Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, many companies have started implementing
telework
and remote work. However, one of the things that concerns corporate personnel and managers is the Internet and communications environment. The VPN connection explained in this article is one way to solve these problems, as it can encrypt communication while using a general network line.
In this article, we will provide an overview of VPN connections, as well as explain how VPN connections work and how they differ from leased lines. We will also explain the advantages and disadvantages of VPN connections, so please refer to them.
What is a VPN connection?
First, let’s start with an overview of VPN connections. VPN connection is an abbreviation for “Virtual Private Network” and refers to a virtual private network. A VPN connection is characterized by the ability to encrypt communication while using a general network line.
For example, the free Wi-Fi that is usually connected at cafes and family restaurants does not use a VPN connection, so there is a risk that your data could be intercepted by an external third party. That’s why when you connect to free Wi-Fi at a cafe or family restaurant, you receive a warning that your data may be viewed by a third party.
However, since a VPN connection uses a virtual private network, security risks can be reduced compared to free Wi-Fi. Of course, security risks cannot be eliminated, but with the expansion of remote work, opportunities for access from outside the office are increasing, so many companies are introducing VPN connections to take security measures.
Other security measures include WAF, firewall, and IPS.
How a VPN connection works
Earlier, I gave an overview of VPN connections. A VPN connection works by installing a router at the location you want to connect to, such as an office, head office, or branch office, and communicating using a public line. The feature is that it can also perform encryption and communication control to prevent security information and confidential information from being intercepted by external third parties.
Additionally, VPN connections use something called “tunneling” to further reduce security risks. Tunneling is a method of creating another virtual space between the sender and receiver of specific data.
Information that should and should not pass through the virtual space can be set in advance, and if a third party outside the company passes through the tunnel, it is possible to approve or disapprove the information.
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What is the difference between a VPN connection and a leased line?
There is also a leased line, which is a mechanism that often appears similar to VPN connections. However, many people may not know the difference between a VPN connection and a leased line. The VPN connection has been explained so far, but a leased line is a method that allows you to connect only in a one-to-one relationship.
In the case of a VPN connection, if routers are installed in three locations, communication at three locations (bases) is possible. However, since a dedicated line is only one-to-one, it can be said that security risks can be further reduced. However, the cost of using it is also high, so you need to be careful when implementing it.
Types of VPN connections
When it comes to VPN connections, there are multiple types.
- internet vpn
- IP-VPN
- Entry VPN
- wide area ethernet
Here, we will explain each type of VPN connection in turn.
internet vpn
Internet VPN is a method of connecting to a VPN using your existing Internet line. Since there is no need to prepare a new line, initial costs and running costs can be reduced. However, because it uses existing lines, it lacks stability in communication, so if a large number of people use it, it may require a lot of money to stabilize communication.
IP-VPN
IP-VPN is a virtual private line called a “closed network” and is provided by carrier mobile companies and major communication companies. Although it includes the word leased line, there is no problem in recognizing it as a type of VPN connection. IP-VPN is provided independently by major telecommunications companies, so it can only be used if you have a contract with a major telecommunications company.
Entry VPN
Entry VPN is a method of connecting using a closed network and optical line. It is more secure than the Internet VPN mentioned above, and allows communication to a closed network without going through the Internet.
wide area ethernet
Wide Area Ethernet is a method that allows you to create your own network. The biggest advantage is that it can be configured to suit the number of people in your company and the number of people accessing the information. However, the cost is often higher than the other three methods mentioned above, and the range of communication tends to be narrower.
Benefits of VPN connection
So far, we have explained the types of VPN connections. From here, we will explain the following three benefits of a VPN connection.
- Communication encryption
- Can communicate between bases
- A specific network can be accessed from outside
Let’s look at each in turn.
Communication encryption
The biggest advantage of a VPN connection is that it encrypts communication. Since third parties basically cannot access the internal environment, the security risk of confidential information leaking to the outside can be reduced. It is also equipped with tunneling, a mechanism to create a secure communication path, which has the advantage of making communication more secure.
Can communicate between bases
In the case of leased lines, communication is limited to one-to-one, so it is not suitable for communication between bases. However, a VPN connection allows communication between multiple locations, such as between the head office, branch offices, and personnel working remotely.
Additionally, when communicating between locations, initial costs and running costs tend to be high. However, since a VPN connection uses your existing internet line, it has the advantage of minimizing these costs.
A specific network can be accessed from outside
If your company has remote or telecommuting capabilities, your employees may need to access company information from home. With a VPN connection, you can easily access a specific network from outside, which has the advantage of making remote work easier. Another attractive point is that it can be accessed not only from a specific device such as a PC, but also from a mobile device.
Disadvantages of VPN connection
Earlier, I explained the benefits of a VPN connection. However, VPN connections are not without disadvantages. Here, we will explain the disadvantages of the following two VPN connections.
- Information leak risk
- Decrease in communication speed
Let’s look at each in turn.
Information leak risk
As mentioned earlier, a VPN connection does not have zero security risks. The security level varies depending on the type of VPN connection, and if you do not choose the type that is suitable for your company’s environment, there is a risk of information leakage.
Also, if you make a mistake in the settings of your VPN connection, the risk of information leakage naturally increases. Therefore, when setting up a VPN connection, it is necessary to take measures to reduce the risk of information leakage, such as collaborating with external experts who have IT literacy.
On top of that, if you want to reduce security risks to as close to zero as possible, you will need to consider other connection methods.
Decrease in communication speed
Among VPN connections, Internet VPNs in particular have the disadvantage that communication speeds tend to drop. This is because public lines are used, and as the number of people using the line increases, the load on the line increases.
Although the communication speed does not decrease depending on the time of day, the disadvantage of lower communication speed is definitely greater when compared to other communication methods. Therefore, when downloading materials or videos with large amounts of data, it is necessary to do so at times when the line is not busy.
Also, if you want to stabilize the communication speed, installing an expensive router is one way.
summary
In this article, we have explained about VPN connections. A VPN connection is a method of communicating in a virtual space using an Internet line. Compared to dedicated lines that can only connect one-to-one, it is also possible to communicate between multiple locations, and companies that encourage remote work or telework can say that it is highly worth considering introducing it. Sho.
It is also important to collaborate with outside experts, as there is no room for error when setting up a VPN connection. First of all, why not consider looking for a router that suits your company’s situation or working with a specialist?