How to Set Up a VPN for Remote Access

Remote work is now standard for many organizations, but giving employees access to internal systems from outside the office introduces real security risks. A remote access VPN remains one of the most effective ways to provide secure connectivity—when implemented correctly and not held together by wishful thinking.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up a VPN for remote access, how it works, best practices for securing it, and how solutions like Access Server and CloudConnexa can simplify deployment, improve security, and scale with your workforce.

What is a remote access VPN?

A remote access VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows individual users to securely connect to a private network over the internet. Once connected, users can access internal resources—such as file servers, databases, and applications—as if they were physically inside the office (minus the commute).

Modern remote access VPN solutions increasingly focus on ease of deployment, centralized management, and strong authentication, which is where platforms like Access Server and CloudConnexa are often used.

Remote access VPN vs. personal VPN

A personal VPN is designed for privacy and anonymity. A remote access VPN is designed for organizations and includes:

• User and device management to control who can connect and from what, allowing IT teams to approve, deny, or revoke access without guesswork.
• Access controls that limit users to approved resources, reducing unnecessary exposure and helping enforce least-privilege policies.
• Logging and auditing for visibility and compliance, making it easier to track activity and investigate issues when something looks off.
• Integration with identity providers for centralized authentication, so users sign in through systems your organization already trusts.

Solutions like Access Server are built specifically for business use, offering centralized administration and policy-based access—features consumer VPNs simply don’t aim to provide.

Remote access VPN vs. site-to-site VPN

• Remote access VPN: Individual users connect to a network, typically from personal or company-managed devices outside the office.
• Site-to-site VPN: Entire networks connect to each other, creating a permanent link between offices or data centers.

If your goal is enabling employees to work remotely, a remote access VPN is typically the correct approach. Site-to-site VPNs solve a different problem, even if the names sound deceptively similar.

How does a remote access VPN work?

A remote access VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between a user’s device and a VPN server or gateway. After authentication:

• Traffic is encrypted on the user’s device, protecting it from interception before it ever leaves the endpoint.
• Data travels securely over the internet, even on untrusted networks like public Wi‑Fi, without exposing sensitive information.
• The VPN server decrypts and forwards traffic to internal resources, acting as a controlled gateway into the private network.

Cloud-based platforms like CloudConnexa remove the need to manage your own VPN infrastructure, while still providing encrypted tunnels and centralized access control.

Why use a VPN for remote access?

Organizations rely on VPNs to protect internal systems without exposing them directly to the internet—a tradeoff that rarely ends well.

Secure access to internal resources

VPNs allow controlled access to private applications and networks without opening them to the public web.

Encrypted data transmission

Protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard ensure sensitive data remains protected while in transit.

Centralized access control

With solutions like Access Server, IT teams can manage users, permissions, and certificates from a single interface instead of juggling spreadsheets.

Simplified remote connectivity

CloudConnexa enables secure access without requiring users to connect directly to on-premises infrastructure.

Benefits of using a remote access VPN

Strong security and encryption

Remote access VPNs use proven cryptographic standards. Access Server, for example, leverages OpenVPN-based encryption with certificate support.

Cost-effective remote connectivity

VPNs reduce the need for private circuits or leased lines. CloudConnexa further lowers overhead by eliminating hardware deployment and maintenance.

Simplified IT management

Central dashboards, automated user provisioning, and integrations with identity providers reduce administrative burden—and the likelihood of human error.

Flexible work from anywhere

Cloud-native VPN platforms allow users to securely connect from virtually any location without complex network gymnastics.

Downsides and limitations of remote access VPNs

Traditional VPN deployments can introduce challenges if they’re not thoughtfully designed.

Performance and speed issues

Backhauling traffic through on-premises gateways can increase latency, especially for globally distributed teams.

Scalability challenges

Adding users often requires additional infrastructure, licenses, or configuration changes.

Configuration and maintenance complexity

Manual certificate management and updates can consume more time than expected.

Security risks if misconfigured

Weak authentication or outdated protocols can quietly turn a VPN into a liability.

Cloud-managed solutions like CloudConnexa help address many of these issues through built-in scalability, automatic updates, and modern authentication options.

Should you build your own VPN or use a managed solution?

Self-hosted VPNs (pros and cons)

Pros

• Full control over configuration, allowing organizations to customize network behavior, security policies, and access rules to very specific requirements.
• On-premises data handling, which keeps traffic and sensitive information within the organization’s own infrastructure and compliance boundaries.

Cons

• Infrastructure and maintenance overhead, including server management, updates, monitoring, and troubleshooting that all fall on internal IT teams.
• Scaling challenges as usage grows, since adding users or locations often requires additional hardware, licenses, and hands-on configuration.

Managed VPN solutions (pros and cons)

Pros

• Faster deployment, because infrastructure is already in place and new environments can be provisioned with minimal setup.
• Reduced maintenance burden, as updates, availability, and backend operations are handled by the provider rather than internal staff.
• Built-in redundancy and updates, which improve reliability and security without requiring constant manual intervention.

Cons

• Less low-level customization, since organizations trade some granular control in exchange for simplicity and operational ease.

Access Server offers a balance between control and manageability, while CloudConnexa is ideal for organizations that prefer a fully cloud-based approach.

How to set up a VPN for remote access (step-by-step)

Step 1: Choose the right VPN architecture

Decide whether you need:

• On-premises VPN servers (e.g., Access Server), which give you direct control over infrastructure and traffic flow.
• Cloud-based VPN connectivity (e.g., CloudConnexa), which removes server management and shifts scalability to the provider.
• Full tunnel or split tunnel access, depending on whether all traffic or only corporate traffic should pass through the VPN.

Your choice depends on security requirements, user distribution, and existing infrastructure.

