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

Chapter 6. Educating the User

SSL VPNs provide a mechanism to communicate securely between two points with an insecure network in between them. Yet, there is no technology on the planet that will totally protect computing operations on its own. End users need to be security-conscious if the security technology is to do its job.

Think about your own organization. Can someone call a user on the phone, profess that he or she is from the 'help desk' and ask for a username and password? In most cases, such a call will not happen, but if it was made, would anyone in your organization actually give their credentials to the caller? If they did, the entire expensive authentication infrastructure you have in place would be undermined.

A combination of solid technology and an educated end user is necessary for security. We have already covered the technology used to secure SSL VPNs; now we address end-user training.

The next section discusses formal training plans; people from organizations that already...