SSL VPN (Secure Socket Layer Virtual Private Network)

Gartner has stated that in the near future "SSL VPNs will be the primary remote-access method for more than two-thirds of business teleworking employees, more than three-quarters of contractors and more than 90% of casual employee access (0.8 probability)."

SSL VPNs have changed the face of VPN access by eliminating complex client configuration and adding the ability to control access at a granular level. SSL VPNs can also be set up quickly and administered with ease.

Various software and hardware solutions are available, with some solutions integrating seamlessly with existing firewalls. Because of the granular access control mechanisms available with SSL VPNs, they can be used to give employees remote access to general internal resources, or to very specific resources in the case of contractors, partners and other semi-trusted parties. This flexibility makes SSL VPN a very cost-effective method of easily administering multiple remote access accounts. 

IPSec VPN (Internet Protocol Security Virtual Private Network)

Despite the advances made with SSL VPN technology, IPSEC VPNs still play useful roles in network security.

Site-to-site VPNs and other static configurations that do not require user intervention are ideal for IPSEC VPNs. Most firewall solutions have this technology built in, making country-wide networks less expensive and easy to set up.