Secure VPN Alternatives

Today, VPNs are commonplace in businesses of all sizes, no longer limited to large enterprises. They're popular because they let users—typically mobile and home workers—access internal network resources that aren't available to users outside the firewall. VPNs tunnel through that firewall, effectively extending your corporate network to remote users. However, VPNs have a downside. Unless you take strict precautions, malicious users can exploit a VPN to gain access to your corporate network. The VPN can also be a gateway through which a worm or other malware can enter and wreak havoc behind your firewall.

VPNs will always have a place in some companies, but many businesses can do away with them. In this article, I describe two scenarios that VPNs are traditionally used for—corporate email and internal Web sites—then talk about effective alternatives.

Corporate Email
Email was once the killer application for businesses. Although its status might have diminished, it's probably still the primary justification for implementing a VPN. Typically, remote users dial in to a special toll-free number provided by a VPN supplier or ISP, supply special credentials, then connect to a VPN gateway, supplying their usual username and password. Once connected, users can launch their email client (e.g., Microsoft Outlook) and access their email server. This scenario is a bit cumbersome, and fortunately, there are now alternatives to consider. . . .