RE: [fw-wiz] VPN concentrators

From: Crispin Harris (Harris_C@DeMorgan.com.au)
Date: 08/26/02 

From: Crispin Harris <Harris_C@DeMorgan.com.au>
To: "'Ofir Arkin'" <ofir@sys-security.com>
Date: Mon Aug 26 22:53:02 2002

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ofir Arkin [mailto:ofir@sys-security.com]
>
> No one even looked at a number of other critical questions:
> - Is this a Device/Client to Device VPN or both?
> - What information needs to go through that VPN?
> - Who uses the VPN? Trusted entity? Your grand mother?
> - What is that trusted entity's security?
> - Can we trust it? (of course not)

The primary thing here is in determining the type of the VPN.
(Fixed/Roaming, Office/Home, Company/Partner/Telecomuter/Other etc...)

These questions will determine the level of paranoia involved in the
filtering of the effected traffic, how strong a firewall do I need,
Static/Stateful Filters, Proxies, content inspection....

> - What is the client software used (shame on you all not mentioning that
> - IPSEC - there are a number of issues here to remind you all.
> - Management
> - Access Controls
> - Number of users using the VPN
> - Availability issues
> - Etc.

Then looking at the attributes of the traffic flowing over the VPN.

Another aspect of this is that it is necessary to determine the capabilities
of the VPN concentrator - not all VPN devices are capable of inspecting and
controlling traffic.
 
(exactly...)
> By the way - a VPN is not a firewall...
> The encrypted traffic hitting the VPN must be validated after decryption
> is performed... This is the reason why, sometimes, a VPN+Firewall in one
> box (e.g. checkpoint) will be a good solution, or a
> firewall-VPN-firewall "sandwich" will be also used.

> Just my 2c.

Ditto (and agreeing...)

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