If your business has multiple locations, you probably want them all to stay connected, right? You need information to flow smoothly between sites, without any hiccups. But it’s not like you can achieve that by just plugging in a few cables. It doesn’t work like that.

What you need is to set up—that is, digitally build—a robust and secure network that can connect multiple offices without ever putting your company’s data at risk. That’s where a VPN enters the scene. Let’s show you how you can use it to create a secure connection between your sites.

Why companies need to connect multiple offices securely

It doesn’t matter if your company connects just two offices or a dozen—once you’ve got one network linking multiple locations, someone might be looking for a way to get into one site and use it as a gateway to others.

That is, if your connection isn’t properly secured, cybercriminals could potentially break into your internal systems from any of the connected sites. Even if not, they might try to intercept sensitive data as it moves between locations. Either way, it could lead to stolen customer information, leaked intellectual property, or exposed communication like internal emails.

And that’s not all. A weak connection between company offices can open the door for malware or ransomware to spread. Just one compromised location can put your entire network at risk. That kind of breach can bring all your operations to a halt and cost you a lot of time and money.

Last but not least, there’s compliance. As you know, many industries have strict data privacy rules—like GDPR, HIPAA, and many others. So, if your office-to-office communication isn’t well protected, you could end up not being compliant with the regulations, which can lead to fines, legal issues, or damage to your reputation.

Most people think of a VPN—short for Virtual Private Network—as software that hides their device’s IP address and keeps their internet activity private. And that’s true—but VPNs can do more than that. For example, employees can use them to connect securely to their company’s internal network.

So, how does it work from the user’s perspective? This is done using a VPN client—an application that allows your device to connect securely to a VPN server. But instead of connecting to a public or random server, you’re connecting to your company’s own virtual private network.

Of course, that VPN server isn’t open to just anyone. The company must first give you access rights or configure your account to allow VPN access. Then, each time you try to log in, you’re verified, usually through authentication methods such as passwords, TOTP (time-based one-time password) codes, or magic links.

Once you’re authenticated, the VPN client and the company’s server create an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internal network. This allows you to safely access files, apps, and other internal systems—just as if you were in the office, connected to the company Wi-Fi.

Key benefits of using a VPN to connect multiple locations securely

We’d go as far as to say that once a business grows beyond a single headquarters, setting up office-to-office VPN connectivity isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Why? Because it brings so many benefits to how teams work and collaborate that it becomes an operational necessity.

Here are a few key advantages of connecting your offices through a VPN:

• Secure data sharing: By creating encrypted VPN tunnels between your offices, you ensure that sensitive information remains protected during transfer from one location to another.
• Consistent access to company systems: Employees in different locations—including remote workers—can securely access shared systems, services, and data as if they were all working side by side.
• Reduced costs: Rather than paying for expensive dedicated connections between offices, a VPN allows you to safely use the public internet at a fraction of the cost.
• Improved access management: When you connect multiple offices with a VPN, your IT team can easily manage network resources, monitor activity, and enforce strict security policies—all from one central place.
• Controlled access: VPN gateways let you restrict which parts of the company network employees can access, making sure that everyone can only reach the resources they’re authorized to use.
• Better collaboration: When teams can share data easily and safely across locations, working together between offices just gets smoother and more productive.

Choosing the right VPN setup for your company

Decided to connect multiple offices with a VPN? Great! Now, the next step is figuring out how to set it up. There are two main options to consider: site-to-site VPN and remote access VPN.

Each of those meets different needs and works in different ways depending on your company’s size, structure, and how your teams connect to resources. So, the setup and management will look different based on which route you take. Because of that, it’s worth taking a little time to learn about both before making a decision. Here’s what you need to know.

Site-to-site VPN

Like its name suggests, Site-to-Site VPN is about connecting entire office networks that are in different physical locations.

The way it works is by using routers or firewalls at each office, which are set up as VPN gateways. These VPN gateways encrypt and decrypt data as it travels between offices. So, data is technically moving over the public internet, but it goes through a secure tunnel from start to finish, which keeps it protected while in transit.

