RE: VPN and Security

["Michael J. Benedetto" <mbenedetto () amnh org>]

There are also technologies like Cisco NAC (among others) that can check and
enforce endpoint compliance with you standards (patch levels, antivirus,
etc.). That should help on the user side if you can't force them to use a
company configured and maintained PC from outside the office.

-Mike 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: listbounce () securityfocus com 
> [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On Behalf Of Murda Mcloud
> Sent: Monday, June 18, 2007 9:00 PM
> To: 'Sohail Sarwar'; 'Scott Ramsdell'; 'WALI'; 
> security-basics () securityfocus com
> Subject: RE: VPN and Security
>
> VPN is as secure as how well it is implemented and used. 
> Also, the various encryption algorithms used determine how 
> secure it is. Like everything, it is as strong as the weakest 
> link and usually in this scenario that means the home user or 
> their PC.
>
> You're right about the two factor authentication. What were 
> you thinking of using-smart cards or similar?
>
> Giving home users the list of things they must have in 
> place(AV for example) is a good idea. Will you allow them to 
> split tunnel from their home connections or will they have to 
> come through the VPN connection to be able to browse so that 
> they can still go through your firewall/proxy etc?
> Second option is safer but prob slower. And how would you 
> control them when they're not on a VPN? 
> Depending on how far you want to go, you could specify that 
> they only use their laptop for the VPN and have no split and 
> then they can use their home pc for their own use.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: listbounce () securityfocus com 
> [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On Behalf Of Sohail Sarwar
> Sent: Monday, June 18, 2007 11:08 PM
> To: Scott Ramsdell; WALI; security-basics () securityfocus com
> Subject: VPN and Security
>
> Hi there,
>
>       I just wanted to put this out there.  How secure is VPN.
> Meaning, if my users take home the client and install it on 
> their desktop at home, and connect to the corporate network 
> and production network, wheat are we really looking at.  Are 
> they secure or not.
>
>       Two factor authentication would only help the 
> authentication purpose and to protect the user name and password ?
>
>       How about restricting them to access, and how about 
> worrying about their home computer that can be effected.
>
>       Has anyone been through this.  Any one give home users 
> a list of requirements that they must have before vpn can be 
> offered to them ?
>
>       Should there be some type of desktop policy installed 
> on their home computer, just to protect the company network ? 
>  Any help and guidance would be great
>
> Regards,
> Sohail