When your business transfers sensitive information, you need to know it is protected between its starting point and destination. Does that mean you should choose a fibre leased line rather than broadband?

The answer depends on how the connection is used. A leased line can provide dedicated internet access or form part of a private network. These offer different benefits, and neither replaces the need for appropriate security controls.

Dedicated internet access or a private connection?

An internet leased line provides dedicated bandwidth for your business. This can help when you need consistent performance, substantial upload capacity or dependable access to cloud applications. However, traffic sent to public internet destinations still travels over the internet.

A private point-to-point link connects specified locations, such as your office and a data centre. Traffic between those locations can stay off the public internet, reducing exposure to threats from that route.

When comparing services, ask your provider which type of connection they are proposing.

Can broadband protect sensitive information?

Yes. Business broadband can carry sensitive information securely when suitable encryption, authentication and security controls are in place.

For example, a correctly configured virtual private network (VPN) can protect traffic between business locations over an internet connection. Applications can also encrypt information in transit, such as when uploading a backup to a cloud service.

These protections matter whether you use broadband or an internet leased line. Dedicated bandwidth does not automatically encrypt your data.

Does a private link still need protection?

A private link can give your business greater control over how locations communicate, but it does not automatically make every transfer secure.

Consider encryption, access permissions, firewall configuration and the security of devices at both ends. A compromised device can put information at risk even when it connects through a private network.

What about static IP addresses?

A static IP address stays the same, which can be useful for some VPN configurations, hosted services and rules that restrict access to known addresses.

Static addresses are commonly available with leased line internet services and some business broadband packages. They are a configuration feature, rather than a security guarantee.

Which connection should your business choose?

Start with what your business needs the connection to do.

• Business broadband: Consider this where the available capacity and service support your applications, with appropriate protection for internet traffic. Discover what broadband services are available to your business 
• Internet leased line: Consider this where dedicated, symmetrical bandwidth and agreed service levels would help your business operate reliably. Find out about Ethernet leased lines from Beaming
• Private connectivity: Consider this where you need controlled communication between specified sites, a data centre or a supported cloud environment.

For backups, assess the volume of data, available upload capacity and how quickly transfers must finish. Also consider the impact of an outage and whether you need a backup connection.

A daily transfer does not automatically require a leased line. The right choice combines suitable connectivity with the security controls your business needs.

Get advice on the whole connection

Speak directly to Beaming’s engineers about where your data needs to go, how it should be protected and the performance your business relies on. Get in touch

We can help you assess broadband, fibre leased lines and private network options against your requirements.