Once configured, these site-to-site VPN tunnels are either always active or automatically turned on when needed. As a result, devices at each location can see and access each other’s resources as if they’re on the same local network—even though they’re actually miles apart.

Remote access VPN

Remote access VPN allows individual users to connect to your company’s private network from any location.

So, unlike a site-to-site VPN, which connects multiple office networks together, here each employee’s device uses a VPN client to log in and create an encrypted connection to the company’s VPN server. Once that connection is established, the user gains access to the company’s digital resources. However, administrators can—at any point—control exactly what the user can see and do by using access controls, network segmentation, firewalls, and other security tools.

As the name implies, this setup is best suited for remote work, where employees are spread out around the world but still need secure access to the same company systems, data, and tools to do their jobs effectively. This setup can also be used to connect employees from different offices, treating each office as a remote site.

Best practices for configuring office-to-office VPN

Setting up a secure connection between offices looks different for every company—after all, no two companies have the same number of offices, countries, devices, or systems. But there are a few key things every company should do when setting up this kind of connection, and they are:

• Properly configure all VPN gateways: Set up the right IP addresses, routing rules, and firewall permissions to make sure data travels securely between locations.
• Use strong encryption: Ensure data is encrypted while in transit using up-to-date algorithms like AES-256 or XChaCha20.
• Implement authentication methods: Use techniques like multi-factor authentication (MFA) to ensure only trusted users and devices can connect.
• Monitor your VPN setup at all times: Watch out for unusual activity or connection problems to catch potential threats before they escalate.

How Nordlayer can help secure your company network

As you’d expect from a truly advanced network access security platform, NordLayer brings the best of both worlds with a secure access service edge (SASE) solution that enables the creation of a hybrid setup combining site-to-site VPN and remote access VPN.

That’s right! With NordLayer, you can create an encrypted connection between your branch offices (Site-to-Site VPN) while also making it possible for individual users to securely connect to your company’s private network (Business VPN)—simultaneously, with advanced access controls for each VPN connection.

With such flexibility, along with features like Always On VPN and support for Zero Trust policies, NordLayer makes it easy to connect multiple offices without compromising your team’s workflows.

Today, when you rarely see someone without a mobile device in hand, the line between personal and professional devices is blurrier than ever. From checking emails to joining video calls, employees increasingly expect the freedom to use their own devices—smartphones, tablets, and laptops—to access corporate resources. This Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend isn’t going away anytime soon, especially with the rise of remote and hybrid work.

While a flexible device policy can boost productivity and employee satisfaction, it also introduces serious security and privacy challenges for organizations. Without proper controls, personal devices can become weak links, exposing companies to data leaks, malware, or unauthorized access.

That’s where structured guidance comes into play. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a framework for securing mobile device usage in enterprise settings. In this article, we’ll explore how NIST helps businesses implement robust BYOD security practices while still balancing the flexibility modern work demands.

What is NIST, and why does it matter for BYOD

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is a U.S. government agency that develops standards to enhance innovation and security. For cybersecurity professionals, NIST is best known for its SP 800-series, a comprehensive library of documents that offer best practices and guidance on topics ranging from managing cyber risks to implementing Zero Trust architectures.

When it comes to device BYOD strategies, NIST SP 800-124 Revision 2 (Guidelines for Managing the Security of Mobile Devices in the Enterprise) is especially relevant. This document provides specific recommendations for securing both corporate and personal devices that access organizational resources.

Why is this important? Because BYOD isn’t just a convenience—it’s a strategic decision with significant security and privacy implications. Using recognized government security guidelines helps ensure your device policy is built on a solid foundation of proven, scalable practices.

Common BYOD risks in the workplace

Despite the benefits of BYOD—flexibility, cost savings, and improved user experience—it also exposes organizations to new vulnerabilities. According to research, improperly managed BYOD programs are a leading cause of corporate data breaches.

