Do I need a firewall or VPN for my small business?

Small businesses deal with constant cybersecurity threats, so network protection really isn’t optional anymore.

Most small businesses need both a firewall and a VPN to protect against cybersecurity threats. A firewall filters incoming and outgoing network traffic, blocking unauthorized access to your business systems. A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts your company’s data as it moves over the internet, securing remote access and preventing eavesdropping—even on public Wi-Fi.

Key points:

• Use a firewall to defend your network from hackers, malware, and unauthorized traffic.
• Use a VPN to secure remote work and ensure confidential data stays protected as it travels between devices and offices.
• Combine both for best results: Firewalls and VPNs address different security risks, so using both gives your small business layered, end-to-end protection.

When to use each:

• Firewall only: If all work is done on-site, with no remote access or sensitive data leaving the office.
• VPN only: Rare—usually for businesses with all-cloud infrastructure and strict external access controls.
• Both firewall and VPN: Recommended for any business with remote workers, multiple locations, or sensitive customer data.

Bottom line:
Every small business should have a firewall. If you have remote employees or share sensitive data over the internet, add a business VPN for full protection. For most companies, investing in both is the safest approach.

Firewall and VPN Basics for Small Businesses

Small businesses need firewalls and virtual private networks (VPNs) to keep cyber criminals out and data safe. Knowing how these tools work makes it easier to make smart decisions about your network security.

What Is a Firewall?

A firewall works like a digital gatekeeper between your internal network and the outside world. It keeps an eye on all traffic coming and going, blocking anything suspicious and letting legitimate stuff through.

Firewalls filter traffic by:

• IP address – Allowing or blocking specific network locations
• Port numbers – Deciding which services can talk to each other
• Content inspection – Checking data for anything nasty
• User permissions – Restricting access based on user accounts

We usually suggest hardware firewalls for small businesses—they’ve got dedicated processing power and don’t slow down your computers. Software firewalls run on your existing machines, but they can make things sluggish.

Modern firewalls come with extra features like intrusion detection, malware scanning, and application-level filtering. These next-generation firewalls help you keep up with hackers who use more advanced tricks.

How Does a VPN Work?

A virtual private network sets up an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server. This tunnel keeps your data safe from anyone trying to snoop on your internet traffic.

VPNs usually connect in one of three ways:

• Site-to-site – Securely links multiple office locations
• Remote access – Lets employees work from home without risks
• Host-to-host – Secures communication between specific devices

VPN tunnels encrypt all the data moving between endpoints, so even if hackers grab your traffic on public Wi-Fi, they can’t read it.

VPNs also hide your real IP address, giving you extra privacy. This makes it harder for websites and attackers to track your location or identity.

Key Differences Between Firewalls and VPNs

Firewalls decide what comes in and out of your network by checking every connection against your security rules.

VPNs focus on keeping your data private and encrypted as it travels, whether you’re on a trusted network or not.

In our experience, firewalls do a great job stopping unauthorized access, while VPNs keep your data safe from prying eyes. Most small businesses get the best results when they use both together.

When to Choose a Firewall, a VPN, or Both

Your security setup should match the threats you face and how your team connects to company resources. Using both a firewall and VPN usually makes sense for small businesses, since they solve different problems.

Protecting Your Network from Cyber Threats

Firewalls act as your first defense against outside threats targeting your network. You’ll want a firewall if you need to block unauthorized access, stop malware from getting in, or control which apps can talk over your network.

Key firewall jobs:

• Blocking suspicious inbound connections
• Watching outbound traffic for data leaks
• Preventing threats from spreading between network sections
• Filtering content to keep users away from bad sites

A good firewall checks all network traffic against set rules. This matters even more when you handle sensitive business data or face more advanced cyber attacks.

Business VPNs, on the other hand, protect your data from eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks when you use public networks. Unlike firewalls, VPNs focus on making sure your data stays confidential while it’s in transit.

We usually suggest VPNs for businesses that deal with sensitive customer info or need secure communication with partners and vendors.

Secure Access for Remote and Hybrid Workers

Remote workers need safe ways to connect to company resources without putting your network at risk. A business VPN makes encrypted tunnels so your team can safely access systems, apps, and files from anywhere.

