VPNs & Firewalls

Recall that a firewall is used to control the access into the network so that it can stop the spread of 'fire' in the surrounding area.

A VPN, on the other hand, provides the secured channel between the two parties who are exchanging information. A combination of VPN and Firewall would ensure only authorized applications and users are accessing the information.

A VPN Firewall ensures that malicious intentions are impeded and only authentic traffic enters into the VPN.

VPN and firewall can be deployed separately. Normally VPN is deployed after the firewall. First check of entry is firewall.

Some of the VPN gateway vendors are now providing firewall functions also. This has an added advantage of using a single device to configure both as VPN gateway and firewall.