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Unit 4: Computer Networks

Network Security: Firewalls, IPSec, and VPNs

ICT 110: IT for Business

Learning Objectives

Understanding how we protect the IP addresses and data highways we discussed in the last session.
  • ✅ Firewalls: Protecting the corporate perimeter.
  • ✅ IPSec: Locking down data in transit (IPv4 vs IPv6).
  • ✅ VPNs: Secure tunneling for remote work.
  • ✅ Context: Applying these tools to practical business needs.

The Context: It Starts with IP Addresses

Security builds directly on the IP Addressing concepts we just learned.

🏢 Public IPs

The "Front Door". Visible to the internet. Needs heavy protection (Firewalls).

🔒 Private IPs

The "Internal Office". Hidden behind the firewall. Requires VPNs to access remotely.

Security Goal: Control who enters the Public IP to reach the Private IP assets.
IP Address Analogy from previous deck

Why Security Matters (The Assets)

What We Protect

  • 💰 Finance: Bank details, Payroll.
  • 🤝 HR: Personal IDs, Salaries.
  • 📊 Marketing: Customer Data.
  • ⚙️ Operations: Supply Patterns.

The Risks

  • 🔻 Financial Theft
  • 🔻 Reputation Loss
  • 🔻 Legal Penalties

Visualizing the Defense

Shield protecting business assets

1. Firewalls: The Gatekeeper

A system that monitors traffic based on IP rules.

The Logic:

  • "Allow traffic from IP X"
  • "Block traffic from IP Y"
Firewall Logic

Firewalls in Action

Departmental Rules

🛡️ Finance Blocks all external IPs. Only allows internal Accounting Team IPs.
🛡️ HR Restricts access to confidential employee records.
🛡️ Ops Only allows trusted Supply Chain Partner IPs.

The Problem: Data in Transit

Firewalls protect the building (Network). But what happens when data leaves the building?

Scenario: Sending a budget file from Kathmandu HQ to Pokhara Branch over the public internet.

2. IPSec: The Armored Truck

IPSec encrypts data packets while they travel between IP addresses.

Core Functions

  • Authentication: verifies the sender.
  • Encryption: Scrambles the content.

IPv4 vs IPv6

  • IPv4: IPSec is an add-on (Optional).
  • IPv6: IPSec support is built-in (Native).

IPSec Business Use Cases

⚙️ Operations

Securely linking a factory in Birgunj to HQ in Kathmandu.

💰 Banking

Ensuring ATM transaction data cannot be tampered with in transit.

3. VPNs: The Private Tunnel

VPN (Virtual Private Network): Creates a secure tunnel over the public internet.

It gives a remote device (public IP) a temporary presence inside the corporate network (private IP).

VPN Tunnel Concept

VPNs: Enabling Agility

💼 Remote Work

Working from home with office-level security.

🏢 Branch Links

Cost-effective connection for new retail outlets.

🌍 Access Control

Granting contractors limited access to specific servers.

Nepal Context & Summary 🇳🇵

Local Examples

  • eSewa: Heavy firewalling for payments.
  • Daraz: VPNs for secure logistics management.
  • Banks: IPSec for inter-branch data.

The Security Trio

  • Firewall: The Guard (Perimeter)
  • IPSec: The Armored Truck (Transit)
  • VPN: The Tunnel (Remote Access)

Thank You

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