You want secure networks for your organization. Currently,
you’re using VPNs. But you’ve been told that IP VPNs are an even better option,
as they offer extra protection against security risks.

Now you’re wondering whether you should transit to IP VPN or
stick with what you currently use. Maybe you don’t know much about the new
option, and you’re not conversant with your existing solution either. What’s
the superior alternative? What should you go with?

This article is a guide to answering these questions.

Let’s begin by explaining some of the terms involved.

An IP (Internet
Protocol) address is a number that is given to every device that connects
to the internet. It’s like a ‘name’ or means of identification for each device;
no two devices bear the same number.

Besides identifying the device (and, by extension, its
user), it also indicates the location of the user and their device. For
instance, you can tell what country a person is in through their IP address.

A VPN (Virtual
Private Network) is a network setup that lets its users connect to their
organizations’ internal network remotely via the public internet. It makes it
possible for employees to access their company’s shared files from locations
outside its physical offices.

An IP VPN
functions in a similar way to a regular VPN. But there’s at least one
difference: IP VPN connects to internal networks via private gateways, rather
than the public internet.

How IP VPN Works

IP VPN utilizes something called Multiprotocol Label
Switching (MPLS) to allow the user to get to their organization’s intranet
while avoiding the public internet.

The MPLS sorts the bits of data passing through the World
Wide Web into appropriate groups—video, voice, or images for instance. It also
speeds up the transmission of these data to their destination.

Why Choose an IP VPN
Instead of a VPN?

An IP VPN can help you expand your bandwidth and increase
uptimes for your applications. It’s not as susceptible to DoS (Denial of
Service) attacks as a regular VPN. Because it functions away from the public
internet, it’s not vulnerable to many of the threats that come through the
broader web.

What to Consider
Before Choosing an IP VPN Provider

Many firms offer IP VPN as a product. But they won’t all
give you the same quality of service. That’s why you need to know what to look
out for when prospecting for a service provider in this area.

Here are some things you should consider.

1. Security

This is one reason why you want to get an IP VPN in the
first place, so you should be sure that your vendor’s offering will guarantee
it. If you find that the details related to this are too technical, you should
ask your IT team to look at what’s being offered. They may spot defective
aspects of the product, or give it an all-clear, depending on the results of
their assessment.

2. Speed

Your IP VPN should give you the advantage of a higher speed
connection, compared to the public internet. Several factors will affect the
speed of your network, including some localized to your organization or
location. But it may be a function of the quality that a vendor can provide. So
you should consider the reputation of various vendors in this area before
deciding which one you will go with.

3. User Friendliness

Can you use the service without much help? Or is it so
complex that you require a technician to help you with it?

Your IP VPN should give you good user experience. The fact
that it’s somewhat advanced technology isn’t an excuse for complexity. If you
can’t navigate it yourself after a few tries, it’s probably not worth your
while.

4. Access

This service lets you connect all your business locations to
your organization’s internal files and other resources. A high-grade IP VPN should
enable you to achieve quick access to your business’s intranet regardless of
where you are.  

5. Price

It’s important to compare prices too, where you can. Look
for an IP VPN provider that gives the best balance of price and quality that
matches your needs. On one hand, unusually low prices may indicate less than
optimal product quality. But there may be a less expensive option than the
pricey IP VPN services that are just as effective.

6. Support

What happens if you run into some difficulty while using an
IP VPN? Is the service provider always available to take on your requests for
help?

Support is an important part of any IT vendor’s package.
They should have resources that cover the issues you are most likely to
encounter while using their service. You should also be able to speak with
their agents when this is the more helpful thing to do.

Should You Choose a
VPN or IP VPN?

You can settle with a regular
VPN if:

•You are a small business with
little need for the sort of expanded bandwidth that IP VPN gives.

•You don’t have a lot of staff
working remotely.

•There’s no significant IT security
threat.

Consider using an IP VPN if you meet these criteria:

•You are a medium or large scale
business that has to deal with a lot of traffic on your networks.

•A lot of your employees work
remotely.

•There’s a potential but significant
IT security threat to your organization.

Final Words

There’s a lot that Virtual
Private Networks can do for your company. With IP VPNs you can achieve even
more. Whether it’s securing your banking details or raising the efficiency of
your VoIP systems, this technology can make your operations much easier and
more secure.

When you weigh up your options
for an IP VPN service provider, you’ll certainly prefer one that’s been around
for a while. You will also want them to know the peculiarities of the
environment you work in.

That’s what you get with Layer3. For over 14 years, we have helped
organizations in the public and private sectors with IT solutions they need to
function optimally. We bring this experience to bear in our delivery of IP VPN services.
Our team can deploy one that suits your specific needs, and provide expert
management and support along with it.   

If you would like to find out
more about our access solutions, you can contact us here.