WHAT IS A VPN?
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allow organizations to securely extend their LANs over the Internet by encrypting the data traffic. VPNs create the ideal infrastructure for providing a secure method for the exchange of data and network resources with employees, partners, suppliers and business associates.

THE INTERNET: A DANGEROUS PLACE FOR PRIVATE DATA
Internet-based remote access presents challenges in protecting the confidentiality and integrity of essential business information as it travels over the public Internet. Hackers using packet sniffers can capture the data as it passes over the Internet and convert it into a readable format or gain entry into your network. Exposure to these security risks means unauthorized users can initiate fraudulent transactions, as well as steal, alter, or destroy confidential information, exposing your organization, customers, vendors, and business partners to financial losses.

To ensure data security on the Internet, there are three requirements:

1. Remote user identity authentication
2. Secure private transmission of data (no unauthorized listeners)
3. Verification of unadulterated data transmission

HOW VPN WORKS
A VPN is an umbrella term that refers to all the technologies enabling secure communications over the public Internet. VPN uses “tunnels” between two gateways to protect private data as it travels over the Internet. Tunneling is the process of encapsulating private IP packets into a public IPSec packet. Once the authentication and authorization between the VPN gateways is established, the tunnel is created and the users can send and receive data across the Internet.

A VPN tunnel establishes a secure connection between two sites over the Internet.