Some of the most pressing BYOD security risks include:

• Unsecured networks: Employees often connect to public Wi-Fi, putting sensitive data at risk
• Device loss or theft: Individual devices may lack encryption or remote wipe capabilities
• Lack of visibility: IT teams can’t monitor every device without an endpoint management strategy
• Malware exposure: Users might download malicious apps or fall victim to phishing schemes
• Shadow IT: Employees may install unauthorized apps that access business data

Without controls, BYOD can quickly turn into a security blind spot. That’s why following structured guidance is essential.

Securing BYOD the NIST way: Practical safeguards that work

The federal cybersecurity framework not only outlines the problems but also provides actionable solutions. Its recommendations help mitigate BYOD security risks using layered defenses tailored to mobile and personal device usage.

Here’s how to align your BYOD strategy with NIST SP 800-124 Rev. 2:

Device provisioning and onboarding

Before granting access, enroll personal devices into a secure environment. Provisioning includes verifying the device, applying configuration settings, and installing required security software. This baseline ensures devices meet your organization’s minimum standards before they connect to sensitive resources.

Access controls

Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) so users can only access what they need. Layer in multi-factor authentication (MFA) and contextual access policies based on user location, device health, or risk score. This helps limit exposure in case of compromise.

Mobile Device Management (MDM)

Use an MDM or endpoint management platform to maintain visibility and control. Features should include pushing security updates, enforcing policies, and the ability to remotely lock or wipe compromised or lost devices.

Data encryption and remote wipe

Ensure all data—in transit and at rest—is encrypted. In case of loss or theft, remote wipe capabilities help prevent data leaks from individual devices.

App vetting and restrictions

Use application allowlisting or vetting processes to control which apps can be installed. Block access to risky third-party tools or personal cloud storage solutions that may leak corporate data.

User training and awareness

Educate employees on security risks, phishing threats, and proper usage. Secure behavior is as critical as secure technology.

Continuous monitoring and threat detection

Implement real-time monitoring for suspicious activity and enforce compliance dynamically. Continuous risk assessment and monitoring allow you to respond quickly to emerging threats.

Enterprise browser

Consider using an enterprise browser—a managed, secure browser that offers isolation from local device risks. It provides a consistent security perimeter, especially in high-risk or unmanaged environments.

NIST-aligned best practices to strengthen your BYOD program

Let’s break down some of the above recommendations into best practices based on trusted security benchmarks:

1. Establish a clear BYOD policy

Before launching a BYOD initiative, create a policy that outlines acceptable use, privacy expectations, and security requirements. Employees should know what’s monitored, what’s protected, and what’s off-limits.

2. Segment network access

Create separate network segments for personal and corporate devices. Limit the blast radius in case of compromise by applying Zero Trust principles.

3. Mandate security configurations

Require security settings like screen locks, disk encryption, automatic updates, and antivirus or malware protection software. MDM tools can enforce these settings across devices.

4. Leverage enterprise identity solutions

Integrate identity providers (IdPs) and context-aware authentication to maintain control over who accesses what. Tie access to risk signals and real-time analysis.

5. Monitor device compliance

Regularly audit personally owned devices for compliance. If a device is jailbroken or out of date, automatically block it from accessing company resources.

Why NIST BYOD strategies just work

When you align your BYOD policies with NIST, you get more than just peace of mind. You build a security framework that scales, complies, and supports business growth.

Here’s what you gain:

• Stronger data protection: Encryption, MDM, and vetted apps minimize the chances of data breaches—even if a device is lost or stolen.
• Simplified compliance audits: If you’re in a regulated industry (HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS), NIST-aligned controls help you demonstrate proper security and privacy safeguards.
• Remote work enablement: Employees can work from anywhere without putting your infrastructure at risk. BYOD becomes an asset—not a liability.
• Lower security overhead: Standardizing on NIST controls reduces ad hoc fixes and cuts down on incidents and response times.

How NordLayer supports secure BYOD (and what’s coming next)

NordLayer is built to make modern work environments secure—even when employees use their own devices. Our platform helps organizations adopt BYOD without compromising visibility, control, or data security.

Here’s how we support your journey:

• Contextual access controls: Define who gets access, from where, and under what conditions—whether it’s a laptop or a smartphone.
• Network segmentation & traffic encryption: Isolate sensitive environments and secure connections using VPN tunnels and malware protection.
• Easy integration with MDM and identity platforms: NordLayer integrates seamlessly with your existing stack, making it easy to enforce security rules for individual devices.

