Tunneling and Encryption Protocols
Meet IPsec, SSL/TLS, and how they secure remote links.
Protocols Behind the Tunnel
A VPN tunnel is built by specific protocols that define how traffic is encapsulated, encrypted, and authenticated. Different protocols suit different needs, balancing security, speed, and compatibility.
The two giants of VPN technology are IPsec and SSL/TLS. Understanding their roles helps you recognize how nearly every VPN you meet is actually built.
IPsec Overview
IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) is a suite of protocols that secures traffic at the network layer (Layer 3). It can encrypt and authenticate every packet between two endpoints, and is the backbone of most site-to-site VPNs.
Because it works at Layer 3, IPsec protects all traffic transparently, regardless of the application sending it, which makes it ideal for connecting whole networks.
All lessons in this course
- What a VPN Tunnel Provides
- Site-to-Site vs Client VPNs
- Tunneling and Encryption Protocols
- Secure Remote Access Methods