As the digital world becomes more complex, protecting privacy online is a priority. Learn how to adopt secure internet practices that will keep you safe.
SSL Portal VPNs rely on TLS technology implemented in most modern web browsers to encrypt traffic and provide a tunnel for remote access to network applications. This solution is ideal for providing access to defined parts of the corporate network on devices like laptops and mobile phones.
Encryption
SSL VPNs encrypt all data sent between a device and the server when connecting to the Internet. This prevents hackers from accessing sensitive information. It also makes it much harder for them to hijack a connection and redirect users to a fake website or steal data. This allows employees to work from home or the road while keeping their personal and business information private.
In addition to encryption, SSL tunnel VPN protects data from interception by securing the connection between a device and the Internet. They do this using TLS technology, already implemented on most modern web browsers. This means that there is no need to install any additional client software on devices, and it is easy for IT teams to deploy SSL VPNs for a variety of devices.
SSL VPNs help secure remote connections from computers, mobile phones, and tablets. However, they are only sometimes a good fit for other devices, such as sensors, wearables, and point-of-sale systems. This is because they require a web browser to function, so their use can expose these devices to more malware attacks.
For these types of devices, it might be more effective to implement a Zero Trust solution that provides better protection against sophisticated cyberattacks. This will help ensure employees have full access to all the necessary resources without leaving their devices vulnerable to various threats.
Invisibility
The SSL or Transport Layer Security protocol, used by SSL tunnel VPNs, creates a connection between a user’s computer and the VPN server that is encrypted end-to-end. This prevents third parties from intercepting and misusing sensitive data that may be transmitted between the device and the VPN server.
The VPN’s encryption also hides the computer’s local IP address, so no one can determine who is using what device or where they are getting internet access from. This is a significant factor in protecting privacy and security.
Unlike other tunneling VPN technologies that use the L2TP or IPsec protocols, an SSL portal VPN works via the TLS security protocol already implemented in many modern browsers. As a result, installing specialist client software is no longer necessary, and managing its deployment, support, and upkeep becomes more manageable. This also reduces potential vulnerabilities that hackers can leverage to infiltrate the organization.
SSL tunnel VPNs also allow for granular access control since they connect users to specific applications rather than the entire corporate network. This limits the scope of a hacker’s potential lateral movement within the company and helps administrators limit the impact of any security breaches.
While business is not unhackable, an effective VPN solution can significantly improve a company’s ability to protect its networks and the data that flows across them. In addition to an SSL tunnel VPN, businesses can take additional steps to bolster privacy, such as manually removing local logs from their computers and using HTTPS Everywhere to switch websites to HTTPS whenever possible automatically.
Ease of Deployment
With work-from-home orders driving tens of millions to convert their home computers into offices, businesses, and schools rely on solid and secure connections from any location on any device. SSL VPNs allow remote employees and students to access the necessary tools without the risks of unprotected internet browsing. They also give IT complete, granular control over data access.
SSL portal and SSL tunnel VPNs are two main types of SSL-based VPNs. An SSL tunnel VPN sends traffic through a virtual circuit, including a web browser and a VPN server. This allows the VPN to connect to various internet resources, including applications or networks that aren’t web-based. However, an SSL tunnel VPN requires a web browser to interact with and display active content, which may limit its use in specific environments.
An SSL portal VPN, on the other hand, operates at the application layer. This type of VPN creates a gateway on the VPN server and redirects users to a website or network service. An SSL portal VPN can also route traffic based on criteria like application risk profiles, user roles, device security posture, and more. This can limit a threat’s scope and prevent lateral movement across the business ecosystem. It can also make it easier to protect against new threats.
Granular Access Control
Telecommunication companies must ensure that their customers’ information is always protected. Financial severe repercussions from a data breach can include fines, customer compensation, and diminished organizational confidence. The damage to brand image can be long-lasting and even deter customers from switching providers.
Telecommunications companies must implement strong cybersecurity policies that are adaptable to changing applications and threats to avoid these risks. One way to do this is by implementing SSL tunnel VPNs with granular access control. This feature allows administrators to limit permissions based on user roles and device security posture.
The “least privilege” principle is upheld via granular access management, ensuring users are only given the minimal access required to finish their duties. This helps firms comply with regulatory obligations and reduces the potential harm that unauthorized individuals could cause.
SSL portal VPNs enable remote workers to connect to the corporate network securely using their web browsers. This provides ease of use, as it does not require the installation of additional software or devices. However, these VPNs often do not authenticate remote devices or conduct security health checks and may leave users open to malware infections. An alternative to this is a granular access control solution that utilizes a tunnel not secured with SSL to provide secure connectivity to network services that are not web-based. These can include proprietary networks or software not commonly used and cannot be accessed directly over the Internet.