Working from home has become the norm for millions of people — but along with the convenience come risks. A home network isn't as protected as an office network. The data you send and receive can be intercepted — unless you're using a VPN.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a tool that encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a secure tunnel. The result: no one can read your traffic, even if you're on an unprotected network.

When do you need a VPN?

A VPN is especially important when:

You work remotely with company resources — files, internal systems, ERP
You handle sensitive data — financial, customer, or medical
You use public Wi-Fi — cafes, airports, hotels
You want to protect your online activity from spyware

Types of VPN solutions

Not all VPNs are the same. Here are the main types:

Personal VPN (for home users)

Paid services like NordVPN, ProtonVPN, Mullvad. They encrypt your traffic and hide your IP address. Easy to set up — usually you just install an app and click "Connect."

Limitation: they protect you, but don't connect you to a company network.

Corporate VPN (for business)

Lets employees connect securely to the office's internal network. Provides access to shared folders, printers, and internal applications — as if you were in the office.

Requires: a server or dedicated router, configuration, and maintenance.

Popular protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, IPSec.

Site-to-site VPN (for connecting offices)

Connects two physically separate office networks into one shared secure network. Used by companies with multiple branches.

Steps for VPN setup (corporate type)

If the goal is for your employees to connect to the office network from home, the process looks like this:

Step 1: Choose a VPN protocol

For small offices we recommend WireGuard — modern, fast, and easy to maintain. For more complex environments — OpenVPN.

Step 2: Set up the VPN server

This can be a physical server, a NAS device, or a dedicated router (e.g. MikroTik, pfSense). This is where the VPN server software is installed and configured.

Step 3: Configure the client devices

On every computer employees will work from, a VPN client is installed with the correct settings (certificates, server address, user credentials).

Step 4: Test the connection

Check that the employee can access internal resources from home and that traffic is passing through encrypted.

Step 5: Maintain and update

The VPN server needs regular updates. Access for departing employees must be revoked immediately.

Common mistakes in VPN setup

Using an outdated protocol (PPTP is compromised and should not be used)
Weak passwords for VPN accounts
No two-factor authentication — adding it significantly boosts security
Unrevoked access after employees leave

How much does VPN setup cost?

At SNM Support:

VPN setup: 250 euros (one-time)
Monthly maintenance: 25 euros/month

Includes: server configuration, setup for up to 5 clients, testing, and documentation.

VPN or not?

If you handle company data from home or have remote employees, VPN setup is a mandatory cybersecurity measure. It's not a question of "if," but "when."

Get in touch with SNM Support for a free assessment of your needs and a quote for VPN setup tailored to your business. Visit snmsupport.com or give us a call directly.

How to Set Up a VPN for Secure Work From Home