What is a site-to-site VPN?

Curious to learn about site-to-site VPN? The guide is written just for you.

Employees working in different geographical locations need to communicate often. They must share documentation, sensitive information, employee data, and software. To do so, they need a corporate network system that is secure and reliable to work on while making communication easier. 

Site-to-site VPN is a network that connects businesses for resource sharing, enhances security, and boosts privacy. The system works through a safe tunnel where one message is encrypted to be sent to another site and decrypted to access the required information.

How does site-to-site VPN work

The site-to-site VPN works by creating a network that is well-connected to different branches of the same company or other interrelated businesses. The network is built so that there are no information or privacy leaks. The system also ensures that whitelisting of websites is performed and various hacking skills are prevented.

This administration designs the site-to-site VPNs, depending on their company’s compliance. In this way, the database of each office is secured. If you are an employee who wants to access the data from another branch, you can get access to it through security checks. 

Site-to-site VPNs work by connecting to gateways assigned to each office. Once the information from a branch is encrypted, it safely gets to another gateway to be decoded. Once access is requested, the device security and other traffic connecting to it are filtered and checked for better security.

Benefits of site-to-site VPN

Companies need to secure their data, prevent man-in-middle attacks, and maintain their presence in the market. To do so, site-to-site VPNs are used very popularly. Let’s find out some benefits of using site-to-site VPN:

• Controlled Access: Many companies want their data to be accessible to employees only. For example, banks can not issue any of their data to outsiders. Site-to-site VPNs help enterprises to limit data usage to internal users only.

• Security: Sending piles of information in hard copies has become redundant. Companies work on digitalization. With increased risks of phishing, malware, and password breaches, it has become super important for companies to have secure internet access.

• Monitored IP ranges: Companies range the IPs used by their devices to ensure that fraudulent IPs do not get into business. Site-to-site VPN makes sure that these IP addresses are not exposed. 

Site-to-site VPN limitations

Site-to-site is well-used in the corporate world for various network sites, but it comes with certain restrictions:

• Difficult to manage: Site-to-site VPNs are independent of each gateway installed. This needs to be more sites to be managed. If any site is hit by malware, visibility becomes a question.

• Lacks integrated security: The site-to-site VPN allows encryption to gateways only, and filtration of content and data becomes difficult to manage.

• Restricts remote access: If a company has remote employees, site-to-site VPN makes it difficult for them to get access to essential files and documents.

• Low latency: Usually, companies make the information flow from headquarters, which makes the downloading and uploading speed slower.

• Fluff with VPN: Each site needs a VPN, which makes it a VPN fluff and makes security scalability a question.

What is the difference between site-to-site VPN and remote access? 

The name says it all, but it is always better to understand how they work. Site-to-site VPNs are mainly committed to providing a connection that connects one location to another. They are used internally, usually for the internal database. In contrast, remote access VPN allows employees to connect to the office network outside the established network. 

VPN for your business

With a rise in data breaches and hacking activities, businesses have suffered many losses. However, a VPN can help you stay secure, encrypt all communication channels, and enhance protection on all devices. Moreover, a VPN for your employees who are located in different countries and want to share files over the internet.  

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of a site-to-site VPN?

Site-to-site VPNs are designed for business use. They transfer data from one site of business to another with security.

Is OpenVPN a site-to-site VPN?

Yes, OpenVPN is considered a site-to-site VPN. OpenVPN is a router enabled with flexible business features to connect to a VPN.

What are two types of site-to-site VPNs?

The two types are Intra-based VPNs that are used when offices of the same company are connected to site-to-site VPN. On the other hand, Extra-based VPNs are used when offices of different partner companies are connected to site-to-site VPNs.