And we’re not stopping there. Soon, we’re launching NordLayer’s Enterprise Browser, designed to extend your secure perimeter to unmanaged personal devices. It offers Zero-Trust-based session control, policy enforcement, and granular visibility into browser-based activity—all without compromising the end-user experience.

In summary, BYOD doesn’t have to mean “bring your own danger.” With NIST as your compass and tools like NordLayer in your stack, you can empower remote workers, protect your data, and build a future-proof security strategy.

Sorry to break it to you, but if you’re running a startup—even just a small one—you’re up against the same cyber threats as large enterprises. In fact, you might be at more risk than any of those big corporations. Why’s that? Because bad actors know most startups don’t have advanced security measures in place. And that makes them more attractive targets.

Studies show that 43% of cyberattacks focus on small businesses. And yes, most startups fall into that category—so you need to defend yourself. How do you do that? First, let’s discuss what cybersecurity challenges you’re up against, then help you find the right tools and strategies to protect your startup.

Key takeaways

• All startups face serious cybersecurity challenges like data breaches, ransomware, and phishing.
• Startups can improve cybersecurity by using tools like VPNs or ZTNA solutions, firewalls, and threat protection platforms.
• A small startup can boost its cybersecurity for around $2,000, using just the basic tools and strategies.
• NordLayer offers many top cybersecurity solutions in one product, letting startups focus on growth safely.

Why do cybercriminals target startups so much?

It’s pretty simple—cybercriminals assume startups don’t have the time, budget, or resources to build strong cybersecurity defenses. More often than not, they’re right. That’s why startups tend to be much more vulnerable than large enterprises, which usually invest heavily in the latest cybersecurity solutions like endpoint protection, threat detection, and intrusion prevention systems.

And then there’s the payoff. For bad actors, breaking into a startup’s systems can be like discovering a goldmine. Once they get inside, they might:

• Steal your ideas and try to sell them to your competitors
• Put your customer data for sale on the dark web
• Lock up your systems and demand a ransom to unlock them

All of this can earn them a lot of money while putting your funding at risk and slowing down your growth before you even get started.

To sum up, attackers see startups as easy targets with weak security, and they know there’s big money to be made when they successfully attack them.

Cyber threats all startups must face

Like we said in the beginning, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a small startup or a big corporation. In the end, you’re facing the same cybersecurity challenges. And unfortunately, there are many you need to watch out for. Let’s go over the biggest cyber threats you should be aware of.

Ransomware attacks

Okay, picture this: you go to work, open your laptop, and try to pick up where you left off, but… your files won’t open. You try a few times, but nothing works. Next, you get an email saying that if you want your files back, you’ll have to pay—and it won’t be cheap. That’s basically what a ransomware attack looks like: bad actors break into your system, encrypt your files, and demand a big payment to decrypt them.

Even if you decide to pay the ransom, there’s no guarantee that attackers will actually restore your access. And while you wait for them to do so, your startup could be dealing with production downtime, potential loss of intellectual property, exposure of sensitive customer data, or legal issues due to a lack of regulatory compliance. It’s really hard to find a silver lining in this scenario.

Data breaches

Probably one of the biggest nightmares for any business is finding out that its sensitive information has been compromised. Unfortunately, this happens more and more often, with the average cost of a data breach now being almost $5 million.

Therefore, your startup should be prepared for cybercriminals targeting your customer data, intellectual property, or any other sensitive information that could land you in trouble if leaked. Because if they pull it off, the results can be devastating. We’re talking stolen employee identities, costly legal fines for failing to comply with regulations, your operations coming to a grinding halt, and more.

Phishing attacks

Phishing attacks are scams designed to trick people into giving away sensitive information, either personal or related to the company they work for. These attacks often come as fake emails, suspicious text messages, or websites that look like they come from a legitimate source.

