Your VPN Is Private, But Is It Really Secure?

For years, enterprises have made their networks more secure by making them private. A virtual private network (VPN) has been the standard for enabling information transfer between established endpoints. However, as the need to support remote and mobile users has become the new normal, maintaining a secure network — and managing access to that network — has become increasingly complex.

The next generation of private networking, SSL VPN, is addressing the warring challenges of access and security by creating a solution that allows web-browser-based access. And our partner, Pulse Secure, is addressing the complexity of managing this environment.

Access complexity: It’s gotten out of control

Today’s users are no longer accessing data and applications housed in one location — and they’re no longer accessing the network only from company-owned and -approved devices. Enterprises want and need users and partners to be able to access applications, data, and resources from anywhere, using any device, without hampering their productivity.

But they still need those interactions to be secure. More than secure — ironclad!

A VPN enables information transfer between specified endpoints; SSL VPN allows users to connect to the company’s VPN devices through a Web browser. That means the device the user is connecting with doesn’t matter. The traffic between the Web browser and the company’s VPN devices is encrypted with the secure sockets layer (SSL) protocol.

Sounds like a simple solution, yes? It should be, but IT teams are still challenged with managing passwords and authentication. They have to deal with questions such as:

• How do I create an authentication protocol that isn’t cumbersome for users?
• Do users have to have separate passwords and login credentials for different devices (e.g., one for a smartphone, another for a tablet)?
• How can I keep up with requirements for all the different operating systems and device platforms that users bring to work?
• How do I ensure secure offboarding when an employee leaves?
• How do I make sure my solution can scale as our user base grows?

If your team is trying to juggle all these challenges themselves, they may be facing an uphill battle.

“Security is about enabling access and not about enforcing control.”
This simple and illuminating comment comes from Sudhakar Ramakrishna, who took over as CEO of our partner company, Pulse Secure, this summer.

In all they do, Ramakrishna and Pulse Secure emphasize that security is essential, but it shouldn’t be a pain point for anyone involved. Users should have a seamless experience that enables them to access the tools and information they need to do their jobs. IT teams should be able to support that access from a central management system that automates and simplifies the environment — instead of making it more complicated.

The solutions that Pulse Secure provides keep that concept front and center. It’s not about making things better for IT or users. It’s about making the entire experience better for both so that the whole company benefits.

If you’re interested in learning more about this approach to SSL VPN, Pulse Secure is hosting a webinar with Forrester Research called “Is Your Network Ready for Next Generation Secure Access?” It will take place on August 20 at 11:00AM PDT/2:00PM EDT. Check it out on the Pulse Secure website here.

What’s your greatest IT or security challenge? The experts at Atrion have the experience and partner connections to create the right solution for your company. Contact Atrion at 908-231-7777 or info@atrioncomm.com, or visit us online.