Security of a network is not only established with one solution but many. That’s the main reason why businesses should approach security from different angles. Nowadays, both on-premise security and cloud security are essential. A secure gateway plays a significant part in protecting network infrastructures. It establishes the connections between cloud and internal endpoints. So, it should be well supported with tight protocols, continuous monitoring, and micromanaging since it covers a wide area for potential cyberattacks.
Cyberattacks evolve significantly and get more sophisticated as time passes, causing businesses to lose billions of dollars. According to the Internet Crime Report 2021, 3792 ransomware complaints were received, causing an estimated 6,9 billion dollars to be lost last year. It also reported that there were approximately 850,000 cybercrime-related complaints in 2021 and 50,000 in 2020. So, businesses shouldn’t take the security of the network so lightly.
Virtual private gateways can be implemented to establish a secure perimeter as it consists of many filters, protocols, and segmentation. Also, it can be used to create a reliable and safe VPN connection. More detailed information on virtual private gateways and their top 4 benefits will be explained.
What is a Virtual Private Gateway?
Virtual Private Gateway is an instrument that enables a secure connection between endpoints for transferring encrypted data. It is essentially a tunnel with many filters and segmentation to secure the network perimeter against malicious attacks. A virtual private gateway is easy to manage and accessible, and it provides exclusive fixed IP addresses for enterprises. Private links are made between devices, the cloud, and servers. So, these connections need to be monitored regularly and secured tightly. This management is ensured with various assets of virtual private gateways. The private gateway provides DNS filtering, Network Access Control (NAC), network segmentation, and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI). Also, it ensures authorized and authenticated access between endpoints in the network so that encrypted information and data are protected. It is capable of routing and terminating VPN connections as well.
The route is established immediately after traffic on the transmitter side is initiated. The virtual private gateway is independent of VPC (virtual private cloud). So, it can be set up to link endpoints with multiple cloud environments in the same account and region. The virtual private gateway allows IPSec routes. One thing to keep in mind is that complexity increases with the scaling.
A different set of availability zones are established within an enterprise network. So, the network should be segmented with DNS filtering, and strict authentication and authorization procedures should support access control.
Benefits of Virtual Private Gateway
Virtual private gateway provides various benefits to ensure a safe network infrastructure and perimeter. Since authorized users connect cloud environments through a filtered route, encrypted data and information are protected by implementing a private gateway.
The top benefits of virtual private gateways include DNS filtering, Network Access Control (NAC), network segmentation, and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI). Here is more detailed information on how these benefit the corporate network.
1- DNS Filtering
DNS filtering is a method for preventing potential threats such as phishing attacks, malicious links, harmful websites, and so on. It filters out malicious websites with irrelevant, inappropriate, or destructive content. In enterprise networks, businesses can manage which websites can or cannot be accessed by employees since it enables blocklisting and allowlisting such connections.
DNS filtering enhances network security and protects users from malicious actors by allowing connections to secure endpoints. First, the request for connecting to specific domains is subjected to DNS filtering. And then, the connection is ensured if the domain is not on the blocklist or considered to be a malicious website. So, the domain isn’t loaded when DNS filtering blocks the request, ensuring secure and authorized access if allowed.
2- Network Access Control (NAC)
Network Access Control (NAC) expands access management and infrastructure visibility with the use of policies to secure all connections and reaches throughout the whole network. Micromanaged infrastructure visibility is critical for managing and tracking all endpoint activity within the network. Network access control provides increased visibility with improved security. It enables authenticating and monitoring of all access. So, NAC can detect any suspicious and unauthorized activity in real time. Immediate action can be taken with real-time detection, and this asset helps to mitigate cyberattack risks and malware infiltration.
3- Deep Packet Inspection (nDPI)
Deep packet inspection (nDPI) is a form of packet filtering that analyzes the data in every network segment in detail. It inspects the usage behaviors of data and applications, classifying malicious codes and ensuring data accuracy.
Deep packet inspection assesses coded packets’ details and determines what to do with these packets. DPI functions include locating, detecting, classifying, blocking, routing, and so on. These functions are assigned according to policies and regulations. DPI is a crucial security element for malicious activity and malware detection and prevention.
4- Network Segmentation
Network segmentation allows micromanaging access in a segmented infrastructure by a set of authorization and authentication controls. It minimizes lateral movement within the network and prevents unauthorized access. So, it ensures a secure connection through virtual private gateways.
Network segmentation helps to limit activity that belongs in a particular area. That way, unauthorized access can be pinpointed and solved faster. Also, the traffic in different segments of the network can be controlled separately. This control of traffic flow allows virtual private gateways to construct routes accordingly. The network segmentation improves security and operational performance, limits attack areas, protects vulnerable endpoints, and reduces compliance scope.
Final Remarks
Virtual private gateways are crucial for businesses to ensure secure and reliable connections between the endpoints in the network. DNS filtering, Network Access Control (NAC), network segmentation, and Deep Packet Inspection (nDPI) are all significant benefits of having virtual private gateways. Conversely, having improperly secured gateways leaves an open door for cyberattacks and malware infiltration. Overall, businesses can boost productivity while establishing a secure network by implementing a virtual private gateway and the various benefits it offers.