How Does a Business VPN Work?
A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between two points. Depending on the type of VPN in use, the VPN endpoints may be dedicated VPN servers or software running on a remote user’s computer. A VPN can be set up using a pre-shared private key or using asymmetric cryptography to securely generate a shared secret key.
Once the connection is established, the endpoint at each end of the connection will encrypt all traffic flowing over the VPN tunnel and send it over the untrusted network to its intended recipient. At the other end, the other VPN endpoint will use the shared secret key to decrypt the traffic.
By encrypting the traffic flowing over the VPN tunnel, the VPN software protects it against potential eavesdroppers. Without knowledge of the shared secret key, an attacker who intercepts the VPN traffic en route to its destination doesn’t have the ability to decrypt and read it or modify it without being detected.
The Different Types of Business VPNs
A VPN is a tool that provides a secure, encrypted connection between two points. This has a couple of different applications in a business context.
Remote Access VPN
Remote secure access VPNs create a secure connection between a remote worker and the corporate network. Typically, one end of this connection is software running on the remote worker’s computer, while the other end is hosted by a VPN endpoint on the corporate network.
The goal of a remote access VPN is to establish a temporary connection between the remote user and the corporate network. This allows the user to securely access corporate applications, data, and other resources while connecting over an untrusted network, such as the public Internet.
Site-to-Site VPN
A site-to-site VPN uses similar technology but is designed to create a permanent connection between two geographically distributed networks. A VPN endpoint on each network will receive traffic intended for the other network, encrypt it, and transmit it to the VPN endpoint at the other end. This VPN endpoint will decrypt the traffic and forward it on to its intended destination.
The goal of a site-to-site VPN is to enable secure connectivity between corporate networks. All traffic flowing over the VPN tunnel is encrypted, and systems communicating between the two networks can treat them as part of a single, physical network.
Advantages of a Business VPN
Business VPNs provide several advantages to an organization, including:
- Secure Remote Access: Remote access VPNs enable remote users to securely access corporate IT resources from anywhere. This supports remote work arrangements while reducing the exposure of corporate resources to cyberattacks.
- Eavesdropping Prevention: Business VPNs encrypt all traffic traveling over the VPN tunnel. This protects against eavesdropping and potential malicious modification of a user’s network traffic.
- Network Visibility and Security: Business VPNs enable organizations to route all network traffic through the headquarters network. This allows the company to achieve greater network visibility and apply security monitoring and policy enforcement.
Limitations and Security Risks of VPN
VPNs offer the ability to create a secure, encrypted connection across an untrusted network. However, many organizations seek VPN alternatives due to VPNs’ limitations, which include:
- Inefficient Routing: VPNs are point-to-point solutions designed to connect two specific endpoints. As a result, corporate VPNs often are designed to route all traffic through the headquarters network, creating inefficient routing and network latency for remote users accessing cloud-based services.
- Degraded Visibility: As a point-to-point solution, a different VPN tunnel is needed to connect each remote user and network to the corporate network. This collection of independent VPN tunnels increases the difficulty of monitoring the corporate network.
- Lack of Integrated Security: VPNs provide an encrypted connection between two points, but they perform no inspection of the traffic flowing over them. As a result, VPNs may carry malicious traffic across the corporate WAN.
- Limited Scalability: The point-to-point nature of VPNs also limits their scalability. Often, all traffic is routed through the headquarters network, which may struggle to keep up with growing demand.
Business VPN vs. Personal VPN
Business and personal VPNs use similar technology. In fact, a personal VPN is essentially a remote access VPN with a different remote endpoint.
With a personal VPN, the user has a secure, encrypted connection to the servers of the VPN provider. This connection provides protection against eavesdropping by ISPs or on public Wi-Fi. It also can be used to bypass geographic restrictions since the user’s traffic appears to originate from the VPN provider.
Business VPN with Quantum VPN / Harmony SASE
Business VPNs provide companies with the tools that they need to support modern business practices. Remote access VPNs support the remote workforce, while site-to-site VPNs securely link distributed sites and cloud infrastructure. Check Point Quantum VPN and Harmony SASE offer remote secure access VPNs with enterprise-grade security. To learn more, request a free trial today.
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