In an age where internet connectivity is a virtual lifeline for individuals and businesses, a dedicated IP VPN has many advantages for your organization’s network users as they engage in a variety of online activities.
There are approximately 5 billion internet users worldwide, making it crucial for businesses to prioritize their online security and privacy when connecting to the internet.
One effective measure to safeguard sensitive data and maintain a secure connection is to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A dedicated IP provides a unique identifier for the user or organization within the VPN network. It is exclusively assigned to a specific user and remains constant whenever they connect to the VPN.
In this article, we discuss how a dedicated IP on a VPN benefits businesses and why GTT’s dedicated IP VPN service is quality protection you can choose for your employees and external access points.
What is a Dedicated IP Address?
IP addresses serve as numerical identifiers for every device connected to a network. These addresses enable devices to establish connections and exchange data, much like phone numbers facilitate communication between individuals in a city.
Imagine a large city with countless residents and businesses. Each individual or establishment is assigned a phone number. When someone wants to make a call, they dial a specific phone number to reach the intended recipient.
Some recipients share the same phone number intentionally, like an organization having a shared phone number for a reception desk or a family sharing a landline number.
Then there are dedicated phone numbers that are not shared but are unique to the identity of one individual. For example, a mobile number is dedicated to one individual.
In much the same way, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) assign a numerical identifier to every device that connects to their network called the IP address of that device. It may be a shared IP or a dedicated IP address. Just as phone numbers are used for communication, IP addresses allow devices to communicate over the internet.
In most cases, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) assign dynamic IP addresses to devices that connect to the network. Dynamic IP addresses are allocated from a pool of available addresses and can change each time a user connects to the network or at intervals determined by the ISP.
This is not the case with IP VPN. IP VPN assigns a dedicated IP address which is an exclusive numerical identifier assigned to a particular user. It does not change and is not shared with other users.
Users can request an add-on dedicated IP address from their ISP, usually at an extra cost. This is particularly useful for certain applications, services or security requirements.
GTT provides dedicated IP VPN services for secure connectivity available in flexible and scalable configurations to suit the evolving needs of your business.
What is a Virtual Private Network or VPN?
A virtual private network (VPN) is a technology used to establish an encrypted and secure connection between the Internet and a user’s device.
It acts as a virtual tunnel, encrypting the data traffic passing through it and routing it through remote servers in different geographical locations.
When a user connects to a VPN, their data is encrypted and securely transmitted through the VPN server. This helps protect sensitive data from being intercepted or accessed by unauthorized entities, such as hackers, government surveillance or malicious actors.
VPNs have been increasing in popularity, especially in scenarios where specific networks, services or systems require “whitelisting” or IP-based authentication.
According to a Forbes Advisor survey, 50% of respondents reported they used VPNs for work. 46% use a VPN when accessing streaming services, 42% use a VPN for security on public Wi-Fi, and 26% use a VPN to access region-locked entertainment.
Dedicated IPs usually involve additional costs compared to shared IPs. Some of the best VPN providers offer dedicated IP services as an add-on feature, requiring users to upgrade their VPN subscriptions or pay an extra fee.
In the next section, we look at some of the benefits of a dedicated or static IP VPN.
Benefits of a Dedicated IP VPN
A dedicated IP provides VPN users with an exclusive and consistent IP address for specific use cases, allowing for enhanced accessibility, trustworthiness and uninterrupted connectivity with certain online services or networks.
Let’s discuss in more detail why businesses need a dedicated IP VPN and how it benefits them:
Improved IP Reputation
Many websites or services have security measures that treat connections from shared IPs with caution, whereas connections from dedicated IPs may be more trusted and reliable.
Dedicated IP addresses tend to have a better reputation as compared to shared IP addresses. This is because if one of the devices sharing the IP engages in activities that affect the IP's reputation, such as spamming or malicious behavior, then all users sharing that IP suffer reputational damage. They may face blocks by certain websites or servers, restrictions on access and denial of service.
By having a dedicated IP option, businesses can maintain a clean IP reputation which is crucial for tasks like email delivery, online transactions and building trust with customers.
Dedicated IP VPNs are particularly beneficial for businesses whose users are engaged in activities like remote access of sensitive data, online banking, live content streaming or hosting websites.
Secure Internet Access
A dedicated IP VPN gives you a permanent IP while connecting from any device. It is ideal for performing online activities that demand higher security, such as online banking or remotely accessing highly sensitive or regulated data.
Employees can connect to the company’s VPN server, creating a secure connection that allows them to access resources, files or systems as if they were physically in the office.
Using a dedicated IP address mitigates the risks of being blocked by websites or security issues associated with shared IPs, as well as prevents too many instances of captchas being presented to users for security.
A dedicated IP VPN is especially crucial when using public Wi-Fi networks to access sensitive or business data. It serves as a way to gain private internet access when on a public network.
Another example: A dedicated IP is recommended when using Internet of Things (IoT) devices or security systems. A secure and encrypted connection with a static IP address can better protect data transmission from IoT sensors.
Decreased Downtime
Dedicated IP VPNs have a much higher uptime and reliability than shared IP VPNs. Shared IP addresses may risk being blacklisted or experiencing service interruptions if one of the devices sharing the IP engages in malicious activities.
Since dedicated IPs are exclusive to a single user, they are less prone to congestion or performance issues caused by the actions of other users. This dedicated resource allocation ensures a more stable and consistent connection, resulting in improved uptime and reliability for the user.
A dedicated IP VPN connection ensures that your business can operate without disruptions and maintain a consistent online presence.
This is particularly beneficial for critical services like web hosting, e-commerce platforms, or online applications that require consistent availability.
Enhanced Server-level Control
A dedicated IP VPN gives you direct access to the VPN server and allows for customized setups and configurations.
For example, such control is necessary for hosting websites requiring SSL/TLS certificates or implementing advanced network setups.
It is essential for accessing specific networks or systems that require whitelisting or for businesses that need consistent access to their resources.
It also gives you granular control over who can access your servers (and services).
Easier Remote Work
In today’s work environment, remote work has become a popular option for many industries.
Having a dedicated IP address simplifies remote access to company resources and systems. It enables secure connections for employees accessing internal servers, databases or other resources remotely.
Many business networks are designed so that they can be accessed only through specific IP addresses, enhancing security and reducing the chances of unauthorized access.
With a dedicated or unique IP, you can easily control what IPs can access your business, allowing remote employees to work safely.
And reliable and convenient remote work environments help foster productivity and collaboration.
Businesses can also track IP locations in the situation that a device is stolen and may have access to a kill switch for each device to ensure data is protected.
Protect Your Business With GTT’S Dedicated IP VPN
GTT connects people across organizations, around the world and to every application in the cloud.
We provide the fastest, most reliable internet experience available anywhere. We own and operate AS3257, one of the world’s top-ranked Tier 1 IP networks—providing the scalability and reach you can rely on to remain globally connected. And we deliver exceptional customer support and service experience built on our commitment to operational excellence.
Reliable connectivity is essential for your business. Protect your business with a Dedicated IP VPN service provider like GTT to secure valuable business information and protect your users from ever-increasing cyber threats such as malware, ransomware, DDoS, phishing and more.
Learn more about how GTT’s Dedicated IP VPN service can protect your business users and provide them with fast and secure connectivity. Talk to a GTT expert today!
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