Research thrives on data. It thrives on international collaboration, sensitive communication channels, highly specialized databases and internal networks that are often only accessible to defined user groups. At the same time, scientists are more exposed than ever to attacks aimed specifically at research institutions, laboratories and universities. Cybercrime is no longer a fringe issue, but a daily reality in scientific operations. This is precisely why VPNs are becoming indispensable in everyday research.
Increasing attacks on research institutions
Universities, clinical research centers and technical institutes are among the most attractive targets for hackers. The reasons are obvious: research produces knowledge that is valuable. Companies, states and criminal groups try to access intellectual property, manipulate research data or spy on internal communication channels. Successful attacks can distort experiments, jeopardize patent applications or set entire branches of research back by months.
A VPN does not protect against all risks, but it closes a key attack vector: the direct identification of researchers and their devices. By encrypting all data paths and hiding the real IP address, it becomes significantly more difficult to target attacks.
Protection of sensitive data in daily work
Sensitive data is constantly generated in everyday research. These can be medical measurements, clinical case studies, genetic analyses, environmental measurements or unpublished research results. All this information must be protected during transmission, whether it is sent to colleagues, to central servers or to foreign archives.
A VPN ensures end-to-end encryption of the connection. This means that neither public WiFi providers nor potential attackers can detect what data is being transmitted. This protection is particularly important for researchers who travel frequently, attend conferences or commute between different locations. In such situations, they rely on external networks that are often insecure and easily vulnerable.
International cooperation without security risks
Modern research is international. Projects are coordinated across national borders, peer review processes take place digitally, and many research databases can only be used with specific access. Without a secure means of communication, the risk of data being accessed or manipulated increases.
VPNs create a kind of “protected tunnel” between researchers and their international partners. They enable access to internal networks without being physically there, while protecting the identity of everyone involved. This is particularly crucial in politically sensitive research fields such as energy technology, medicine, artificial intelligence or environmental policy.
Access to scientific resources worldwide
An often underestimated advantage of a VPN is free access to scientific resources. Many publication platforms, archives and research databases are geographically restricted or only accessible via university networks. Researchers who are traveling or working from home quickly lose access.
With a VPN, scientists can access their institution’s resources regardless of location. This not only makes work flow easier, but also prevents risky workarounds via insecure proxy services or open networks.
But be careful: When it comes to VPNs, you also have to think carefully before accessing them indiscriminately. It makes sense to look at the reviews in advance so as not to experience any negative surprises. Accordingly, many Germans end up with secure providers who operate within the framework of EU regulations, such as ExpressVPN.
Security in hybrid and remote research models
Everyday research has changed. Many teams work hybrid, sharing data in cloud storage and accessing laboratory computers or simulation tools via remote connections. Each of these digital interfaces can pose a potential risk if the connection is unprotected.
A VPN minimizes these risks by encrypting all communications. This affects logs, file transfers, remote desktop sessions and even internal chat tools. The use of a VPN becomes a basic building block of every secure digital research environment.
Protection of personal and professional identity
Researchers appear publicly: conferences, podcasts, social media, publications. This visibility increases the risk of targeted attacks on personal accounts and professional identities. Attackers use social engineering to steal credentials or compromise research groups.
A VPN does not directly protect against social engineering, but it does make it much more difficult to technically track online activity. This makes it uninteresting for many attackers, some of them Attack researchersbecause no usable information can be derived from the IP-based identity.
Conclusion: VPNs are becoming the basic equipment of modern research
Digital security has long been a topic that primarily concerns IT departments. Today it affects every person who conducts research or manages data. A VPN offers a reliable, easy-to-implement option for securing your own day-to-day research work. It protects data, enables international exchange and reduces risks in increasingly digital work environments.
If you want to protect research results and work flexibly at the same time, you should see a VPN not as an addition, but as an integral part of the digital infrastructure. With solutions like ExpressVPN, this protection can be set up easily and across platforms.
12/11/2025