Microsoft’s support of the IP Security (IPSec) standard was enhanced with the release of Windows Vista this year, and interest in the technology will likely grow with the introduction of Windows 2008. For smaller organizations, IPSec could prove to be a cheap alternative to other network access control (NAC) technologies, or a stepping stone to a full implementation of Microsoft's Network Access Protection (NAP) in large enterprises. Either way, it’s time for organizations to take a closer look at IPSec’s capabilities.
Since Windows 2000, IPSec has been included in every Microsoft Windows desktop and server operating system. As a staple of the operating system, it’s surprising that more companies don't take advantage of the technology, but many IT professionals still labor under the notion that IPSec is a VPN technology only used for remote connectivity.
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