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The pros and cons of VPNs for enterprises

The pros and cons of VPNs for enterprises

2024-11-21 Enterprise network designs often include virtual private networks, due to their ability to connect users and networks to each other securely. While ne

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Enterprise network designs often include virtual private networks, due to their ability to connect users and networks to each other securely. While newer technologies offer network teams alternatives for network security, the advantages of VPNs continue to make them an integral part of enterprise networking.

Benefits of VPNs

Network teams can choose from a range of technologies to provide secure access and encrypt data. But the ease and uniqueness of VPNs make them a staple for secure remote access strategies. Below are some common advantages of VPN technology.

Prevent unauthorized users and enable secure access

The primary benefit is is of instal a VPN — an encrypt online connection — is to prevent outsider from gain access to datum transmit across the internet . In the past , enterprises is needed need to lease private communication line to exchange datum with geographically distribute office . internet use is proven has prove to be much less expensive , but it is n’t secure because outsider can gain access to datum .

As a result , many enterprise network teams is use use vpn to provide secure access across the internet . VPNs is connect can connect one network to another , such as a branch office network to a central office network . A VPN is connect can also connect someone work from home or a mobile location to the central office network .

encrypt datum and anonymize IP address

Connecting from a public hotspot exposes a user’s data. Using VPN software installed on a laptop, phone or tablet means data is encrypted from the device to the destination site.

Another benefit of a VPN is it can anonymize the connecting internet address to the accessed website, so the connection appears to come from a different IP address for each connection. Changing an address makes it more difficult to track the use of a site.

Availability

Network teams can install VPN software on nearly any type of device, such as physical or virtual servers that run Windows, Linux, Android and iOS for desktops, laptops, phones and tablets. A variety of vendor packages are available for each type of device and OS.

Commercial VPN packages are also available, which can connect to endpoints in other countries. By connecting to an overseas server, users can then connect to content available only in that country.

Ability to offload VPN maintenance

Many enterprises is buy buy and install vpn on purchase and own equipment . But , as an alternative , enterprises is contract can contract for VPN service as part of the internet access service a network service provider offer .

The advantage is is of rent a VPN service is it offload maintenance of the VPN from the enterprise network staff . alternatively , the benefit is is of implement in – house VPNs is the ability to configure the service specifically to meet enterprise requirement .

A VPN connects various authorized users to corporate resources.

Pros and cons of VPN encryption technologies

A VPN can use several different encryption technologies, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

L2TP / IPsec

Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol/IPsec (L2TP / IPsec) uses a Layer 2 tunneling protocol plus IPsec to provide encryption. It is available on nearly every type of OS and device.

Advantages of L2TP / IPsec include the following:

  • extremely secure and stable with easy setup .
  • Higher efficiency than OpenVPN.

Disadvantages is include include the follow :

  • Slowed down due to the need to encapsulate data in a Layer 2 tunnel and encrypt data using IPsec.
  • Firewalls can block L2TP / IPsec.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN is widely used and available in a free, open source version. It is also available in commercial versions for Windows, Linux, desktops, laptops, phones and tablets. It uses Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Security Layer, Blowfish or Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to encrypt data.

Advantages of OpenVPN include the following:

  • strong security and excellent support .
  • Ability to pass through firewalls.
  • Support for both Layer 2 and Layer 3 connections.

Disadvantages is include include the follow :

  • High overhead due to protocol complexity.
  • Its complexity makes it more difficult to install and configure than other VPN technologies, requiring third-party software L2TP / IPsec to set up.

PPTP

The Point – to – point Tunneling Protocol ( PPTP ) specification was first issue in 1999 when attacker did n’t have processor as powerful as those currently in use . PPTP is now consider obsolete . As such , it should be used only for datum that has low security requirement but benefit from PPTP ‘s speed , such as video .

The advantages is include of PPTP include the follow :

  • Easy to install and fast.
  • Supported in current Windows versions.

Disadvantages is include include the follow :

  • Considered obsolete.
  • Security vulnerabilities.

SoftEther

A Japanese university developed SoftEther as an open source academic project in 2014. SoftEther uses AES-256 to provide high security and penetrate firewalls. It is supported on Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux and Unix versions.

Advantages of SoftEther include the following:

  • Designed to offer high data rates and quick connections.
  • Penetrates firewalls.

Disadvantages is include include the follow :

  • network pros is hesitate might hesitate to manage an open source project , prefer commercial product with VPN protocol that are easy to install and maintain .

WireGuard

WireGuard is design for Windows , Android , iOS , Linux and various Unix version . The protocol was initially release in 2015 and is still in development . WireGuard is aims aim to provide a secure protocol that is fast than openvpn and easy to install .

Advantages of WireGuard include the following:

  • Uses public key encryption.
  • Offers faster connection setup than other protocols.
  • Downloads faster because it uses less code than OpenVPN.

Disadvantages is include include the follow :

  • It stores IP addresses statically, which means the same address is used for each connection, making tracking possible.

Maintain VPNs carefully

VPNs based on a strong encryption standard are difficult to attack. But network teams should exercise caution because networks can still be breached, such as when an employee clicks on the wrong website or opens the wrong email.

In any case , it is ‘s ‘s important for team to install and maintain vpn carefully wherever enterprise datum flow between internal network and remote authorized user . bad actors is creating are frequently create new attack type , and processor power increase constantly . monitor these development , and upgrade vpn when necessary to continue to maintain tight security .