What is a Virtual Private Network?

Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that simulates a local area network between two trusted networks. In practice this allows two elements (workstations, servers, printers, etc.) to communicate with each other even though thay are not physically located in the same computer network.

Since communication between these two networks passes through a public network in most cases, VPNs incorporate security mechanisms to ensure that communication between the two networks cannot be intercepted by a third party to ensure confidentiality. This technology is very practical in the context of companies deployed in several locations that need to share computer resources, such as file sharing.

For ease of use, this technology has been adopted by IT departments in cases where teleworking is used by considering the remote user’s workstation as an extension of the company’s computer network even though this workstation is not part of a trusted network.