Attackers often create a sense of urgency to pressure people into clicking a harmful link, downloading infected files, or entering their login details. If someone falls for it, threat actors can access company systems, steal valuable data, and use it to make money illegally.

Human error

Everyone makes mistakes. But when one mistake hurts the whole company, things get serious fast. Studies show that human error is behind a huge number of cyber-attacks. Some research even suggests that up to 95% of data breaches start with an employee’s mistake.

Sometimes, all it takes is one person clicking on a malicious link in an email they thought was legitimate—and suddenly, it’s a domino effect as system after system gets compromised.

Insider threats

Of course, security incidents caused by employees aren’t always accidental. There are situations where a person on the inside deliberately opens the door to cybercriminals—that’s what’s known as an insider threat.

Why would anyone do something like that? It could be for money, out of spite, or just to cause chaos. It’s like that quote from The Dark Knight: “Some people just want to watch the world burn.” The important part is that insiders can abuse their access rights to steal or leak sensitive data—or even sabotage your startup’s operations.

Weak passwords and credential stuffing

Studies show that people’s password habits are far from being great, with many using weak passwords like “123456” for both personal and work accounts. This suggests that your employees’ passwords might not be as strong as you think.

And it doesn’t stop there. A lot of people reuse passwords across different accounts. Why’s that a problem? Well, if one of their other accounts gets hacked and their credentials are compromised, cybercriminals might try using the same credentials to break into your startup’s systems (it’s called credential stuffing).

As you might guess, many people both use weak passwords and reuse them across accounts. And when that happens, it’s easy to see how your company could be walking a fine line between staying secure and facing a serious cybersecurity threat.

Best practices for improving cybersecurity for startups

Considering all the cyber threats, it can be tough to figure out reliable cybersecurity for startups. The good news? There are plenty of tools and strategies that even small businesses can use to protect themselves effectively. Here are a few things worth adding to your startup’s security game plan.

Adopt a Zero Trust strategy

“Never trust, always verify.” That’s the core idea behind the Zero Trust model. In simple terms, it means you shouldn’t assume anyone or anything trying to access your network is trustworthy—not even people who are part of your company.

Instead, every person and device must be thoroughly verified each time using strict user authentication and real-time network monitoring. Only then can you be sure no outsider sneaks into your digital environment.

Limit access to your applications

The technologies that help bring the Zero Trust model to life are called Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solutions. They help you control access to specific applications and services, isolating users from resources they don’t actually need.

Someone should only get access to specific apps after their identity, context, and compliance with policies have been carefully checked. This way, you lower the chances of unauthorized access and ensure the right employees can get to the right resources.

Implement a strong password policy

This one’s really simple—if you know that people use weak passwords at work, then you need to prevent that at your startup. There are security measures available today—like NordPass, for example—that allow you to create password policies that you can roll out across the entire company.

Once that’s set up, anyone trying to get away with a weak password will be automatically stopped. That simple step can make a big difference in keeping your startup’s passwords strong.

And if your team starts complaining about having to deal with long, complex passwords, you can get them to use a password manager to generate strong passwords and manage them with ease.

Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Strong passwords are a great start, but they’re not enough to keep your startup safe today. You need extra layers of protection on your business accounts. That way, even if your credentials leak, cybercriminals can’t access your digital systems.

One way to do this is by setting up MFA. This will require anyone trying to log in to provide additional proof of identity beyond just a password. It could be a code sent to their email, a time-based one-time password from an authenticator app, or even a biometric scan, like a fingerprint or face recognition.

Some methods are more secure than others, of course, but the point is simple: with MFA, entering a password is not enough for somebody to get in.

Use firewalls to protect your network

For those who don’t know what firewalls are, they’re cybersecurity solutions that monitor incoming and outgoing internet traffic in real time. Then, based on a preestablished set of rules, they decide what’s safe and what’s not. So, if something suspicious—or downright dangerous—shows up, they block it before it can infiltrate your network.

Additionally, you can use firewalls for network segmentation. That is breaking your company network into smaller blocks called “segments” and controlling how traffic flows between them.

So, for example, you can give certain employees access to just one part of the network, without exposing the rest of it. That way, if a threat slips through, it’s more likely to stay contained in that one area instead of spreading to other parts.

