VPN Setup & Remote Access
Secure remote and site-to-site connectivity for distributed teams.
Remote work didn't go away after 2020; it just got more nuanced. The teams MCR works with run a mix: some users fully remote, some hybrid two-or-three days in, some traveling between branch offices, and some out in the field with a phone and a laptop on whatever Wi-Fi they happen to find. The connectivity layer holding all of that together is some combination of VPN, ZTNA, or a hybrid of the two. Get it right and the workforce is productive without thinking about it. Get it wrong and you ship credentials to attackers, slow video calls to a crawl, or cut off the people who need access most.
MCR Business Tech Solutions designs and deploys VPN and remote-access infrastructure for businesses across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and New York. Site-to-site IPsec or WireGuard tunnels for connecting branch offices into one logical network. Client VPN for traveling laptops, work-from-home users, and contractors. Always-on VPN configurations for compliance-driven environments where every connection has to traverse company controls. ZTNA platforms (Cloudflare Access, Twingate, Tailscale) for clients ready to move past traditional VPN entirely.
Multi-factor authentication is non-negotiable on every deployment we do. Stolen-password attacks remain the most common entry point in real-world breaches; an MFA-protected VPN turns a stolen credential from an instant network breach into a phishing attempt that fails. We integrate MFA via Duo, Microsoft Authenticator, or hardware tokens, depending on what fits the customer's existing identity provider. The friction is minimal once it's set up, and it closes the door on the single biggest attack class.
Where it makes sense, we steer clients toward ZTNA rather than traditional VPN. Per-application access (rather than full-network access) limits the blast radius if a credential or device is compromised. ZTNA also tends to perform better than VPN over consumer broadband and removes the need for users to remember when to flip the VPN client on or off. For environments still running on-prem applications that haven't been modernized, traditional VPN remains the right answer; we deploy both and migrate when the application stack catches up.
What's included
Site-to-Site VPN Tunnels
IPsec or WireGuard tunnels connecting branch offices into one logical network. Single Active Directory, single file share, single phone system across all locations.
Remote-Access Client VPN
Individual-user VPN clients on managed laptops and field devices. SonicWall NetExtender, Fortinet FortiClient, OpenVPN, or vendor-native clients picked to fit the firewall.
Multi-Factor Authentication
MFA enforced on every VPN session via Duo, Microsoft Authenticator, or hardware tokens. Stolen passwords alone never grant network access.
Split Tunneling Where It Helps
Business traffic over VPN, public Internet traffic direct from the user's connection. Cuts bandwidth costs and improves video-call quality without weakening security.
Zero Trust Network Access Path
ZTNA platforms (Cloudflare Access, Twingate, Tailscale) deployed for clients ready to move past traditional VPN. Per-application access instead of full-network access.
Always-On VPN for Managed Fleets
Always-on VPN configurations for compliance-driven environments where every connection must traverse company controls. Useful for HIPAA, PCI, and CMMC scopes.
Why businesses choose MCR
MFA on Every Session
Every VPN deployment enforces multi-factor authentication. Stolen passwords alone never grant network access. Integrates with Duo, Microsoft Authenticator, or hardware tokens depending on your identity provider.
Site-to-Site for Multi-Location Businesses
IPsec or WireGuard tunnels connecting branch offices into one logical network. One Active Directory, one file share, one phone system across all locations. Common deployment pattern for our four-state customer base.
ZTNA Migration Paths
For clients ready to move past traditional VPN, we deploy Cloudflare Access, Twingate, or Tailscale. Per-application access limits blast radius if a credential is stolen. Better performance than VPN over consumer broadband.
Compliance-Aware Configurations
Always-on VPN, split tunneling rules, and logging configurations designed around HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and CMMC requirements. Audit documentation produced as a side effect of the regular configuration work.
Getting started
Architecture & Identity Review
Audit existing remote-access setup (if any), inventory the applications users actually need to reach remotely, and review the identity provider (Active Directory, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace) for MFA readiness.
Deploy & Integrate
Configure firewall site-to-site tunnels OR deploy ZTNA platform OR both. Wire MFA, integrate with identity provider, push client software via MDM or Group Policy. Pilot with a small group before full rollout.
Train & Maintain
Brief users on connecting and disconnecting, troubleshoot common issues during the first week. Ongoing monitoring of VPN logs for anomalies, quarterly review of access policies and connected devices.
Frequently asked questions
Do remote workers really still need a VPN in 2026?
It depends on what they touch. If everything is in cloud apps (M365, Google Workspace, Salesforce) and the apps enforce MFA + conditional access, a VPN may be unnecessary. If users still hit on-prem file servers, line-of-business apps, or RDP sessions, a VPN (or ZTNA replacement) is still required.
What's the difference between VPN and ZTNA?
Traditional VPN drops the user onto the company network; ZTNA grants access to specific applications only. ZTNA is the modern replacement for client VPN in most environments because it limits blast radius if a credential is stolen. We deploy both depending on the situation.
Can you connect our Pittsburgh office to a remote branch in Ohio or West Virginia?
Yes. Site-to-site VPN is one of the most common deployments we run. With proper firewalls on each end, the tunnel is invisible to users; everything just works as if both offices are on the same LAN.
Is VPN safe over public Wi-Fi at hotels or airports?
A properly configured VPN with current encryption (IPsec IKEv2, WireGuard, or modern SSL VPN) is safe over hostile networks. The VPN tunnel encrypts traffic end-to-end, so even on a compromised public Wi-Fi network, an attacker can't intercept the contents. MFA on the VPN session guards against credential theft.
Ready to get started?
Book an assessment and find out what MCR can do for your business.