Talking Networks

VPN - Virtual Private Networks

The Internet is an integral part of business communications today. Businesses use it as an inexpensive extension of their local- or wide-area networks. A local connection to an Internet service provider (ISP) enables far-reaching communications for e-commerce, mobile users, sales personnel, and global business partners. The Internet is cheap, easily enabled, stable, resilient, and omnipresent. But it is not secure, at least not in its native state.

As a business user, you want to shield your communications from misdirection, misappropriation, and misuse, especially if you are discussing trade secrets, personnel issues, or financial information. Ideally, you want to be able to establish a pipeline through the Internet cloud that goes from point A to point B and shields your private data from prying eyes along the way.

TCP/IP is the foundation of the Internet and provides little in the way of security. That is where Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) come to the rescue. This clever concept can provide the security that you need with a variety of features.

Virtual Private Networks can provide security through point-to-point encryption of data, data integrity by ensuring that the data packets have not been altered en route, and authentication to ensure that the packets are coming from the right source.

Virtual Private Networks enable an efficient and cost-effective method for secure communications across the Internet's public infrastructure. Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) is the Cisco protocol of choice for establishing Virtual Private Networks.

A well-designed Virtual Private Network can greatly benefit a company.

For example a VPN can:

• Extend geographic connectivity
• Improve security
• Reduce operational costs versus traditional WAN
• Reduce transit time and transportation costs for remote users
• Improve productivity
• Simplify network topology
• Provide global networking opportunities
• Provide telecommuter support
• Provide broadband networking compatibility
• Provide faster ROI (return on investment) than traditional WAN

What features are needed in a well-designed Virtual Private Network?

The VPN should incorporate:

• Security
• Reliability
• Scalability
• Network management
• Policy management

Talking Networks works in partnership to provide security solutions and services from the following leading security vendors:

• Barracuda Networks VPN Solutions
• Billion VPN Solutions
• Cisco Systems VPN solutions including ISR Routers and ASAs
• Checkpoint
• Cyberoam VPN Solutions
• Netgear VPN Solutions
• SonicWall VPN Solutions

Please call today with your requirement to qualify for a 14 or 30 day evaluations on vendor products and solutions.