Guide to SSL VPNs

Published

July 1, 2008

Author(s)

Sheila E. Frankel, Paul Hoffman, Angela Orebaugh, Richard Park

Abstract

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) provide users with secure remote access to an organization's resources. An SSL VPN consists of one or more VPN devices to which users connect using their Web browsers. The traffic between the Web browser and SSL VPN device is encrypted with the SSL protocol. SSL VPNs can provide remote users with access to Web applications and client/server applications, as well as connectivity to internal networks. They offer versatility and ease of use because they use the SSL protocol, which is included with all standard Web browsers, so special client configuration or installation is often not required. In planning a VPN deployment, many organizations are faced with a choice between an IPsec-based VPN and an SSL-based VPN. This document seeks to assist organizations in understanding SSL VPN technologies. The publication also makes recommendations for designing, implementing, configuring, securing, monitoring, and maintaining SSL VPN solutions. SP 800-113 provides a phased approach to SSL VPN planning and implementation that can help in achieving successful SSL VPN deployments. It also includes a comparison with other similar technologies such as Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) VPNs and other VPN solutions.

Citation

Special Publication (NIST SP) - 800-113

Report Number

800-113

NIST Pub Series

Special Publication (NIST SP)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

Local Download

Keywords

secure sockets layer, secure remote access, ssl, tls, transport layer security, virtual private network, vpn

Citation

Frankel, S. , Hoffman, P. , Orebaugh, A. and Park, R. (2008), Guide to SSL VPNs, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=152086 (Accessed November 13, 2024)