Mobile VPNs vs Traditional VPNs: How Carrier-Grade VPNs Using Mobile Data Reinforce Enterprise Security

The debate around Mobile VPNs vs Traditional VPNs has become increasingly relevant for organizations that manage sensitive data. While traditional VPNs have long been a staple for secure connectivity, they are no longer sufficient to meet today’s heightened security demands. 
 
As per the Forbes Advisor Research, only 11% of professionals exclusively use their business VPN for work-related tasks, despite 50% relying on VPNs as part of their daily job functions. It is like buckling your seatbelt without a windshield – barely enough protection on the treacherous highway of the Internet. 

For businesses aiming to minimize data exposure and ensure carrier-grade end-to-end authentication, traditional VPNs often lack the necessary safeguards. This has driven the shift towards carrier-grade VPN solutions that support the adoption of Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) principles with greater ease and fewer vulnerabilities. 

Understanding VPNs: How They Work and Why Your Business Needs One 

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and the internet. In essence, it acts as a digital tunnel, protecting your data from unauthorized access or surveillance. For businesses, VPNs play a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive information and managing remote access to company resources. 

Here is how a VPN operates: 

1. Encryption: When you connect to a VPN, the software on your device encrypts your data before it leaves. This means that even if someone intercepts it, the information will be unreadable. 

2. Data Transfer: The encrypted data is sent to a VPN server, which then decrypts it and forwards it to the intended destination on the internet. 

3. Response Handling: When the server receives a response from the web, it re-encrypts the data before sending it back to your device. 

4. Final Decryption: Once the data reaches your device, it is decrypted and made accessible, allowing you to browse or work securely. 

This end-to-end encryption ensures that your data stays secure throughout the transmission process. Additionally, by masking your original IP address, a VPN helps keep your online activities anonymous, reducing the risk of tracking. However, it is important to remember that no single solution can guarantee complete security. Click here to learn more about securing cellular data for IoT devices.

Traditional VPNs = Exposure to other devices on the local network and to the Internet 

Traditional VPNs can expose users to vulnerabilities on local networks and the broader internet, posing significant security risks for businesses. Companies recognize these threats as critical to their financial health, particularly for employees traveling internationally. 

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued guidelines aimed at reducing the risk of hacking for international travelers. These recommendations include using strong, unique passwords, regularly disconnecting and reconnecting to networks, and testing security by intentionally entering incorrect passwords to assess expected behavior. 

However, encouraging your workforce to adopt these practices can be a daunting task. 

(Source: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/cybersecurity-tips-international-travelers) 

To enhance security, organizations often mandate the use of traditional business VPN applications. These require end users or laptops to connect to the Internet first before setting up a VPN connection. 

Connecting to unreliable Wi-Fi networks, like those in hotels, train stations, and airports, exposes laptops to potential threats from other devices on the same network. If a user or automated device attempts to exploit vulnerabilities (which is alarmingly simple with unpatched exploits), sensitive data and identities can be compromised. Moreover, connecting to the Internet prior to activating the VPN introduces added risks. This vulnerability can be addressed with solutions such as Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), which prohibits any connectivity until a secure connection is set up. Unfortunately, many companies neglect these measures, permitting Internet access without adequate safeguards.

Furthermore, traditional VPN applications often suffer from inefficiencies. The remote VPN gateway may be poorly routed, resulting in increased latency and overhead due to added traffic headers. This inefficiency can lead to significant costs, especially for organizations managing extensive device fleets. 

Why Carrier-grade VPNs over LTE and 5G? No exposure, more efficient, easier to manage, more performance

Mobile VPNs, often referred to as Carrier-grade VPNs or Mobile Operator VPNs, are designed to deliver enhanced security for mobile users. Unlike traditional enterprise VPNs that route data over the public internet, Mobile Operator VPNs use the telecom provider’s internal transport network. This approach enables a secure site-to-site VPN connection from the mobile operator’s edge directly to the organization’s servers, significantly reducing vulnerability and improving data integrity.

Key Features of the Mobile VPNs

1. Cost savings solutions 

• Cost-Effective: Mobile VPNs offer significant savings by reducing data usage and power consumption. 

• Simplified Management: Unlike traditional VPNs, mobile VPNs need no certificates or passwords. A one-time network configuration ensures seamless use for end-users without the need for ongoing device-level adjustments. 

• Reduced Data Traffic: According to Transatel research, mobile VPNs use 6-7% less data compared to standard VPN clients, helping companies lower their traffic costs. 

• Improved Battery Efficiency: Mobile VPNs consume less power by offloading data encryption, extending device battery life compared to on-device encryption methods. 

2. Seamless user experience 

Mobile VPNs deliver a user experience that significantly surpasses traditional VPNs. With a single SIM card, users can effortlessly access both the company’s intranet and the public Internet without needing to manually log in or enter passwords. This streamlines user convenience and mitigates cybersecurity risks associated with password management. 

3. Maximized Security 

• The VPN tunnel is set up before device connection, ensuring zero Internet exposure.  

• Devices stay invisible to others on the same cellular network, contingent on secure configurations by the mobile operator. 

4. Maximized performance 

This ensures that data traffic is routed seamlessly from the user’s device to the mobile operator’s core network through optimized carrier pathways. It then traverses a dedicated, high-performance tunnel that links the mobile operator directly to the organization’s data center, effectively bypassing the inefficiencies of the public internet. 

Mobile operators like Transatel (link to transatel.com) provide a distinct advantage with their distributed, global core network. In contrast to traditional setups, where a device moving from Europe to the USA routes data back to a central point in Europe—causing latency and bandwidth reduction—Transatel’s network uses regional points of presence. This allows the device to connect to the nearest Transatel location for regional internet access or direct access to your organization’s local data centers, ensuring the best performance no matter the device’s location. 

5. Ubiquitous connectivity 

Leveraging cellular data enables seamless connectivity wherever cellular networks exist. With the advent of satellite-cellular integration, as detailed in [link towards the “Bridging the connectivity gap: the present and future of Satellite-to-Cellular technology” article], 4G and 5G solutions are approaching total accessibility. Employees can now avoid reliance on public Wi-Fi permanently. 

Our IoT Expert’s final thoughts on Mobile VPNs vs Traditional VPNs:

In a world where secure, efficient, and reliable connectivity is paramount, mobile VPNs over cellular data stand out as the superior choice. They offer unmatched security, seamless user experience, high-speed connectivity, and cost-efficiency, making them the future of enterprise connectivity. 
 
Want to learn more about how Transatel can enhance your cost savings and data security with Mobile VPNs? Click here to schedule a FREE 30-minute consultation with our IoT experts today!