension, its user), it also indicates the location of the user and their device. For instance, you can tell what country a person is in through their IP address.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a network setup that lets its users connect to their organizations’ internal network remotely via the public internet. It makes it possible for employees to access their company’s shared files from locations outside its physical offices.

An IP VPN functions in a similar way to a regular VPN. But there’s at least one difference: IP VPN connects to internal networks via private gateways, rather than the public internet.

How IP VPN Works

IP VPN utilizes something called Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) to allow the user to get to their organization’s intranet while avoiding the public internet.

The MPLS sorts the bits of data passing through the World Wide Web into appropriate groups—video, voice, or images for instance. It also speeds up the transmission of these data to their destination.

Why Choose an IP VPN Instead of a VPN?

An IP VPN can help you expand your bandwidth and increase uptimes for your applications. It’s not as susceptible to DoS (Denial of Service) attacks as a regular VPN. Because it functions away from the public internet, it’s not vulnerable to many of the threats that come through the broader web.

What to Consider Before Choosing an IP VPN Provider

Many firms offer IP VPN as a product. But they won’t all give you the same quality of service. That’s why you need to know what to look out for when prospecting for a service provider in this area.

Here are some things you should consider.

1. Security

This is one reason why you want to get an IP VPN in the first place, so you should be sure that your vendor’s offering will guarantee it. If you find that the details related to this are too technical, you should ask your IT team to look at what’s being offered. They may spot defective aspects of the product, or give it an all-clear, depending on the results of their assessment.

2. Speed

Your IP VPN should give you the advantage of a higher speed connection, compared to the public internet. Several factors will affect the speed of your network, including some localized to your organization or location. But it may be a function of the quality that a vendor can provide. So you should consider the reputation of various vendors in this area before deciding which one you will go with.

3. User Friendliness

Can you use the service without much help? Or is it so complex that you require a technician to help you with it?

Your IP VPN should give you good user experience. The fact that it’s somewhat advanced technology isn’t an excuse for complexity. If you can’t navigate it yourself after a few tries, it’s probably not worth your while.

4. Access

This service lets you connect all your business locations to your organization’s internal files and other resources. A high-grade IP VPN should enable you to achieve quick access to your business’s intranet regardless of where you are.  

5. Price

It’s important to compare prices too, where you can. Look for an IP VPN provider that gives the best balance of price and quality that matches your needs. On one hand, unusually low prices may indicate less than optimal product quality. But there may be a less expensive option than the pricey IP VPN services that are just as effective.

6. Support

What happens if you run into some difficulty while using an IP VPN? Is the service provider always available to take on your requests for help?

Support is an important part of any IT vendor’s package. They should have resources that cover the issues you are most likely to encounter while using their service. You should also be able to speak with their agents when this is the more helpful thing to do.

Should You Choose a VPN or IP VPN?

You can settle with a regular VPN if:

•You are a small business with little need for the sort of expanded bandwidth that IP VPN gives.

•You don’t have a lot of staff working remotely.

•There’s no significant IT security threat.

Consider using an IP VPN if you meet these criteria:

•You are a medium or large scale business that has to deal with a lot of traffic on your networks.

•A lot of your employees work remotely.

•There’s a potential but significant IT security threat to your organization.

Final Words

There’s a lot that Virtual Private Networks can do for your company. With IP VPNs you can achieve even more. Whether it’s securing your banking details or raising the efficiency of your VoIP systems, this technology can make your operations much easier and more secure.

When you weigh up your options for an IP VPN service provider, you’ll certainly prefer one that’s been around for a while. You will also want them to know the peculiarities of the environment you work in.

That’s what you get with Layer3. For over 14 years, we have helped organizations in the public and private sectors with IT solutions they need to function optimally. We bring this experience to bear in our delivery of IP VPN services. Our team can deploy one that suits your specific needs, and provide expert management and support along with it.   

If you would like to find out more about our access solutions, you can contact us here.