An analysis of VPN solutions and best practices for use in conjunction with cyber attack and defend exercises

• Main Author: Sherman, Michael A.
• Other Authors: Irvine, Cynthia E.
• Format: Others
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
• Subjects: Extranets (Computer networks); Cyberterrorism
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/1345

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited === An effective method of practicing cyber attack and defend techniques is through cyber-exercises, coordinated over the Internet. The Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an effective way to link cyber attack and defend teams, providing for the encryption of exercise traffic that transits the public network infrastructure. However, VPNs and the technologies and devices behind them are not yet widely understood. Research and evaluation of VPN solutions will identify those most conducive to supporting a cyber-exercise. Users demand a solution that is secure, reliable, and easy to employ. The research in this thesis applies directly to the selection and implementation of an optimal VPN solution to support cyber-exercises. === Major, United States Marine Corps