NCSC 2024 VPN Guidance: 7 Steps UK SMEs Must Follow for Secure Remote Access

[Image: Professional IT consultant reviewing VPN dashboard on dual monitors in a modern Dundee office]

Remote and hybrid working is now standard for UK SMEs, but many still rely on outdated VPN setups. The NCSC released fresh guidance in early 2024 on choosing and configuring VPNs for business use. Ignoring it risks compliance gaps and weak security.

At Inmotion IT we help Dundee and wider UK businesses align with NCSC best practice every week. Here’s a clear, actionable breakdown of what the latest recommendations mean for you.

Why VPN Guidance Matters More Than Ever in 2024

The NCSC’s “Using Virtual Private Networks” guidance emphasises that VPNs remain essential for protecting data in transit. However, poor configuration or outdated protocols can create single points of failure.

NIST SP 800-77 Rev 1 echoes the same message: strong authentication and continuous monitoring are non-negotiable. For SMEs without dedicated security teams, this is where managed IT services deliver real value.

Step 1: Audit Your Current VPN Inventory

Start by listing every VPN solution in use across laptops, mobiles and cloud services. Many SMEs discover shadow IT VPNs installed by staff during the pandemic.

Create a simple spreadsheet with:

Device type and owner
VPN client version
Protocol in use (WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN etc.)
Last security review date

[Image: Simple spreadsheet template showing VPN audit columns]

Step 2: Deprecate Legacy Protocols

NCSC explicitly advises moving away from PPTP and older L2TP/IPSec configurations. These protocols have known weaknesses.

Recommended protocol order for most UK SMEs:

WireGuard (where supported)
IKEv2/IPSec
OpenVPN with AES-256

Managed service providers can push these updates centrally, removing the burden from busy business owners.

Step 3: Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication Everywhere

The NCSC states that VPN access must never rely on passwords alone. MFA should be mandatory for all remote connections.

Options that work well for SMEs include:

Microsoft Authenticator or Google Authenticator
Hardware keys for finance teams handling sensitive data
Conditional access policies that check device health before granting VPN access

Step 4: Segment Your Network Traffic

Not every user needs full access to every server. NCSC recommends splitting tunnels or using multiple VPN profiles so marketing staff cannot reach finance systems by default.

This principle of least privilege reduces blast radius if credentials are compromised.

Step 5: Monitor and Log All VPN Sessions

Central logging is now expected. NCSC guidance points to collecting:

Connection times and durations
Source IP addresses
Authentication successes and failures
Data volumes transferred

Many managed IT platforms include SIEM-lite dashboards that flag unusual patterns automatically.

[Image: Clean dashboard showing VPN connection logs with green and amber status indicators]

Step 6: Plan for VPN Replacement or Augmentation

The NCSC acknowledges that traditional VPNs are not always the best long-term solution. Technologies such as ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) are gaining traction for cloud-heavy SMEs.

A hybrid approach often works best: keep a lightweight VPN for legacy on-premise systems while moving new applications behind modern identity-aware access.

Step 7: Schedule Regular Independent Reviews

NCSC recommends reviewing VPN configurations at least annually or after any significant change (new cloud provider, office move, staff growth).

Partnering with a local managed service provider means these reviews happen automatically as part of your service agreement.

How Managed IT Services Make NCSC Compliance Straightforward

Implementing the seven steps above requires ongoing expertise. Most UK SMEs find it more cost-effective to outsource than to hire full-time security staff.

A good managed service includes:

24/7 monitoring of VPN gateways
Automated patching of clients
Quarterly access reviews
Incident response playbooks aligned with NCSC advice

Real-World Example: Dundee Marketing Agency

One of our clients, a 28-person agency, discovered three different VPN solutions after an audit. Two were using deprecated protocols. Within four weeks we consolidated everything onto a single WireGuard deployment with MFA and role-based access. The finance director now receives a monthly access report automatically.

Next Steps for Your Business

Download the latest NCSC VPN guidance from the official site
Run the seven-step audit above this week
Book a 30-minute call with our team to discuss your findings

Secure remote access is no longer optional. Following NCSC recommendations protects client data, supports compliance, and gives you peace of mind.

Need help translating the guidance into practical action? We’re ready when you are.