Create an incident response plan

What would you do if someone attacked your company? How would you stop the damage from spreading? Where would you even start fixing what’s already broken? These are the questions you need to answer before anything happens. That’s exactly what an incident response plan is for.

The key is having clear, step-by-step instructions so everyone in your company knows what to do during a cyber-attack. With an incident response plan in place, you can act quickly, minimize damage, and keep your team calm. After all, you don’t want them to panic and add to your troubles.

Update software regularly

Most of the tools and services your startup relies on receive regular updates and patches. These are often rolled out to fix security vulnerabilities and keep up with ever-evolving cyber threats.

For that reason alone, it’s essential that you keep all your systems and devices up to date. Skipping a single update might seem harmless, but it can easily open the door to attackers, so make sure you don’t let it slip by.

Educate your team

And then there’s the human side of things—you need to help your team understand why certain security measures matter, why they should use one app over another, and how a single phishing email can trigger a devastating chain of events.

By investing in cybersecurity training, you can clear up confusion, get everyone aligned, and underscore how one serious incident could put the entire business—and everyone’s jobs—at risk.

How much does it cost to improve a startup’s cybersecurity?

The answer to questions like this is almost always: it depends. The cost of improving your cybersecurity can range from as little as $500 to well over $100,000 per month. “That’s quite a stretch,” you might say—so let’s unpack this a little bit.

Your startup’s size, industry, goals, and business needs all play a role in determining the necessary cybersecurity for startups. Startups running global operations usually invest those large sums of money. They do so to meet multiple compliance frameworks, manage vast amounts of business and customer data, and integrate a wide range of third-party platforms and services. At that level, cybersecurity typically requires a significant investment—at least $30,000 per month, but usually more.

That’s because it often involves a wide array of cybersecurity solutions—from advanced network access controls and threat detection tools, to cyber insurance and endpoint protection services, all the way to penetration testing and custom security audits (which can cost from $15,000 to $25,000).

What would be the cost for a small startup?

If you’re just starting out, you can probably get by with a more basic cybersecurity setup. That would typically consist of antivirus software, a firewall, basic access controls, a password manager, and multi-factor authentication tools.

With all this, and a limited number of licenses, you can likely keep costs under $2,000 a month—or even less, depending on your tools and team size. However, the rule of thumb is that startups should allocate around 5.6% to 20% of their IT budget to cybersecurity programs.

What can NordLayer do to help protect your startup?

NordLayer simplifies cybersecurity for startups by combining several network protection tools into one accessible platform.

With just NordLayer in your setup, your startup can easily follow many of the best practices we’ve discussed in this article, like enforcing Zero Trust, using MFA, segmenting your network, and setting up firewall protection.

From ZTNA-based access controls and a business-grade VPN to threat protection and threat intelligence, NordLayer delivers enterprise-level security to startups at an affordable price—all without the unnecessary complexity, steep learning curve, or heavy IT overhead.

So, if you want your startup to have security measures that can help protect it from many cyber threats, you can get NordLayer and have more time and energy for what we all know you’d rather focus on—your company’s growth.

Rebrandly is a global link management platform that helps businesses create and track branded short URLs. With over 1.3 million users and 3 billion clicks tracked monthly, the company helps businesses manage their links more efficiently, giving them better performance, control, and visibility online.

As the company handles large volumes of customer data, strict compliance and data protection are part of its foundation. They meet the highest security standards, including SOC 2 Type II (Service Organization Control 2), GDPR and HIPAA compliance, giving businesses peace of mind about data protection.

Before NordLayer, Rebrandly managed access through manual IP allowlisting, which was a time-consuming process. They needed a security solution that offered automated access control, AWS cloud integration, and support for SOC 2 Type II compliance. NordLayer’s Site-to-Site, a dedicated IP, and custom DNS streamlined their security and eliminated manual overhead.

The challenge: manual IP allowlisting was a headache

We spoke with Antonio Romano, VP of Engineering at Rebrandly, about the company’s shift to a more scalable, secure access management approach.

