Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are nothing new. Introduced in the late ‘90s, VPNs have gained immense popularity as internet censorship and restrictions creep in. It is estimated that in the first quarter of 2018, 26% of the world’s internet users employed VPNs to access the web. The two main reasons for doing this are security and the bypassing of filters or censorship measures.
When it comes to cloud networking, VPNs also serve a vital role in ensuring security. In AWS VPCs, for example, Amazon has the responsibility to secure the cloud, including the AWS global infrastructure, storage, database, networking configuration, and virtualization layer, but it is the customer’s obligation to protect inbound or outbound data, access management, the network and firewall configuration, applications, and operating system. You are lucky if you use cloud services provided by companies like Aviatrix as they help customers secure VPC access. If you are using hodgepodge cloud solutions, you need to be well-versed in the proper securing of your virtual private cloud networks.
Customers must use VPNs
It is the burden of the cloud service customer to secure the data flowing in and out of their VPCs. The cloud service provider is no longer accountable for problems brought about by the imprudence of the customer in managing data movement and access to the VPCs. That’s why it is highly recommended to use VPNs. Virtual private networks establish a secure connection across public networks by using encryption.
Multiple devices and transports as well as the abstraction of management and trust in cloud computing infrastructure entail the need for implementing security measures across all layers, from the hosts to the servers and network transports, to secure data and connections adequately. It is advisable to use single-service VPN access to the cloud to reduce vulnerabilities significantly on both the client and server sides.
Which type of VPN to use?
VPNs can be network-to-network or single-host-to-server based. The first is the oldest VPN technology and is known for having the biggest risk partly because of the number of hosts used in running it. It is not a suitable type of VPN to use for client-to-cloud connections. The second type, also known as point-to-point VPN is what you need to secure your connection to your VPCs as it comes with an encrypted tunnel from the client to host for several services. It is not a perfect type of VPN, but it is easier to manage when the access area size is limited and provides the possibility of monitoring an entire session.
VPN use is essential in VPC access if you want to guarantee security. However, you have to be well-informed as you choose the VPN service to use. It’s also worth remembering that several data center-based user VPN services are not designed to work behind a load balancer and be scalable. Carefully examine your options and make sure that the VPN you get supports high availability and is not constrained to just one instance.
