Understanding the Limitations of VPNs and the Rise of Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet

In today’s digital age, the prevalence of data breaches has become a disturbingly frequent occurrence. It seems like every time we read the news, there is another report of a serious data breach that compromises the personal information of millions of individuals.

The 2021 Thales Data Threat Report sheds light on the severity of the issue, revealing that nearly half (45%) of US companies experienced a data breach in the past year. However, the actual number could be even higher due to undetected breaches. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for businesses to address the challenge of safeguarding sensitive information in an environment where critical data is shared and transmitted over the public internet.

With the rise of cybercrime and sophisticated hacking techniques, safeguarding sensitive information has become more challenging than ever. But it is important they do because the consequences of data breaches can be severe, ranging from financial losses and damage to reputation to legal repercussions and a loss of customer trust.

Many companies have turned to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) as a means to secure their critical traffic. These VPNs are deployed over the public internet (Layer 3) and utilize encryption protocols to establish a secure tunnel between the user’s device and the destination server, protecting the data from interception or unauthorized access.

The primary advantage of VPNs lies in their ability to provide a secure and private connection, especially when accessing sensitive information over public networks or when remote employees need to connect to their corporate networks. By encrypting the data traffic, VPNs ensure that any information transmitted between the user’s device and the server remains confidential and protected from prying eyes.

While VPNs have their benefits and have become popular in recent years, they are not without their limitations and inherent risks.

The Limitations and Risks of VPNs in Safeguarding Sensitive Information 

One of the primary concerns when using a VPN over the public internet is the exposure of critical traffic to potential bad actors. The public internet, being a globally accessible network, opens up opportunities for any malicious actor to exploit vulnerabilities and compromise the security of sensitive information. This reality significantly increases the likelihood of unauthorized access, interception, and eavesdropping.

The pervasive presence of hackers and cybercriminals in the digital landscape further accentuates the concerns surrounding data exposure. These malicious individuals are constantly honing their skills and leveraging sophisticated techniques to identify weaknesses in security systems. They actively seek out opportunities to infiltrate networks, gain unauthorized access, and compromise valuable data. Therefore, transmitting critical information over the public internet without adequate protection poses a considerable risk.

There are other risks to bear in mind as well. While modern VPNs typically use robust encryption algorithms, vulnerabilities can still arise due to flaws in the implementation or outdated protocols. Hackers and cybercriminals are continuously evolving their techniques, making it crucial for VPN providers to stay up to date with the latest security measures and encryption standards.

Another limitation of VPNs is the potential impact on network performance. The encryption and routing processes involved in establishing a VPN connection can introduce additional latency, leading to slower network speeds. This can be particularly problematic for bandwidth-intensive activities such as video streaming or large file transfers.

It is crucial to avoid excessive reliance on VPNs, as they can create a misleading sense of security. Many users mistakenly believe that they are shielded from all cyber threats once they are connected to a VPN. This is far from true. It’s important to understand that VPNs only secure the communication between the user’s device and the destination server. Once the data reaches the server or leaves the VPN network, it may still be vulnerable to other risks and security breaches.

What’s more, VPNs do not provide foolproof protection against all forms of cyber threats. While they encrypt the data traffic, they do not necessarily protect against malware, phishing attacks, or social engineering tactics. Users must remain vigilant and employ additional security measures, such as robust antivirus software and regular security awareness training, to mitigate these risks effectively.

Indeed, there is an alternative option to enhance the security of critical workloads — privatizing traffic over Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet. This method offers a significantly more secure approach to connecting networks and safeguarding sensitive data.

Understanding the Importance of Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet for Data Security

Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet is a sophisticated networking technology that offers a framework for establishing private secure circuits over Ethernet networks. It provides an advanced solution for organizations and individuals seeking enhanced security and privacy for their data transmission.

Traditionally, Ethernet networks are widely used for local area networks (LANs) within their local facility connecting and sharing computers, printers, and other resources. However, with the advent of Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet, the capabilities of Ethernet have been extended to create private, secure, and reliable circuits over larger networks, including wide area networks (WANs). Additionally, Carrier Ethernet offers the ability to have hardware-encrypted secure services across the Layer 2 Ethernet circuit.

By leveraging Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet, organizations can establish private and isolated networks. Each user or site is allocated a unique virtual Ethernet connection, ensuring data privacy, and preventing unauthorized access from other users or external entities.

Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet offers several advantages in terms of security and privacy:

• Enhanced Security: Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet enhances security by establishing private connections, reducing vulnerability to potential threats, and safeguarding traffic against unauthorized access. It also offers the option of end-to-end hardware encryption for enhanced protection adding another layer of protection.
• Reduced Vulnerabilities: Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet minimizes network vulnerabilities compared to public internet-based VPNs. Moving critical network workloads away from the public internet creates a more secure environment for data transmission. Privatizing network resources helps to safeguard critical data transport and reduce potential attack surfaces.
• Improved Performance: Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet delivers higher bandwidth and lower latency, resulting in faster and more reliable network connections, particularly beneficial for real-time data transmission. It ensures consistent service levels that reduce lag, latency, and jitter and offers synchronous service, where download and upload speeds are separate streams at the same speed.
• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet services often include SLAs, guaranteeing network performance, reliability, and uptime for critical workloads. It improves performance and connectivity between office locations, data centers, and cloud infrastructure. Additionally, it enables Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize traffic between services, enhancing efficiency and productivity. The availability of highly redundant and resilient Ethernet pathing across multiple circuits simultaneously further enhances reliability.

Understanding the intricacies of networking infrastructure can be overwhelming for businesses. Many organizations partner with Managed Network Service Providers (MNSPs) to address this challenge. These providers specialize in the management and maintenance of network infrastructure, offering businesses valuable expertise and support.

By engaging an MNSP, businesses can ensure that their network operations are in capable hands, enabling them to focus on their core activities with the confidence that their network is being professionally managed.

Introducing Massive Network’s One Pipe Multi-Connect® Solution 

At Massive Network, we specialize in risk mitigation on the ISP/Carrier side of the network. Our comprehensive services encompass managing, monitoring, and maintaining connections and circuits, utilizing our award-winning One Pipe Multi-Connect® Solution. This innovative, fully managed network solution provides a single connection to deliver multiple streams of data to and from your various locations. We ensure seamless connectivity between your main office and other branch locations, cloud services, and global data centers, regardless of their geographic location.

By leveraging our expertise and cutting-edge technologies, we effectively reduce your attack surface, minimizing the potential vulnerabilities associated with transmitting sensitive data over public networks. Our secure Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your critical workloads, shielding them from the risks posed by the inherently open nature of the public internet.

If you would like to learn more about our One Pipe Multi-Connect® Solution or stay informed on the latest news in the world of cybersecurity, visit our website.