A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel between a device and a remote network. VPNs protect traffic from eavesdropping and allow devices to access private resources as if they were on the same local network. VPNs are used for remote work, secure browsing, and connecting distributed systems.
Why it matters
VPNs enhance security, privacy, and access control. They are essential for remote access to internal infrastructure, protecting sensitive data over public networks, and linking multi-region architectures.
Examples
Connecting to a company VPN to access internal dashboards or using WireGuard to link cloud environments securely. Security tracks reference VPN usage for safe network design.