Where should VPN tunnels typically terminate in an organization’s network?

VPN tunnels should typically terminate at the perimeter of an organization’s network. This approach effectively establishes a secure boundary between the internal network and external connections. By terminating at the perimeter, the organization can control and monitor incoming and outgoing traffic, ensuring that only authorized users access sensitive internal resources.

Terminating VPN tunnels at the perimeter also allows for centralized management of security policies and access controls. This setup is crucial because it enables the implementation of robust security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection, and prevention systems, which can inspect and filter the traffic before it enters the internal network.

Additionally, a perimeter termination point ensures that the organization's internal resources remain isolated from direct exposure to external networks, minimizing security risks. It allows for a strong, well-defined point of entry where security protocols can be rigorously applied.

In contrast, terminating VPN tunnels at endpoints could create vulnerabilities as each device would need to handle its own security measures, potentially leading to inconsistent enforcement. Terminating at the core network would also pose challenges, as this area is meant for data routing and switching rather than access control. Lastly, terminating at the local area network (LAN) could expose internal resources to direct access from external users, which undermines the security goals of a VPN.