- VPNs allow employees to access information from remote locations, making collaboration possible even when employees are scattered around the globe. The ability to access information remotely also permits employees to telecommute, which makes the employees happy, saves money on leased office space and reduces transportation costs. VPNs can also reduce long-distance telephone charges, as users can share information and ideas using instant messaging and private chat rooms. Because VPNs use the Internet rather than leased wide area network (WAN) lines, the cost of linking computers with a VPN is much lower than with other methods.
- Three types of VPNs are available. Remote-access VPNs connect employees in off-site locations, such as the employee's home or in a hotel when he is traveling. Intranet-based VPNs also connect remote users to certain files and information, but intranet-based VPNs allow connection only from specific locations, such as a company-owned satellite office. Extranet-based VPNs are very similar to intranet-based systems, but allow access to certain locations outside the company. For example, if a company has a supplier who provides just-in-time inventory for manufacturing, the supplier may be given access to company inventory records so supplies can be delivered at the exact time they are needed.
- VPNs must be reliable and secure. Scalability is also an important VPN feature. Scalability allows the network to be expanded and modified as necessary. Ignoring the scalability of a VPN system can be a costly mistake if the company's needs change and it outgrows its current configuration capabilities. It is also important to have strong network and policy-management controls. Network management is crucial to maintaining the network and recognizing any necessary changes. Policy management helps ensure that networks are being used appropriately and in accordance with company goals and guidelines.
- As the name suggests, VPNs are private and designed to limit access to authorized users. Strict and reliable security controls are still necessary to protect the network, however, because VPNs use the Internet. Lax security may leave the network open to denial of service attacks, viruses and other threats. Because the amount of traffic on the Internet varies, and because various computers are linked together with the Internet, it is possible for the speed and quality of a VPN to vary. Most VPNs are fairly reliable, but data packets may sometimes arrive out of order or be lost completely. Companies for whom any possible slowdown or loss of data is completely unacceptable may find that the cost-saving benefits of VPNs do not outweigh the risks.
- Although technological advances are being made all the time, experts predict that the VPNs will continue to grow in popularity far into the future. Hardware devices may become smaller and security protocols better, but the practice of remotely connecting users to each other and information is a trend that is likely to grow in our increasingly global economy. No one can say for sure exactly what this technology will look like in the future, but it is sure to have a very long life, as have the personal computer and Internet.