Before NordLayer, Rebrandly relied on manual IP allowlisting to protect access to internal resources. However, with a globally distributed team and no dedicated IP, this process became frustrating, especially for a company handling confidential data across billions of links.

The manual process made it more challenging to manage SOC 2 Type II compliance, which requires strict access control and consistent security enforcement.

Rebrandly also needed a solution that integrated easily with their AWS cloud environment and simplified permission management.

How NordLayer helped Rebrandly

Rebrandly’s previous setup lacked the automation and centralized control to maintain secure, compliant operations. As Antonio Romano puts it:

With NordLayer, Rebrandly transitioned from manual IP allowlisting to a dedicated IP setup, enabling secure, policy-based access control. The solution integrated seamlessly with their AWS cloud environment, helping protect internal tools and customer data while supporting SOC 2 Type II compliance.

Benefit 1: Secure access with a Dedicated IP

With NordLayer’s Site-to-Site feature, it was easy to configure a server with a dedicated IP in Rebrandly’s AWS cloud environment for secure access.

The Site-to-Site feature uses encryption to securely route each user’s traffic directly to the right company resource based on their needs without affecting connection speed.

Benefit 2: Tools that help achieve SOC 2 Type II compliance

As a SOC 2 certified company, Rebrandly must meet strict security and audit requirements. NordLayer makes it easy by providing Site-to-Site connections and custom DNS settings that ensure consistent, secure access across their team.

Benefit 3: Time saved through automation

Manual IP management was time-consuming and unscalable. NordLayer replaced it with a streamlined, automated solution, saving valuable engineering hours.

Results: simplified SOC 2 compliance and streamlined IP management

By switching to NordLayer, Rebrandly strengthened its security posture while reducing the time and effort spent managing access.

• Faster workflows
  Automated IP management saves several hours per week.

• Increased network security
  Encrypted data transfers between Rebrandly’s employees using NordLayer’s Site-to-Site, whether in the office or remote, help protect the company’s data. This not only protects sensitive customer data but also allows Rebrandly to meet SOC 2 Type II requirements for secure access and data handling.

Why NordLayer works for Rebrandly

Rebrandly uses NordLayer’s Site-to-Site feature to securely connect its internal network to the AWS cloud infrastructure. The setup includes a Virtual Private Gateway and a Dedicated IP, allowing the team to protect sensitive data without compromising performance.

NordLayer also helped Rebrandly save time by eliminating manual IP management. It also supports the company’s SOC 2 Type II compliance efforts, helping them build client trust.

Cybersecurity tips from Rebrandly

Conclusion

Rebrandly’s experience with NordLayer proves you don’t need a large team to have strong, reliable security. By automating access control and making SOC 2 compliance easier, NordLayer helped Rebrandly maintain its strong security posture, save time, and keep things running smoothly.

If your business needs simple, scalable security that works, NordLayer is a good place to start. Contact our sales team to book a demo and find out more.

When companies begin investing in network security, their first instinct is often to protect the most obvious targets—teams handling sensitive data, remote employees, or those working across multiple devices. This partial adoption may seem like a sensible starting point. After all, why onboard everyone right away if only part of the company appears exposed?

But here’s the hard truth: partial protection still leaves your organization vulnerable. It’s like locking the front door but leaving the back wide open: cybercriminals are quick to spot the gaps.

So why do organizations hesitate to adopt network security solutions company-wide? And more importantly, what are the very real consequences of stopping halfway?

Let’s explore why going all-in with solutions like NordLayer isn’t just a best practice—it’s a necessity.

Why companies settle for partial adoption

Many businesses adopt security tools in stages, usually because of:

• Budget limitations: It’s easy to assume only specific departments need protection.
• Perceived risk: Teams not handling financial or sensitive client data may seem like lower priorities.
• Limited IT bandwidth: Onboarding everyone simultaneously can feel overwhelming for small or stretched IT teams
• Lack of urgency: Until something goes wrong, partial coverage often feels “good enough.”

