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

Appliances Vs. Software


In today's market, security products such as SSL VPNs are often sold as appliances, a term used to connote 'black boxes' that function without requiring administrators to understand their internal workings. In theory, appliances thereby reduce the overhead costs of installing, configuring, and maintaining an IT system.

Although some isolation from the internal technology certainly exists when it comes to SSL VPN offerings in appliance form, most appliances consist of standard computers running SSL VPN software on (a hardened version of) a standard operating system. Therefore—from a security standpoint—there is no intrinsic advantage in implementing an SSL VPN with an appliance-based form factor over an SSL VPN product sold as software that can be installed on servers of the purchaser's choice.

Note

Other components may be present in SSL VPN appliances such as SSL Accelerators, Air Gap Switches, etc. These topics are covered in Chapter 4 and 5 of this book.

Practically...