According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), 44% of UK employees in 2023 work either remotely or hybrid (from both home and the office)*.

It explains why almost two-fifths (39%) of companies are putting more measures in place to support home working over the next six to 12 months, according to a separate survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development**. These include greater investment in the quality of technology (54%) and more online guidance for line managers in supporting homeworking (52%).

The Human Resources (HR) industry in particular has settled into a remote working environment. According to a study by Flexjobs*** the HR and recruitment industry was the second fastest-growing industry for remote job listings – up by 22% in 2022 and just behind accounting and finance which saw a 31% increase over the same period.

Research* also found that Google searches for remote working jobs in HR increased by 56% between January 2022 and January 2023. 

However, while remote and hybrid working can offer cost-savings and flexibility for both employers and employees, it is crucial that businesses are aware of the increased threat of security violations that come alongside it. 

According to the IBM’s 2023 Cost of A Data Breach report**** cyber attacks are on the rise, with 83% of companies experiencing more than one data breach in 2022 such as a phishing or malware attack. 

As HR activity involves extensive data sharing from employer to employee, one critical piece of tech for HR remote workers to keep their online activities private and safe is a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

A VPN safeguards both personal and corporate data from potential cyber threats such as ransomware, phishing and malware attacks. It is integral in keeping personal and company data safe from third party hackers who can gain access to your network. 

Mark Hooson, business expert at Forbes Advisor, discusses the benefits of using VPNs for remote workers within the HR industry, outlines some of the best VPNs for the job, and rounds up what companies should consider when implementing them.

The importance of VPNs for remote HR workers:

Data privacy and confidentiality
HR departments deal with a multitude of sensitive and confidential information including employee records, payroll details and contracts. Ensuring the security of this data is paramount to maintaining trust and compliance for those working in the company. 

VPNs create a secure and private connection by encrypting the data transmitted between a HR professional’s device and the company’s internal systems. This makes it difficult for any unauthorised third parties to access this highly sensitive data.

Remote relationships
At the core of HR is building personal relationships with employees and candidates. As more HR professionals opt to work remotely, it is important that these relationships are still fostered regardless of location. 

A VPN allows you to work from various locations with public WiFi such as coffee shops or even abroad, while still protecting your internet traffic from third parties. This offers employees a greater sense of flexibility, while also ensuring that company data remains protected and secure – even on a public Wi-Fi network.

Protection from cyber threats
Cybersecurity threats such as hacking, phishing, and malware attacks are common concerns for HR departments, particularly for remote workers accessing a public network. By using a VPN, workers can arm themselves with an extra layer of protection against malware. 

Malware is a type of software that is designed to damage or disable your computer and is spread through email attachments, infected websites, or even social media. A VPN can help protect you against this by blocking access to these malicious websites and preventing hackers from accessing your data.

What features should HR companies look for when implementing a VPN?

There are some essential elements to consider when choosing the best VPN for your company as an HR professional: 

Security features
A VPN should offer robust security measures to protect your online data and activity from hackers and other malicious factors when dealing with highly sensitive employee data. There are certain encryption grades to look out for when choosing a VPN. It’s best to look for one that meets the Advanced Encryption Standards such as AES-256 encryption.

Speed and performance
Speed impacts the overall performance of the VPN and your employee’s ability to connect to the internet effectively. A VPN with high bandwidth can support data-intensive activities, such as conducting video interviews and sharing large files. 

Server network
Server numbers and locations are important factors to consider when choosing a VPN because they can affect the VPN’s overall performance and the level of privacy and security it can provide.  The number of servers a VPN provider operates varies, but typically, top-rated providers consistently run at least over 1,000 servers worldwide.

You will want to choose a VPN that offers servers in locations relevant to your HR operations. For example, if you’re trying to access US content that’s restricted in your country, you need to use a VPN with US servers.

Ease of use and compatibility
Many larger businesses employ a scope of people with varying levels of technical expertise and competence. For a VPN to properly secure your network, all users must be able to set up and operate the service and it needs to be compatible with all devices in your network, from laptops to tablets to phones. 

What VPN should HR companies adopt?

The VPN specialist at Forbes Advisor would recommend one of two types of VPN connections to HR companies: Remote access VPNs and Personal VPNs. 

Remote access VPNs provide users with temporary remote access to company resources and data from outside the company offices. 

The most common use of a remote access VPN might be if you work for a company that requires you to log into a private network when you’re using the open/public internet. The VPN protects the connection and the data transfer between the employee and the private network.

A personal VPN (also known as a consumer VPN) shields your IP address and encrypts active data transfers (from you and to you). It also spoofs your location, which is how you can access previously inaccessible content from your country.

Mark Hooson, business reporter at Forbes Advisor, said:
“VPNs are essential for remote employees to safeguard their data, and keep their personal information private. Having a secure VPN connection will protect your traffic online by encrypting your data from external access. 

“When choosing which VPN is right for you, it’s important to look at your wider goals, whether this is to bypass geo-restrictions or enhance online security, for example. 

“Consider the VPNs server network if you work remotely and want to access content from various regions. It is also important to consider the provider’s reputation and user reviews in addition to features such as speed, security and  privacy, before making your VPN selection.”

* Forbes Advisor