VPN Virtual Private Network What is VPN A
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VPN (Virtual Private Network)
What is VPN? • A VPN is a private communications network that utilises a public medium (such as the Internet) to connect remote users and/or devices together.
Impact of VPN (Corporate Industry) • VPN improves communication between employees, employers and clients/customers in that documents can be retrieved and submitted with ease. • Employees are able to work when are where they so choose; feasibility and flexibility in relation to completing tasks is increased dramatically. Improvements in productivity results. • Faster, efficient and more convenient communication amongst employees, employers and clients ultimately leads to greater efficiency in delivering services and the productive process of businesses.
Impact of VPN (Individual Employees) • Employees, if they so choose, can work from home (or any other location) where there is an internet connection and computer. • Greater feasibility and flexibility with working • Faster and easier access to company documents, files and customer details -> leads to greater efficiency and greater productivity per worker.
Before VPN • Use of expensive, dedicated, “leased” lines for connecting remote users/offices and devices. (Frame Relay and ATM) • Dial-up remote access servers • Manual retrieval of documents from company filing databases (physical copies of reports)
Present • Use of VPN Client interface • Relatively fast (retrieval and submission) • Mainly used by enterprise, corporations (large firms)
Future • Means of transferring extremely large files • Increased security • Improved performance and reliability • VOIP + Video Conferencing • Affordable for all companies (greater penetration amongst business) • More diverse (multi-platform technology)
Benefits associated with VPN • Increases efficiency and productivity • Secure • Timely • Readily accessible at any time (convenient) • Environmentally sound (reduced use of paper through electronic database) • Simple to use • Reliable • Creation of employment opportunities/positions
Drawbacks associated with VPN • Can cause employees to become distracted (if working from home/telecommuting) • Requires an internet connection, power supply and computer to access • Large initial and ongoing outlays (software, hardware, training, maintenance) • Position redundancy • Large timeframe needed for installation and testing of VPN network prior to activation.
