It Case

It Case

Del Monte Provides Secure Connections for Telecommuters: Textbook Case 2

Discussion Questions
1. What is a primary concern of making a private network available to employees who are outside the office? Why?

-The challenge with providing access to corporate networks to people outside the network is security.   Opening up communications over the internet, Del Monte could potentially make its network more vulnerable to hackers.
2. What technologies did Del Monte employ to address this primary concern?

- One technology employed to employees and partners was a secure website using VPN authentication and Cisco’s Secure Access Control Server. The user can access only the portions of the network and data that they have been authorized to access
-For employees that work from home, Del Monte supplies a Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliance.   This is a network device that provides a firewall and intrusion prevention system to keep hackers out.   This device also encrypts and safeguards data flowing over the network.  
Telecommuters connect their computers and telephones to the device and enjoy the same quality of network service as those in the corporate office.
In addition, employees who work from home can even use the system to attend meetings through videoconferencing software.

Critical thinking questions
1. What benefits do Del Monte and its employees enjoy by providing extranet access to the Del Monte network?  
-Del Monte benefits in that it saves money by removing expensive T1 lines from remote offices and replaces them with high-speed internet connections. The system is also easy to manage and expand.
-Del Monte could easily add new security features as they grow and as are needed.
-The company’s employees benefit from such a set up because they are able to access all the information they need from home or any other remote location conveniently without having to be in the office.   Flexibility and convenience are the true rewards....