These reasons are understandable, but they’re also short-sighted. As businesses grow more interconnected and distributed, any unprotected team becomes an attack vector. It’s like building half a firewall and hoping no one walks around it.

The risks of a partially protected workforce

When only some employees use network security tools, your defenses are inconsistent and incomplete. Here’s what that means in practice:

• Unsecured endpoints. Employees without secure access may connect through public Wi-Fi or personal devices, exposing sensitive company data.
• Shadow IT. Without centralized visibility, users may install unapproved apps or access risky websites undetected.
• Compliance gaps. Failing to enforce policies organization-wide raises the risk of regulatory violations.
• Internal spread. One unprotected user can cause a breach that may quickly spread even to secured teams.

The bottom line? Partial protection isn’t protection at all. Every unprotected user is a potential entry point.

Real-world results: How full adoption drives success

Some of NordLayer’s clients have already experienced the difference that comes with full adoption. Here’s how companies like Distilled and PatientMpower made the leap—and why they’re glad they did.

Distilled: From partial coverage to total confidence

Distilled is a software development company with a hybrid and remote team structure. Initially, only some teams used NordLayer, leaving gaps in network oversight. But as they expanded, gaps in coverage created more risks and IT headaches.

After implementing NordLayer across all departments, they gained:

• Centralized control over all access points
• Streamlined user provisioning and consistent policy enforcement
• Peace of mind knowing all employees operated under the same security policy

Now, Distilled’s IT team has complete visibility, and the entire company operates under one secure framework.

PatientMpower: Safeguarding healthcare data at scale

PatientMpower, a health tech firm handling sensitive patient data, started small with NordLayer and then quickly expanded. Security audits revealed the limitations of partial coverage, so they onboarded the entire team. The result?

• Robust endpoint security for remote and on-site teams
• Unified user management and access control
• Audit-ready documentation thanks to built-in compliance features

Full adoption helped PatientMpower protect patient trust and meet industry requirements with confidence.

The benefits of full adoption

Going all-in with your network security tools eliminates vulnerabilities and gives IT teams full control. With full NordLayer adoption, you gain:

Segmentation: Consistent access control across all employees

A segmented network ensures that everyone, from interns to executives, operates within a secure framework, with access restricted to only what they need. Why full adoption matters:

• Cloud Firewall ensures granular access segmentation for teams and individuals.
• DNS Filtering protects everyone from malicious websites and distractions.
• Deep Packet Inspection blocks unauthorized apps and services across the entire workforce, minimizing vulnerabilities.

Prevention: Eliminating weak links in your security setup

Cybercriminals look for gaps—and when only part of your company is protected, those gaps are easier to find. Why full adoption matters:

• Always-On VPN ensures everyone is securely connected, no matter where they are.
• Device Posture Security ensures every device meets your company’s standards before connecting.
• Download Protection scans and removes malware, adding another layer of device security.

Visibility: Better oversight & risk management

Without full adoption, IT teams operate in the dark—unable to secure what they can’t see. Why full adoption matters:

• Centralized dashboards & activity monitoring enable IT admins to track and manage every user, eliminating blind spots and tightening security policies.

Compliance: Ensuring security standards apply to everyone

Compliance isn’t optional—and it isn’t scalable when only part of the company is covered. Why full adoption matters:

• SOC 2 Type 2 and ISO 27001 certifications mean the entire organization meets top security standards, reducing regulatory risk.

Seamlessness: Simplifying IT management & employee experience

Managing two parallel systems—one for protected users and one for unprotected—is a headache for IT. Full adoption creates one secure, unified experience. Why it matters:

• Easy management for IT admins with seamless provisioning means fewer tickets, better performance, and less complexity.

Final thoughts: Secure everyone, not just a few

Security can’t be selective. Today’s threats target people, not just departments. That means every role, every device, every time needs protection.

By fully adopting NordLayer, you close security gaps, improve visibility, and build a seamless protection layer across your entire workforce. Whether you’re scaling fast or locking down compliance, full adoption gives you the confidence to move forward without compromise.

Ready to make full protection your standard? Contact NordLayer Account Manager or reach out to success@nordlayer.com and secure your entire team today.