Overview
To secure network traffic between sites and users, organizations use virtual private networks (VPNs) to create end-to-end private network connections.
- A VPN is virtual in that it carries information within a private network, but that information is transported over a public network.
- A VPN is private in that the traffic is encrypted to keep the data confidential while it is transported across the public network.
The figure shows a collection of various types of VPNs managed by an enterprise’s main site. The tunnel enables remote sites and users to access main site’s network resources securely.
VPN Benefits
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost Savings | With the advent of cost-effective, high-bandwidth technologies, organizations can use VPNs to reduce their connectivity costs while simultaneously increasing remote connection bandwidth. |
| Security | VPNs provide the highest level of security available, by using advanced encryption and authentication protocols that protect data from unauthorized access. Such as Internet Protocol Security and Secure Sockets Layer VPNs. |
| Scalability | VPNs allow organizations to use the internet, making it easy to add new users without adding significant infrastructure. |
| Compatibility | VPNs can be implemented across a wide variety of WAN link options including all the popular broadband technologies. Remote workers can take advantage of these high-speed connections to gain secure access to their corporate networks. |