Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Also known as:
- Remote Access VPN
- Site-to-Site VPN
- SSL/TLS VPN
What problem does it target?
VPN solutions address the risk of unauthorized access to corporate networks by providing encrypted tunnels for remote users and branch offices to securely connect to internal resources over public networks.
What does this solution do?
VPN platforms:
- Create encrypted tunnels between remote users and corporate networks
- Authenticate users before granting network access
- Provide secure access to internal applications and resources
- Monitor and log VPN connection activity
Who is this for?
- Organizations with remote workers needing secure network access
- Companies with multiple office locations requiring site-to-site connectivity
- Teams needing secure access to on-premises resources from external locations
Who might not benefit from this?
- Organizations with cloud-only infrastructure
- Teams with simple, single-location setups
- Companies already using zero-trust network access (ZTNA)
Pitfalls and remedies
| Pitfall | Remedy |
|---|---|
| VPN concentrator bottlenecks | Scale VPN infrastructure and implement load balancing |
| Inconsistent user experience | Standardize VPN clients and provide user training |
| Limited visibility into user activity | Implement VPN logging and monitoring solutions |
Sample products
- Cisco AnyConnect
- Palo Alto GlobalProtect
- Fortinet FortiClient
- OpenVPN
- Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway