The adoption of Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) will help Rapid freight in enhancing its service delivery, which will promote customers satisfaction. The use of converged networks, as well as converged communications helps in integrating data, voice and video solutions into a single IP based infrastructure. The integration helps employees whether in office or on move in accessing enabled communication applications that facilitate access to business process over any network. The greater flexibility that accompanies such integration is very beneficial as it increases customer satisfaction. However, the integration evokes issues of security.
Therefore, the implementation of MAN endangers the security of data transmitted over its network. MAN is a network that joins separate networks Local Area Networks (LAN) using high-speed resources such as optic fiber. The MAN then offers up-links to a Wide Area Network (WAN) and the internet. The connectivity to the internet will aggravate the security issues of the Rapid freight network. One of the main security risks that accompany MAN is the shared medium, where all information transmitted over the network is accessible in all the nodes. For instance, in a MAN, a traffic analyzer can read all the information transmitted over the network.
In many instances, MAN belongs to single owners and therefore, security issues do not receive priority in comparison to the performance and economic aspect of the network. In adopting the MAN, Rapid freight will encourage its customers to pay for their services online through its electronic payment system. This will pose a great insecurity issue as hackers may locate weakness in its network and use it to access the codes of the customers’ credit cards and hackers can use their cards to make unwarranted purchases.
Similarly, because of the increased competition in the fright industry, some competing firms may use unethical tactics to get a competitive edge over Rapid Freight Corporation. Because the MAN is usually joins the WAN over the internet, some firms they may hire hackers to access the Rapid freight MAN and destroy sensitive files, which may greatly compromise the quality of services offered by Rapid freight causing customers dissatisfaction (White, 2010).
Therefore, Rapid freight will require securing its MAN appropriately in order to overcome the security challenges that accompany MAN. Rapid freight Corporations should implement Group Encrypted Transport VPN security system, which provides a standard-based IPSec security model. The Figure 1 below illustrates an architectural diagram of a Group Encrypted Transport VPN security system.
The model operates on the concept of trusted group members where trusted members use common security methodology that is independent of any point-to-point IPSec tunnel association. The system has a key server, which assigns every trusted group member keys and policies. The model offers various security benefits that entail: offering data security and transport authentication. This provision is essential as it enables in realizing security compliance and internal control through encrypting all WAN traffic. In addition, it offers an easy membership control via a centralized key server (Cisco, 2012).
Therefore, by adopting the Group Encrypted Transport VPN security system, Rapid freight Corporations will greatly boost its network security, thereby gaining a competitive advantage over its competing brands through avoiding unauthorized access of its network.
Reference List
Cisco. (2012). Cisco Group Encrypted Transport VPN. Web.
White, C. (2010). Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s Approach. Belmont: Cengage Learning.