VPN benefits for remote access:

• Encrypts all data between remote devices and your network
• Hides employee IP addresses for privacy
• Lets remote staff use cloud resources and internal servers securely
• Protects against risks on public Wi-Fi

Firewalls work with VPNs by controlling what remote workers can reach once they’re connected. We set up firewall rules so remote employees only see what they need for their jobs.

This layered approach keeps compromised remote devices from threatening your whole network. It also helps you keep productivity up without sacrificing security for hybrid work setups.

Data Privacy and Regulatory Compliance

Some industries require you to encrypt sensitive data when it’s sent over public networks. VPNs help you meet these rules by encrypting all communication between offices and remote users.

Common compliance cases needing VPNs:

• Healthcare organizations protecting patient data (HIPAA)
• Financial services keeping customer info safe (PCI DSS)
• Legal firms maintaining client confidentiality
• Government contractors handling classified info

Firewalls support compliance by controlling access and breaking up your network into segments. We use firewall rules to limit data access based on user roles and business needs.

Deploying both firewalls and VPNs shows you’re serious about protecting sensitive info. This can help you pass security audits and lower your risk from data breaches.

Business Scenarios and Practical Use Cases

Use firewalls mainly if:

• Your team works only on-site
• You want to block certain websites or apps
• You need to segment your network for security
• Your budget only covers one solution

Use VPNs mainly if:

• Most of your employees work remotely
• You send a lot of sensitive data to partners
• Your team travels and uses public Wi-Fi often
• You need encrypted communication for compliance

Use both if:

• You have a mix of on-site and remote staff
• Your budget covers a full security stack
• You handle highly sensitive customer data
• Your business needs strong protection from multiple threats

We’ve noticed that businesses handling payments, personal info, or working in regulated fields get the most out of using both a firewall and VPN. This gives you extra security layers for both your network and your data in transit.

Types and Features of Firewalls and VPNs

Small businesses can pick from a range of security tools, from traditional hardware to cloud-based solutions. VPNs can be simple or complex, and some security platforms combine multiple protections into one.

Firewall Options: Hardware, Software, and Cloud-Based

Hardware firewalls protect your network with standalone devices that sit between you and the internet. They process all your traffic through dedicated hardware. We recommend these for businesses with stable networks and staff who can handle the equipment.

Software firewalls run on your existing servers or workstations. They’re a budget-friendly choice for smaller networks. Windows and Linux come with built-in firewalls, while enterprise software gives you centralized management. These work well if you don’t have much IT budget.

Cloud-based firewalls offer Firewall as a Service (FaaS) through managed providers. You don’t have to worry about hardware, and you get scalable protection. Remote staff connect through cloud security gateways that filter traffic before it hits your network.

Many modern firewalls blend these approaches—a hardware device might use cloud-based threat intelligence while managing local software agents. This hybrid model works well for businesses with multiple locations.

VPN Typologies: Site-to-Site, Remote Access, and Business VPNs

Site-to-site VPNs connect your offices over the internet with encrypted tunnels. These permanent connections let your locations share resources as if they’re on the same local network. We set these up for businesses with multiple branches.

Remote access VPNs let individual employees connect securely from anywhere. Staff install VPN client software on their devices to reach your business network. This setup fits remote work and travel.

Business VPN services from commercial providers offer privacy and geographic access but don’t always fit into your network like enterprise solutions do. Most businesses need their own VPN infrastructure, not just a consumer VPN.

SSL/TLS VPNs give browser-based access without extra software. IPsec VPNs provide stronger encryption for always-on connections. We look at your access needs to recommend the right VPN type and protocols.

Advanced Security: NGFW, UTM, and ZTNA

Next-generation firewalls (NGFW) combine old-school packet filtering with application awareness and threat intelligence. They dig deep into traffic to spot apps and content, not just ports. NGFWs come with intrusion prevention, malware scanning, and web app firewall features.

Unified Threat Management (UTM) bundles several security tools into one box—firewall, antivirus, spam and content filtering, plus VPN. UTM makes life easier if you don’t have a dedicated security team.

