Is a VPN router necessary for security?

[mmesford]

hi, I'm part of a small organization that has some remote, un-staffed, equipment. We currently have a VPN router that allows us to connect to a PLC. There is no wifi enabled on the router; its not needed. Recently Apple discontinued a VPN protocol needed to connect to this router using an Apple products with an up-to-date OS. I'm proposing to our organization that we replace the router with a different brand. But is the VPN functionality really needed given that we don't use wifi? Isn't a strong password more important than VPN?

 

[sdifox]

Depends on implementation. Are you doing always on link or just link as needed?

 

[mmesford]

No, we only log in a few times a month.

 

[sdifox]

No, we only log in a few times a month.

So why not one of the ddwrt routers with openvpn?

You are correct in that you don't really need vpn, but openvpn is a pretty good easy solution. Business communication should always be over encrypted pipes, no matter how mundane the content.

 

[mmesford]

Hmmm, interesting. I hadn't heard of open source firmware but I like the idea. I'll explore that. Thanks!