Remote working has become the norm for millions of UK professionals. But connecting to corporate systems from home networks and public Wi-Fi introduces significant security risks that VPNs are designed to address.
The Remote Work Security Landscape
When you work from a coffee shop, hotel, or even your home network, your data travels across networks you do not control. Public Wi-Fi networks are particularly risky — attackers can use man-in-the-middle techniques to intercept your communications.
Corporate VPNs vs Personal VPNs
Corporate VPNs (like Cisco AnyConnect, Palo Alto GlobalProtect, or Microsoft Always On VPN) connect you to your employer’s internal network. They give you access to internal resources but are controlled by your IT department.
Personal VPNs (like NordVPN or ExpressVPN) encrypt all your internet traffic and route it through the provider’s servers. They protect your personal browsing and are under your control.
Key Security Considerations for Remote Workers
Home network security: Your home router may be vulnerable. Ensure firmware is updated, use WPA3 encryption, and change default credentials.
Split tunnelling: Many corporate VPNs only route internal traffic through the VPN, leaving personal browsing unprotected. A personal VPN can fill this gap.
Public Wi-Fi: Always use a VPN on any public network. Even with HTTPS, DNS queries and metadata can be exposed without a VPN.
UK-Specific Considerations
Under the UK GDPR, employers have obligations to protect employee and customer data. Using an unencrypted connection to access sensitive data may constitute a data breach. A VPN helps ensure compliance.
Recommendations for UK Remote Workers
- Use your employer’s corporate VPN when accessing work systems
- Use a personal VPN for all other browsing, especially on public networks
- Enable two-factor authentication on all work accounts
- Keep devices updated with the latest security patches
Find the best VPN for remote workers in our comprehensive comparison.