Which VPN technologies are authorized for use by federal agencies?

Which VPN technologies are authorized for use by federal agencies?

• A. SSTP, PPTP
• B. L2TP/IPsec, SSL/TLS
• C. IPsec, SSL/TLS
• D. SSL/TLS, PPTP

Answer: (C)

The selection of IPsec and SSL/TLS as authorized VPN technologies for federal agencies is grounded in their robust security features and widespread acceptance in compliance with federal standards. IPsec provides a comprehensive suite of protocols that operate at the network layer, securing Internet Protocol communications by authenticating and encrypting each IP packet within a communication session. This makes it particularly suitable for establishing secure tunnels for data transmission over potentially insecure networks, which is a critical requirement for federal IT operations. SSL/TLS, on the other hand, operates at the transport layer and is typically used to protect web communications. It provides confidentiality, integrity, and authentication for the data being transmitted, making it a preferred choice for secure data exchanges, especially in web-based applications. The combination of these two technologies ensures a multi-layered approach to security, aligning with federal compliance frameworks such as those established by NIST. The other options include technologies that may not meet the stringent security requirements set forth for federal use. For example, while SSTP is considered secure, its use is not as widespread or standardized as IPsec and SSL/TLS. PPTP is known for its vulnerabilities and is generally not recommended for secure communications in federal environments. L2TP/IPsec is also a valid protocol, but

The selection of IPsec and SSL/TLS as authorized VPN technologies for federal agencies is grounded in their robust security features and widespread acceptance in compliance with federal standards.

IPsec provides a comprehensive suite of protocols that operate at the network layer, securing Internet Protocol communications by authenticating and encrypting each IP packet within a communication session. This makes it particularly suitable for establishing secure tunnels for data transmission over potentially insecure networks, which is a critical requirement for federal IT operations.

SSL/TLS, on the other hand, operates at the transport layer and is typically used to protect web communications. It provides confidentiality, integrity, and authentication for the data being transmitted, making it a preferred choice for secure data exchanges, especially in web-based applications. The combination of these two technologies ensures a multi-layered approach to security, aligning with federal compliance frameworks such as those established by NIST.

The other options include technologies that may not meet the stringent security requirements set forth for federal use. For example, while SSTP is considered secure, its use is not as widespread or standardized as IPsec and SSL/TLS. PPTP is known for its vulnerabilities and is generally not recommended for secure communications in federal environments. L2TP/IPsec is also a valid protocol, but