Advantages and Disadvantages of IPsec

Today, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) usually fall under one of the two categories, based on the security features in place: IPsec or SSL. While SSL-based VPNs rely on application layer-specific protocols like the Secure Socket Layer, IPsec-based VPNs let the security layer become a part of the network itself, allowing for increased protection for not only a single type of traffic, but for all the traffic flowing in and out of the network. However, like any popular technology, IPsec does come with its own set of pros and cons. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of IPsec:

Advantages of IPsec

Thanks to the flexibility of the Internet Protocol, IPsec has become a popular international standard, making it easier to maintain, and it is more secure as well.

Security at the network layer level

Being based at the network level, this technology is completely invisible in its operation. The end users are never required to learn about it, and neither do they ever directly interact with it. This in itself is an added layer of security for the VPNs running on IPsec.

Moreover, being based at the network layer allows IPsec to monitor all the traffic being passed over the network. This makes IPsec ideal for monitoring and securing all sorts of internet traffic, inbound as well as outbound.

No application dependence

While SSL-/ SSH-/ PGP-based VPNs are application-dependent, IPsec-based VPNs do not need to worry about application dependence. Since the entire security system is implemented at the network level, there are no application compatibility issues.

Disadvantages

CPU overhead

Having to perform encryption and decryption on the hundreds of megabytes of data flowing through the machines requires quite a bit of processing power, and this translates to higher processor loads.

Compatibility issues

IPsec is a standardized solution today, and yet, some large software developers may not adhere to it, and may go ahead with standards of their own. As a result, this can lead to compatibility issues.

Broken algorithms

Some of the security algorithms that are still being used in IPsec have already been cracked. This poses a huge security risk, especially if the network administrators unknowingly use those algorithms instead of newer, more complex ones that are already available.

You can easily compare advantages and disadvantages of IPsec and other VPN protocols here.