TL; DR: Small businesses are the most susceptible targets for hackers. Whether it’s phishing, breaches, or DDoS attacks, cyberattackers know most SMBs don’t have sophisticated enough infrastructure to combat these types of threats. UTunnel is a cost-effective, robust solution that protects your network from the inside out, starting at just a few dollars a month. Tom George, Business Development Manager, told us how agile UTunnel’s solutions are in today’s ever-changing digital landscape.
When you really take the time to think about it, cloud technology is pretty amazing. Take your smartphone, for example: Gone are the days of bulky photo albums. Now, thousands of your selfies and sunset photos can exist in the cloud without bogging down your storage.
And storing physical copies of games on your computer’s hard drive is no longer necessary because, thanks to cloud storage, you can access your games from anywhere.
Small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) similarly use the cloud. Even so, some leaders harbor concerns about entrusting sensitive business information in a space they can’t physically see.
Of course, this skepticism toward newer technologies is nothing new — it’s similar to why older generations tend to prefer keeping their life savings at home rather than in a bank.
Tom George, Business Development Manager of UTunnel, stresses that cloud solutions are paramount for scalability and flexibility.
Not only do cloud solutions cost less compared to traditional hardware solutions, but they also make managing the infrastructure a lot easier.
“In the past, scaling network infrastructure with hardware-based solutions was challenging and cumbersome,” said Tom. “UTunnel addresses this challenge with its software-based VPN and Zero Trust solutions, designed to integrate seamlessly with various cloud computing setups.”
UTunnel offers VPN (virtual private network) solutions tailored specifically for SMBs that may find that their physical infrastructure systems aren’t insufficient to grow with.
Importance of Network Security and Zero Trust
UTunnel’s mission is simple: to keep your network safe and private in the face of ever-changing cybersecurity challenges.
But if you’re unfamiliar with network security, it’s not too different from having a security system for your home.
Just as alarm systems are activated when a home is armed and a door or window opens, network security employs protective measures to detect and respond to unauthorized access or suspicious activities on your computer or network.
“Network security is essential for businesses of all sizes, particularly in today’s digital landscape, where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated,” Tom explained. “Robust security measures are necessary to safeguard sensitive business network resources.”
Network security is crucial for anyone who uses the internet, from families to large corporations — but SMBs are particularly vulnerable targets for cyberthreats. There are multiple reasons why:
- SMBs usually have limited resources and may not have dedicated IT departments or sophisticated security measures.
- Whether business- or consumer-facing, SMBs often handle sensitive data, such as customer information, financial records, and intellectual property. Combined with having limited resources, this can be a desirable target for cyberattackers.
- Many SMBs don’t think hackers are interested in their data, so they don’t think they’ll be targeted. In turn, they won’t employ essential security measures.
- No matter its country of origin, all businesses are subject to legal regulations regarding protection and privacy, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the US or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe. If a business doesn’t comply, it will receive significant fines.
So, what’s the solution?
A cutting-edge approach to network security is gaining traction: Zero Trust principles. Instead of relying solely on traditional security measures, such as firewalls or antivirus software, Zero Trust takes a more cautious approach by assuming that threats could be both inside and outside the network.
UTunnel offers a suite of security solutions, including OneClick Access and MeshConnect.
“OneClick Access and MeshConnect are the solutions that leverage a Zero-Trust approach; it ensures that every user and device undergoes authentication before being granted access to specific resources within the network,” Tom said. “Doing so significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access and limits lateral movement within the internal network.”
UTunnel Streamlines Network Access for Hybrid Teams
Over the past few years, the American work culture has learned to embrace greater flexibility in work and team structures. While the traditional norm was a Monday through Friday in-office arrangement, more than 14 million Americans now follow a hybrid schedule.
This could mean alternating between working from home and going to the office or involving team members from different departments, locations, or with varying work schedules (like remote versus in-person).
With employees dispersed across various departments, locations, and schedules, cloud solutions have become essential for modern business operations.
But this reliance on cloud technology also brings forth security concerns. Remote employees may access company data from personal networks or virtual desktops, increasing the risk of compromised security.
“UTunnel streamlines network access management for hybrid team administrators through its intuitive web GUI and precise access controls,” explained Tom. “Our solutions offer secure connectivity for remote users, with features such as multi-factor authentication, centralized user management, single sign-on integration, and dynamic access policies.”
For example, UTunnel provides encrypted site-to-site connectivity for seamless resource sharing between on-premise and cloud networks so employees can access company networks securely from any location.
Some features hybrid teams can utilize include:
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Administrators can define access privileges based on user roles
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of authentication, such as passwords, biometrics, or security tokens
- 256-bit Encryption: Military-grade encryption (this is no exaggeration!) ensures that data transmitted over the network remains confidential and secure
- DNS Filtering: Blocks access to malicious websites and restricts access to websites based on predefined categories
Tom also explained that, besides RBAC, you can customize your controls to allow access for certain individuals at specific times or locations. This ensures your employees only access company data at permitted times, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or potential breaches.
“We offer policy-based access controls so administrators can regulate access based on factors such as location, time, and device operating system,” he said. “Our Zero Trust approach also offers the flexibility to restrict access to specific user devices, ultimately bolstering overall security and safeguarding sensitive data.”
Staying Agile Against Cybersecurity Threats
UTunnel is always toying around with new developments and beta-testing new features.
“We’re continuously monitoring cybersecurity trends, updating infrastructure, and integrating cutting-edge technologies,” said Tom.
One of those new pieces involves SCIM protocols (System for Cross-domain Identity Management), which standardizes the exchange of identity information between entities, such as networks or applications and users.
“We’re dedicated to staying at the forefront of cybersecurity, continuously evolving to address emerging challenges,” Tom said. “As the future unfolds, we’re enthusiastic about contributing to the evolution of cloud solutions, ensuring that even small and medium businesses can navigate the digital landscape with confidence and resilience.”
Aside from SMB solutions, UTunnel also has solutions for families sharing the same network.
It enables families to secure their home’s internet connections for enhanced privacy, improved security, and better control over network access with end-to-end encryption and web filtering capabilities.
You can try a free demo if you’re curious to see it in action.
But if you’re an SMB owner, then you need more sophisticated solutions. The good news is that UTunnel starts at just $6/mo. You can bring your own server or integrate with one of UTunnel’s trusted cloud partners, including DigitalOcean, Linode, UpCloud, Hetzner, Vultr, Kamatera, and Exoscale.
