Learn how to set up a secure, scalable VPN for remote access with practical tips, tools, and best practices.
In today’s increasingly distributed and hybrid work environment, enabling secure and seamless access to internal systems is no longer optional—it’s critical. One of the most effective ways to provide that secure connectivity is through a Virtual Private Network (VPN). But how do you set up a VPN that’s not only secure, but also scalable, reliable, and user-friendly?
This guide walks you through the steps and best practices for deploying a scalable VPN solution, suitable for startups, enterprises, and everything in between.
🚀 Why Scalability Matters in VPN Deployment
When companies first set up a VPN, it’s often for a small group of IT staff or executives. However, during a shift to remote work—or rapid growth—those same systems must accommodate hundreds or even thousands of users. Without scalability, performance tanks, connections drop, and security risks grow.
A scalable VPN ensures:
- High availability and performance under load
- Easier onboarding for new users
- Flexible access control across departments
- Cost-effective growth as your needs evolve
🔍 Key Concepts Before You Begin
Before we dive into the how-to steps, let’s cover a few core terms:
- VPN (Virtual Private Network): Encrypts internet traffic and routes it through secure servers to ensure privacy and data security.
- SSL VPN: A VPN that runs over HTTPS, often browser-based and easier for remote access.
- IPsec VPN: Offers full tunnel encryption and is common in enterprise setups.
- Split Tunneling: Allows users to access internet and VPN simultaneously, reducing server load.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): A more modern approach, offering an alternative or complement to VPNs (more on that later).
🧩 Step-by-Step: How to Set Up a Scalable VPN for Remote Access
1. Assess Your Organization’s Needs
Start by answering the following:
- How many concurrent users do you need to support?
- What systems or applications do users need to access remotely?
- Will users access from multiple countries or regions?
- Do you require compliance with standards like HIPAA, GDPR, or ISO 27001?
This assessment will guide your decisions around infrastructure, protocols, and providers.
🧠 Pro Tip: Use a tool like OpenVPN’s Capacity Planner to estimate your needs based on users and bandwidth.
2. Choose the Right VPN Type
There are different types of VPNs, and the best one depends on your access model.
| VPN Type | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSL VPN | Web apps, browser-based use | Easy setup, minimal client software | Limited full network access |
| IPsec VPN | Full network access | Strong encryption, enterprise-level security | Harder to configure and scale |
| Cloud-based VPN (e.g. NordLayer, Perimeter 81) | Fast deployment | Built-in scaling, managed infrastructure | Ongoing cost, less control |
If you want full network access with tight control, IPsec with RADIUS authentication is a good choice. For teams working mostly in the cloud, consider a cloud VPN provider like NordLayer or Perimeter 81.
3. Select a VPN Server Hosting Environment
You have a few options when it comes to where your VPN servers will live:
🖥️ On-Premises
- Total control
- May require hardware upgrades
- Higher maintenance
☁️ Cloud (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
- Elastic scalability
- Easy to replicate across regions
- Pay-as-you-go billing
✅ Recommended: Use a cloud-hosted VPN for faster deployment and simplified scalability. AWS Client VPN and Azure VPN Gateway are popular enterprise choices.
4. Install and Configure the VPN Server
If you’re going the self-hosted route, consider using OpenVPN, WireGuard, or StrongSwan for IPsec.
Installing OpenVPN (example):
- Spin up an Ubuntu server (either on-prem or in the cloud).
- Run an OpenVPN install script: bashCopyEdit
wget https://git.io/vpn -O openvpn-install.sh && bash openvpn-install.sh - Generate user profiles and distribute
.ovpnfiles.
You can find a full walkthrough on the DigitalOcean OpenVPN guide.
5. Implement Scalable Authentication and User Management
When scaling, user management becomes a challenge. Relying on static passwords is dangerous.
🔐 Recommended authentication layers:
- LDAP/Active Directory integration for centralized user control
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) with tools like Duo Security
- Certificate-based authentication for enterprise setups
This ensures secure access, even at scale.
6. Enable High Availability and Load Balancing
Scalability means redundancy. One VPN server won’t cut it when supporting hundreds of users.
✅ Use load balancers (like HAProxy or AWS Elastic Load Balancer) to distribute traffic. ✅ Deploy servers across multiple regions to minimize latency. ✅ Set up auto-scaling in your cloud infrastructure to spin up new servers during peak times.
Here’s a helpful guide from NGINX on VPN load balancing.
7. Deploy VPN Clients or Access Portals
Make it easy for users to connect.
Options:
- .ovpn profiles (for OpenVPN)
- Custom access portals (with SSL VPNs)
- Mobile and desktop apps (from commercial providers)
Don’t forget to document setup steps for your team, and offer basic troubleshooting tips.
📚 You can use GitHub Pages or Notion to create a simple internal help center.
8. Monitor and Audit Usage
Visibility is critical. Use monitoring tools like:
- Grafana + Prometheus for OpenVPN
- CloudWatch (AWS)
- Zabbix, Datadog, or Splunk for advanced alerting
Audit logs help with compliance and provide insight into usage trends and anomalies.
9. Secure Your VPN
Once deployed, it’s not “set and forget.” VPNs can become vulnerabilities if not properly secured.
Best practices:
- Block unused ports on your firewall
- Enforce MFA for all users
- Rotate certificates and credentials regularly
- Patch your VPN software frequently
- Implement split tunneling carefully—ensure only trusted devices bypass full-tunnel traffic
Here’s a great read on VPN security best practices from CISA.
💡 Consider Zero Trust As You Scale
VPNs work well, but they’re not the only option. As you scale, look into Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solutions, which grant access based on identity and context—not just network location.
Learn more about Zero Trust Architecture at NIST or right here in our own How-To Guide on Zero Trust Authority.
📈 Final Thoughts: Start Simple, Scale Smart
Deploying a VPN can feel daunting—but it doesn’t have to be. By planning ahead, using proven tools, and designing for scale, you’ll create a solution that’s secure, fast, and flexible enough to support your workforce now and into the future.
Remember:
- Start with your users and their needs
- Choose tech that matches your scale goals
- Monitor, maintain, and evolve over time
✅ Quick Recap Checklist
- Assess your needs and users
- Choose VPN type and hosting model
- Set up VPN server and security protocols
- Add scalable user authentication (LDAP, MFA)
- Enable monitoring, HA, and load balancing
- Keep software and credentials up to date
Want to go deeper? Check out these additional resources:
If you’d like help evaluating which VPN architecture is best for your organization, feel free to reach out! The journey to secure remote access starts with a solid plan—and you’re already on the right path. 🛡️🌍