Final answer:
While a VPN ensures secure communication over the Internet, it does not serve as a firewall. A firewall actively controls and monitors network traffic to prevent security threats, which is why it's necessary alongside a VPN for a comprehensive security setup in a small office.
Step-by-step explanation:
Appropriateness of VPN as a Firewall Solution
The student's question pertains to the suitability of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) as a firewall solution in a scenario where a small office requires secure access to resources. While a VPN does provide a secure encrypted tunnel for remote access, it is not primarily a firewall solution. A firewall is designed to protect against unauthorized access and to filter outbound and inbound traffic according to a set of security rules, whereas a VPN primarily ensures secure communication over the public Internet.
Therefore, suggesting a VPN for this small office might be inappropriate because it does not replace the need for a firewall that actively monitors and controls the ingress and egress of network traffic to prevent cyber threats. For comprehensive security, it would be advisable to implement both a firewall and a VPN. The firewall would handle traffic filtering and intrusion prevention, while the VPN would ensure secure remote access.