With the rise in digitization and many businesses adopting online transactions, security has become crucial. Innovators are coming up with several mechanisms to ensure safety as you utilize the internet. One such mechanism is a proxy server. A proxy server acts as the bridge between you and the sites you’re accessing on the internet.
As a business, do you think you require to invest in a proxy server? This article will highlight some of the pros and cons of adopting a proxy server for your business. Follow through for this information and more.
Pro: Gives You Faster Access
As you search for information on the internet, it can take time to load results, which can be dissatisfying, especially if time isn’t a luxury. A proxy server can reduce the loading time and give you quick access to the data you need.
This function is made possible thanks to its cache system. A proxy’s cache system is quite good and will capture your previous searches into its system, no matter the number. Should you do a similar search in the future, it’ll look through its systems first before searching the internet. If the data is in its cache, it’ll avail the results to you, giving you faster access.
However, it’s good to note that you’ll only get fast access if the data you’re seeking is in its systems. If not, you’re likely to experience slow access since it’ll get the data online.
Pro: Gives You Access To Blocked Sites
Certain sites will restrict access to their pages based on locations or other reasons. With the restriction, you can’t get access to these sites should you need them.
Despite the restrictions, the best proxies can get you in since, as previously stated, your IP address is hidden. With this, you’ll get all the information you require to help run your operations.
Pro: Safeguards Your Business
As a business, you hold a lot of data—some sensitive while others with client information. The security of this data is crucial since, should it get into the wrong hands, a lot of harm could be done. In running your operations, your team might require information or insight into something from another website. Directly doing this puts your data at risk of a breach. However, accessing these sites indirectly is what’s going to protect your data. A proxy server will help you do this.
This server will act on your behalf and access data from the said website through its IP address before relaying the information to you. You’re hidden here as a business since your IP address isn’t disclosed, and no other party knows your internet activity besides the proxy server.
A proxy server will also assist you in safeguarding your business besides hiding your identity. Proxy enables you to restrict access to certain sites, maybe if they’re known to be common breeding grounds for hackers.
Con: Possible Incompatibility
To utilize sneaker proxies, they need to integrate with your current network. You either have to get a server that works with your network or configure the proxy to suit the network.
The disadvantage arises when the configuration process is too complex for your team to configure. This might mean getting another proxy or changing your network, which can be inconvenient.
Con: Possible Breach
A data breach when using a proxy server is likely to happen if you’re working with an untrustworthy internet provider. As previously stated, a proxy server has a good cache system, meaning it’ll have all your passwords and other data.
If your internet provider is malicious, they can retrieve this data from the network and use the data wrongly, putting your company at risk.
The provider can also be the source of a data breach where some of its workers don’t put adequate measures to protect your network. With an unsecured network, hackers can easily access your data from the proxy server through the network.
Con: High Costs
Setting up a proxy server can be expensive, especially if it needs configuration. You’d have to hire an expert to do the configuration, including coding, and the experts don’t come cheap. Alternatively, you can opt to employ a network administrator, adding to your monthly expenses due to monthly compensations and other benefits.
If hiring or employing a new worker isn’t an option, you’d have to train your current team. The training process will consume a lot of time and money, considering the complexity of the systems. Also, suppose you desire to have additional security features with your proxy server due to the sensitivity of your date. In that case, you have to pay more to get them.
Conclusion
With the information in this article, you’re better positioned to decide whether your business needs a proxy server or not. However, it’s best to assess your needs, especially regarding the kind of data you handle. Assessing your data needs is the first stepping stone to ensuring you make the correct decision on a proxy server. Make the right one.
