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

SSL VPN Products for Small, Medium, and Large Organizations


One development already in progress is market segregation of SSL VPN appliances and software by the size of the organizations that each particular offering can support. Some SSL VPN appliances have performed better in large enterprise environments, others have excelled in smaller companies. As would be expected, the vendors that make such products have concentrated feature development and optimization around their customer base. As such, products that may have initially been similar in nature have evolved differently and grown apart over time.

In fact, some vendors that started with single 'one-size-fits-all' offerings have even released multiple appliances, with one model intended for sale to smaller firms and another version geared towards larger enterprises. Having a suite of offerings may be advantageous; firms with such a portfolio can conquer a larger segment of the remote-access market. At the same time, however, such an...