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) changes things up by giving users access to specific apps instead of your whole network. ZTNA checks user identity and device health before letting anyone in.

We tend to suggest NGFWs for businesses that need advanced threat protection. UTM is good for companies that want all-in-one security with less hassle. ZTNA is catching on with businesses that use a lot of cloud services.

Essential Features to Consider

DNS filtering blocks bad websites and unwanted content by controlling which domains users can reach. This keeps users away from threats and helps enforce your policies. Most firewalls now include DNS filtering.

Deep packet inspection checks the content of network traffic, not just the headers. It spots apps, finds threats, and lets you set detailed rules. This enables better control and threat detection.

Centralized management lets you handle multiple security devices from one place. This cuts down on headaches when you manage security across several locations. Cloud-based management tools make it even easier.

Threat intelligence integration keeps your security rules up to date by pulling in the latest threat info. This helps you spot new attack methods and block bad IP addresses. We prefer solutions that tap into reputable threat feeds.

Reporting and logging give you a window into what’s happening on your network. Detailed logs help with compliance and investigations. Automated reports show you trends and how well your policies work.

Assessing Your Small Business Security Needs

Figuring out if you need a firewall, VPN, or both starts with a good look at your current setup, how your business operates, and where you might be vulnerable. We suggest checking your network traffic, remote access needs, and available resources to make a smart choice that keeps your business safe.

Evaluating Network Infrastructure and Business Growth

Your existing network is the starting point for any security plan. We look at how many devices connect, what kind of data moves through your systems, and how your traffic changes during the day.

Small businesses that handle sensitive client data or work in regulated industries like healthcare or finance really need strong firewall protection. A firewall becomes even more important when lots of devices access your network at once.

Remote workers bring extra challenges. If your team works from coffee shops, home, or client sites, they need secure remote access to your systems. A VPN gives them encrypted tunnels to keep data safe on public networks.

Growth plans matter too. If you’re planning to hire more staff or open new locations, you’ll want security solutions that can scale. We also check if your current internet provider can handle the extra traffic from security tools.

Cloud apps add another layer to consider. If you use cloud-based software, you’ll need different protections than if everything is on-site.

Budgeting, IT Staff, and Ease of Management

Budget constraints shape a lot of security decisions, but let’s be real—skimping on protection usually ends up costing more than investing in decent security up front. Entry-level firewalls run about $100-300, and business VPN services? Those are typically $3-12 per user each month.

IT staff availability really affects how complex things get. If your business doesn’t have a dedicated IT person (or team), you’re going to want solutions that are easy to use and don’t ask for a bunch of tricky setup steps. In these cases, we often point companies toward managed security services, especially if there’s not much internal expertise to lean on.

Management overhead isn’t the same across the board:

• Firewalls: You’ll need to handle setup, keep them updated, and manage the rules
• VPNs: These need you to manage user accounts, control access, and keep an eye on performance
• Combined solutions: Give you a single place to manage stuff, but you’ll probably need a bit more technical know-how

Business VPN plans usually come packed with admin tools, so you can control employee accounts, tweak connection settings, and set up rules that fit your workplace. With these centralized features, your IT staff has less to juggle.

Support availability really matters when things go sideways. We look for solutions that offer 24/7 customer support and give business users a way to get help fast.

Integrating Firewalls and VPNs in Your Security Policy

Firewalls and VPNs each play their own unique part in a solid internet security plan. We put together strategies that focus on both strong protection and keeping things running smoothly.

A firewall watches over network traffic and blocks or allows data based on the rules you set. It basically stands guard between your internal systems and anything risky coming in from outside.

VPNs take your data and encrypt it as it travels between remote users and your business network. If you need secure remote access, you really can’t skip the VPN—but keep in mind, it doesn’t do the same job as a firewall.

Integration considerations include:

If your team works remotely and deals with sensitive information, you’ll want both a firewall and a VPN. The firewall stands between your network and outside threats, while the VPN keeps remote connections private.

Site-to-site connections let remote folks reach shared drives and internal tools through encrypted tunnels. This feature really matters for companies with several locations or lots of people working from home.