You’re looking to enable remote access or flexible working for your staff, but you need to ensure security at all times. Sounds like a job for one of our Managed VPNs. But which one?

If companies hope to keep ahead in the game they need to be able to share applications or data between offices and allow remote access to corporate systems. In particular, if you’re looking to either increase productivity, improve communication or provide flexible working arrangements for staff, such facilities become pretty essential.

But many organisations see the provision of secure remote access as a daunting task, especially when it involves connecting a dispersed user base with a multitude of devices to a broad range of corporate resources. 
 
A Managed VPN (Virtual Private Network) from Virgin Media Business is the perfect solution. It combines easy-to-use and secure remote access solutions with established links over our core Next Generation Network, so you can take full advantage of the internet and enhance your business communications.

Why do I need a Managed VPN?

Combining internet, intranet and extranet connectivity through a single, secure remote access solution is the way to go. It enables you to reduce the cost and complexity of operating multiple networks while freeing up valuable IT resources. And that’s what makes a VPN an attractive alternative to traditional WANs (Wide Area Networks). Because staff can connect – wherever they may be – to a single integrated network, you can boost operational efficiency and offer employees more flexible working arrangements.

Our two options for remote VPN access:

• IPSec (IP Security): This VPN provides a secure, private tunnel between devices and is an ideal way to extend your private network across the internet to a remote site or branch office.
• SSL (Secure Socket Layer): This uses familiar browser-based technology and robust security functions, making it the ideal solution for connecting internal or external users to your organisation’s applications.

So which solution is right for your business?

An IPSec (or ‘network layer’) VPN uses a shared network to transport sensitive multi-protocol traffic using a combination of encryption and tunnelling functions. Users can enjoy the same continuous access to the corporate network just as if they were physically connected to it. This is ideal for sharing resources in separate offices to improve enterprise-wide productivity.

Choose an IPSec VPN if:

• You mainly need site-to-site connectivity where tunnels are permanently established, e.g. connecting branch offices to corporate offices.
• You only need to grant access to trusted enterprise hardware, e.g. company PCs providing limited mobility options.
• You need an ‘always on’ connection to enable large volumes of background traffic to be sent from automated programmes talking to other programmes, e.g. a retail POS (Point of Sale) system that sends transaction data straight to head office.
• You want that extra layer of security afforded by software installed and configured on the client device.

An SSL (or ‘application layer’) VPN provides users with the ability to gain remote access to the network using any web-enabled device in any location, with no pre-installed client software. SSL offers powerful access controls and handles the needs of different types of user, from roaming or mobile workers to external users coming from unmanaged endpoints. This reduces the risk of providing access to company resources from an untrusted network or unmanaged device, such as a home computer.

Take a closer look at what we offer

• IPSec (IP Security): This VPN provides a secure, private tunnel between devices and is an ideal way to extend your private network across the internet to a remote site or branch office.
• SSL (Secure Socket Layer): This uses familiar browser-based technology and robust security functions, making it the ideal solution for connecting internal or external users to your organisation’s applications.