Step 2: Deploy a VPN server or platform

Options include:

• Installing Access Server on a virtual or physical machine
• Using CloudConnexa to avoid server deployment entirely

Cloud-based platforms significantly reduce setup time and ongoing maintenance.

Step 3: Prepare user devices

Ensure endpoints meet security requirements:

• Updated operating systems to reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities and security gaps.
• Endpoint protection enabled so devices meet baseline security expectations before connecting.
• Device compliance checks where possible to prevent unmanaged or risky devices from accessing the network.

Step 4: Install and configure VPN client software

Users install a VPN client configured with:

• Server or platform connection details
• Authentication settings
• Encryption parameters

Access Server simplifies this with user portals and preconfigured profiles.

Step 5: Choose a secure VPN protocol

• OpenVPN: Highly secure and widely trusted, making it a common default for enterprise-grade VPN deployments.
• IKEv2/IPSec: Well-suited for mobile devices thanks to its ability to quickly reconnect when networks change.
• WireGuard: Lightweight and fast, offering modern cryptography with minimal performance overhead.
• L2TP/IPSec: Supported but largely outdated, and generally avoided in new deployments.
• PPTP: Not recommended due to known security flaws that make it unsuitable for protecting sensitive data.

Step 6: Configure authentication and access policies

Strong authentication is essential:

• Certificates are used to uniquely identify users and devices, adding a strong cryptographic layer beyond simple usernames and passwords.
• Identity provider integration allows organizations to centralize authentication using existing systems like SSO, reducing credential sprawl and administrative overhead.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an additional verification step, significantly lowering the risk of compromised credentials being used for unauthorized access.

Access Server and CloudConnexa both support MFA and granular access controls.

Step 7: Test the VPN connection

Validate:

• User authentication to confirm that credentials, certificates, and MFA are functioning as expected.
• Access to internal resources to ensure users can reach only the systems and applications they are authorized to use.
• Logging and monitoring to verify that connection activity is recorded accurately for troubleshooting, auditing, and security review.

Step 8: Troubleshoot common VPN issues

Common issues include:

• Firewall rules blocking traffic, often caused by missing ports or overly restrictive network policies.
• DNS resolution problems that prevent users from reaching internal resources by name.
• Authentication failures related to credentials, certificates, or identity provider integration.

Centralized logging in managed platforms speeds up troubleshooting.

Step 9: Optimize performance and security

• Use split tunneling where appropriate to balance security with performance and user experience.
• Monitor bandwidth usage to identify bottlenecks and prevent unexpected congestion.
• Adjust routing policies as teams grow to ensure access rules stay aligned with organizational needs.

CloudConnexa can improve performance by routing traffic through globally distributed infrastructure.

How to secure your remote access VPN

Once your VPN is up and running, security becomes an ongoing practice rather than a one-time setup task. These measures help reduce risk, limit exposure, and keep remote access from becoming your weakest link.

Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)

MFA significantly reduces credential-based attacks.

Use strong encryption standards

Avoid outdated protocols and weak ciphers.

Apply least-privilege access

Limit users to only the resources they actually need.

Monitor and log VPN activity

Access Server provides detailed logging for auditing and incident response.

Keep software updated

Managed platforms help ensure updates are applied consistently.

Best practices for managing remote access VPNs

Effective VPN management is about consistency and visibility, not just initial configuration. Following these best practices helps keep access clean, controlled, and aligned with how your organization actually works.

User access management

Regularly audit user accounts and revoke unused access.

Device security requirements

Enforce minimum device security standards.

Split tunneling vs. full tunneling

Balance security and performance based on use case.

Scaling remote work

Cloud-based solutions like CloudConnexa scale without additional hardware.

Common remote access VPN use cases

Remote access VPNs are used across a wide range of scenarios, from everyday remote work to tightly controlled third-party access. These common use cases highlight where VPNs continue to provide practical value.

Remote employees

Secure access to internal systems from anywhere.

Contractors and third-party access

Time-limited, policy-based access without exposing the entire network.

Secure application access

Protect internal applications without making them public.

Accessing office files remotely

Safely retrieve internal documents over encrypted connections.

Alternatives to remote access VPNs

While remote access VPNs remain widely used, they are not the only option available today. Depending on your architecture and risk tolerance, these alternatives may complement or partially replace traditional VPN access.

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

Application-level access without full network exposure.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

Combines networking and security in the cloud—an approach CloudConnexa aligns closely with.

Cloud-based application access

Reduces dependency on traditional VPNs for certain workloads.

Remote access VPN FAQs

These frequently asked questions address common concerns organizations have when evaluating or managing remote access VPNs. If you’re looking for quick, practical clarity, this section is a good place to start.

How do I set up a VPN for remote access?
Deploy a VPN platform, configure authentication, install clients, and enforce security policies.

Is a remote access VPN secure?
Yes, when properly configured with modern protocols and MFA.

What are the risks of using a VPN for remote access?
Misconfiguration and weak authentication are the most common risks.

Do remote workers always need a VPN?
Not always—cloud-native and zero-trust models may reduce the need.

What is the most secure VPN protocol?
OpenVPN and WireGuard are widely considered the most secure.

Is there something more secure than a VPN?
Zero-trust architectures can provide stronger security with less network exposure.

Final thoughts: Is a remote access VPN right for you?

Choosing a remote access solution is ultimately a balance between security, usability, and operational overhead. A well-implemented VPN can still play a central role—provided it fits your organization’s structure and long-term plans.

A remote access VPN remains a reliable and effective solution for secure remote connectivity. Platforms like Access Server and CloudConnexa modernize traditional VPN deployments by improving usability, scalability, and security—without sacrificing control.

As remote work continues to evolve, choosing the right VPN approach can mean the difference between a secure, productive workforce and a complex, hard-to-manage network.