What is IPSEC ? | The operation of IPsec VPNs

What is IPSEC ? | The operation of IPsec VPNs

A collection of communication guidelines or protocols known as IPsec is used to establish secure network connections. The common standard that governs data transmission across the internet is called Internet Protocol (IP). To increase the protocol's security, IPsec incorporates authentication and encryption. At its source, for instance, it jumbles the data, and when it gets to its destination, it unjumbles it. Additionally, it verifies the data's origin. 

Importance of IPSEC

In order to guarantee data secrecy, integrity, and authenticity when gaining access to public networks, the Internet Engineering Task Force created IPsec in the 1990s. For instance, users use an IPsec virtual private network (VPN) to connect to the internet in order to remotely access company files. Sensitive data is encrypted via the IPsec protocol to stop unauthorized surveillance. The authorization of the received data packets might also be confirmed by the server.

Purpose of IPSEC

• When sending data over the public internet, make sure the router is secure.
• Data from applications should be encrypted.
• Verify information fast if it comes from a known sender.
• By establishing IPsec tunnels—encrypted circuits that encrypt all data transmitted between two endpoints—you may safeguard network data.
• IPsec is used by organizations to defend against replay attacks. The process of intercepting and changing an ongoing transmission by sending data to a computer in the middle is known as a replay attack or man-in-the-middle attack. Each data packet is given a sequential number by the IPsec protocol, which also checks for duplicate packets. 

IPsec encryption: what is it?

Data is jumbled by IPsec encryption, a software feature that shields information from unwanted access. An encryption key encrypts data; to decrypt the data, a decryption key is required. Multiple encryption types, such as AES, Blowfish, Triple DES, and DES-CBC, are supported by IPsec. 

To offer speed and security during data transit, IPsec employs both symmetric and asymmetric encryption. Asymmetric encryption keeps the decryption key secret while making the encryption key public. Symmetric encryption encrypts and decrypts data using the same public key. In order to speed up data transfer, IPsec first creates a secure connection using asymmetric encryption before switching to symmetric encryption.

What are the IPsec protocols?

IPsec protocols send data packets securely. A data packet is a specific structure that formats and prepares information for network transmission. It consists of a header, payload, and trailer.

A header is a preceding section that contains instructional information for routing the data packet to the correct destination. 

Payload is a term that describes the actual information contained within a data packet.

The trailer is additional data appended to the tail of the payload to indicate the end of the data packet. 

Authentication header (AH)

In order to prevent unauthorized parties from altering the packet contents, the authentication header (AH) protocol appends a header containing sender authentication information. It warns the recipient that the original data packet may have been altered. The computer verifies that the header and the cryptographic hash computation from the payload match when it receives the data packet. A mathematical function that condenses information into a single value is called a cryptographic hash. 

Encapsulating security payload (ESP)

The encapsulating security payload (ESP) protocol encrypts either the payload or the entire IP packet, depending on the IPsec mode that is used. After encryption, ESP appends a header and trailer to the data packet. 

Internet key exchange (IKE)

A mechanism called internet key exchange (IKE) creates a secure connection between two internet-connected devices. In order to send and receive successive data packets, both devices establish security association (SA), which entails discussing encryption keys and methods. 

What are the modes of IPsec?

There are two modes of operation for IPsec, each with varying levels of security. 

Tunnel Mode

The IPsec tunnel mode is suitable for transferring data on public networks as it enhances data protection from unauthorized parties. The computer encrypts all data, including the payload and header, and appends a new header to it. 

Transport Mode

Only the payload of the data packet is encrypted in IPsec transport mode; the IP header is left unaltered. Routers can determine each data packet's destination address thanks to the unencrypted packet header. Therefore, a close and trustworthy network, such safeguarding a direct link between two computers, uses IPsec transit.