Book Image

SSL VPN : Understanding, evaluating and planning secure, web-based remote access

Book Image

SSL VPN : Understanding, evaluating and planning secure, web-based remote access

Overview of this book

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide remote workers with secure access to their company network via the internet by encrypting all data sent between the company network and the user?s machine (the client). Before SSL VPN this typically required the client machine to have special software installed, or at least be specially configured for the purpose. Clientless SSL VPNs avoid the need for client machines to be specially configured. Any computer with a Web browser can access SSL VPN systems. This has several benefits: Low admin costs, no remote configuration Users can safely access the company network from any machine, be that a public workstation, a palmtop or mobile phone By pass ISP restrictions on custom VPNs by using standard technologies SSL VPN is usually provided by a hardware appliance that forms part of the company network. These appliances act as gateways, providing internal services such as file shares, email servers, and applications in a web based format encrypted using SSL. Existing players and new entrants, such as Nokia, Netilla, Symantec, Whale Communications, and NetScreen technologies, are rushing our SSL VPN products to meet growing demand. This book provides a detailed technical and business introduction to SSL VPN. It explains how SSL VPN devices work along with their benefits and pitfalls. As well as covering SSL VPN technologies, the book also looks at how to authenticate and educate users ? a vital element in ensuring that the security of remote locations is not compromised. The book also looks at strategies for making legacy applications accessible via the SSL VPN.
Table of Contents (14 chapters)
SSL VPN
Credits
About the Authors
Introduction
A Review of TCP, IP, and Ports

Application-Specific SSL VPNs


Some organizations, especially smaller firms, may have business requirements to implement remote access to only a single application, and may not require the robustness of a full SSL VPN platform. Under such circumstances, the cost of implementing a true SSL VPN may be prohibitive and an ROI-analysis may reveal that purchasing an SSL VPN may be unwise.

To address such situations, several SSL VPN vendors offer low-end SSL VPNs that support only one or two applications. Such products typically sell for far less than full-version SSL VPN appliances, and can often be upgraded to full SSL VPN functionality at a later date if the customer so desires. It is likely that additional SSL VPN vendors will begin to offer such solutions and that the vendors already marketing such products will continue to offer specialized appliances for additional applications.