“If you spend more on coffee than on IT security, you will be hacked. What’s more, you deserve to be hacked” – Richard Clarke
When it comes to digital anonymity and security, vigilance is the key. In fact, 52% of companies fell victim of successful cyber attacks in 2016 alone.
Now, both VPNs and software-defined perimeters are solid options – but what are they exactly, and what do they do?
Here we’re going to look at VPN networks and software-defined perimeters and their role in today’s fast-paced hyper-connected digital world.
Without further ado, let’s delve in.
VPNs
A VPN, or virtual private network, is a development that creates a secure and encrypted connection over a public network, like the Internet, by building a closed system on top of it.
This closed system or private network is exclusive to the owner, and only he or she can use it. A VPN Client uses specific TCP/IP-based protocols to make a virtual call to a virtual port on a remote access VPN server. This call is then authenticated, and the necessary data is transferred.
What are VPNs used for?
Primarily, a VPN is used to secure your computer or device’s internet connection to ensure that all of the data you’re sending -and receiving – is encrypted and stowed away from prying eyes. A VPN is safe, it’s secure, and it’s important.
VPNS: the benefits
Now you know more about VPNs and why they exist, let’s look at the key benefits of a virtual private network:
- Choosing the best VPN for you and your needs can save you money by offloading support costs and reducing long-distance telephone charges.
- VPNs are scalable: if your network grows, it will be simple and cost-effective to expand your reach as it taps into public lines.
- VPNs are easy to setup and maintain.
Software-Defined Perimeters
Essentially, a software-defined perimeter (SDP) is a robust system security model that creates one-to-one network connections between the user and the resources or sites they access. Everything in an SDP is invisible including the system itself.
Also known as a Black Cloud, the SDP has evolved with assistance and Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) under the Global Information Grid (GIG) and has become all the more prevalent in recent times.
What is are software-defined perimeters used for?
Like a VPN, an SDP is used with network safety and security in mind. With the rise of cloud-based services in the modern world, SDPs are increasingly used to prevent the threat of network attacks against application infrastructure from potential hackers.
SDPs: the benefits
Here are the main benefits of using a security-defined perimeter network:
- On the whole, SDPs are identity-centric rather than IP-based when it comes to gaining access control.
- There is a minimal amount of firewall and security group rules to maintain with an SDP.
- The SDP is completely invisible unless specific user access is granted.
Ensuring your safety, security and privacy while working online is absolutely essential in this day and age. While it may be difficult to decide on which technology to opt for, we hope this information has helped you arrive at a solid decision.
For those living solely in the cloud, SDPs could prove to be an effective option, but if you’re looking for something scalable, flexible and easy to adopt, a VPN is most likely the best choice for you.
We wish you the best of luck and for more security-based pearls of wisdom, read the 7 key steps to save your company from a cyber breach.
