As workers go home, VPN use jumps 65%

As coronavirus fears have intensified, many businesses have followed government advice to enable their employees to work from home. According to NordVPN Teams, this mass shift in work location has caused a surge in the use of business virtual private networks (VPNs).

Since March 11:

• The United States has experienced a 65.93% growth in the use of business VPNs. Business VPN usage in the Netherlands (240.49%), Canada (206.29%) and Austria (207.86%) has skyrocketed beyond 200%. Italy has had the most modest growth in business VPN usage at 10.57%.
• Working hours in the United States have increased by an average of three hours per day, from 8 to 11 hours. In countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria, daily working hours have risen by an average of one hour. Working hours in the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Canada have on average increased by two hours per a day.
• Mass remote working has contributed to a rise in desktop (94.09%) and mobile apps (0.39%) usage among Americans. Desktop usage in Austria has grown the most at 161.15%. Mobile app usage in Netherlands has soared to 44.09%. Belgium has seen a 16.67% decline in mobile app usage, though desktop usage has increased by 96.63%.
• Globally, NordVPN teams has seen a 165% spike in the use of business VPNs, and overall sales have increased by nearly 600%.