Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are private connections over a public network like the Internet. They allow users working away from the physical network to communicate with the network at the same level of security they would have working on site.

Virtual Private Networks
All VPN software and hardware makes use of encryption technology, which ensures that messages cannot be read by anyone other than the intended recipient. It uses advanced mathematical algorithms to "scramble " messages and their attachments. Find out more about Cisco VPN

In addressing Site-to-Site connectivity challenges, VPNs are an alternative WAN infrastructure connecting branch offices, home offices, or business partners' sites to all or portions of a company's network. VPNs do not inherently change private WAN requirements, such as support for multiple protocols, high reliability, and extensive scalability, but instead meet these requirements more cost-effectively and with greater flexibility. Site-to-site VPNs use the most pervasive transport technologies available today, such as the public Internet or service provider IP networks, by employing tunneling and encryption for data privacy and QoS for transport reliability.

Cisco VPNs enable organisations to use cost-effective third-party Internet transport to connect remote offices and remote users to the main corporate site, thus eliminating expensive dedicated WAN links and modem banks.

Cisco VPN solutions are scalable, with high performance VPN solutions available as standalone devices or in switching and routing technology to improve cost efficiency.

Cisco Connectivity solutions offer the following advantages:

1. Improved management with centralized configuration and security policy control delivered to all devices during connection, without user intervention.
2. Security policy consistency & integrity across the entire network and all remote clients / users.
3. Enhanced remote desktop (client) security enforcement with virus, DoS, worm protection and personal firewall via integration with Cisco Security Agent.
4. Cost savings from free of charge, unlimited usage of Cisco VPN Client.

Cisco Systems have gone a step further, working closely with iPass to integrate the Cisco VPN client software into iPass client software. On-the-road users can now access the internet or office network at broadband speeds (depending on the local infrastructure).