167k views
1 vote
Jim is working on a network design for a small office running a Windows file and printer server with Internet

capability for five desktop computers and a wireless router for the chief executive. He is suggesting they create a
Virtual Private Network (VPN), which will provide an encrypted "tunnel" through the public Internet for secure
access,
Why does this scenario provide an inappropriate firewall solution?

TIMED TEST HURRY

1 Answer

4 votes

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.

User Goga Koreli
by
5.5k points