Re: VPN endpoints

["Kevin Sheldrake" <kev () electriccat co uk>]

Hmm

I thought OSI was Open System Interconnection, as in 7 Layer OSI Model.

VPNs are not secure by default for two differently abstracted reasons:
1) Some VPN products default to allowing the Null encryption algorithm.   
So, unless you like no encryption, VPNs are not secure (although some  
specific examples may be 'secure' (see 2)).   Also, bear in mind the  
implementation of the VPN encryption algorithms might not be textbook -  
how will you know?

2) 'Secure' is an undefined term.  What's secure for me might not be  
secure for you - it all depends upon the sensitivity of the information  
and the impact on the business in cases of compromise, whether that be  
confidentiality, integrity or availability.

SSL VPNs are IMHO generally a bad idea.  In a nutshell, this is because  
most of the benefits are in the fact that practically any client can be  
used, and that the authentication mechanisms are not particularly  
intrusive (and often are fault-tolerant).  By allowing uncontrolled  
clients you introduce potentially major risks; controlling the clients  
would point back towards a traditional IPSec solution.  The authentication  
mechanisms may be compromised by a little technology and average user  
ignorance (fake certificates, for instance); restricting the  
authentication mechanisms would again point back towards traditional IPSec  
solutions.

Quote:
> Actually, I coined OSI ;-) as an implementation of distinct security
> techniques and several processes particularly in protecting the inter-
>
> network. Meaning adept in the disposal of security components such us
> encryption, PKI, openPGP, software/hardware firewall, antivirus software
> that will make sure it will guarantee the protection of your data  
> wherever
> it goes. ;-)

"adept in the disposal of security components"?  "make sure"?  "guarantee"?

Wow, it sounds like there's no need for risk assessments or systems  
analysis anymore; I better retrain as a plumber.

Kev


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> On Tue, 24 Aug 2004 10:36:43 -0700 hermit921 <hermit921 () yahoo com>
>
> hello,
>
> VPN is secure by default and it uses several encryption algorithm to
> satisfy the endpoint security every administrator and endusers is looking
> for. As long as it is within the VPN jurisdiction (i mean the client
> and server who are accessing the service) the communication cannot be
> easily be compromised (it may take long to get that) because the data
> are encrypted while traversing the unsecured public internet. Also  
> consider
> what types of service or protocols are you going to employ there are
> like L2TP, PPTP from Microsoft, IPSec VPNs and the new one which is the
> SSL VPN where its elimates hassles on part of the Security Admin (whoever
> is in-charge in your organization) to configure the vpn client because
> lots of internet browsers has now have their own SSL embedded in it.
> The question must be like this, is the security still remains if the
> message or data transmitted is still secure when it goes out of the VPN
> server? Like when you transfer it to your PC or any machine that is  
> already
> out of the VPN jurisdiction. Absolutely NOT! unless you have implemented
> an OpenSecurity Infrastructure (OSI) that will totally secure by  
> encrypting
> all data transmitting in (your LAN) and out (that is the use of VPN)
> of your network.
>
> Actually, I coined OSI ;-) as an implementation of distinct security
> techniques and several processes particularly in protecting the inter-
>
> network. Meaning adept in the disposal of security components such us
> encryption, PKI, openPGP, software/hardware firewall, antivirus software
> that will make sure it will guarantee the protection of your data  
> wherever
> it goes. ;-)
>
> Cheers,
>
> a.k.a Sparc
>
> RODEL COLLADO URANI
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--
Kevin Sheldrake MEng MIEE CEng CISSP
Electric Cat (Bournemouth) Ltd

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