IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) is a suite of protocols designed to secure IP communications by authenticating, encrypting, and ensuring the integrity of data packets transmitted over a network. Operating at the network layer (Layer 3 of the OSI model), IPSec protects traffic between devices such as routers, firewalls, VPN gateways, and endpoints, making it a cornerstone technology for virtual private networks (VPNs) and secure site-to-site or remote-access connectivity.
IPSec can function in two modes: Transport Mode, which encrypts only the payload of the IP packet for end-to-end communication between hosts, and Tunnel Mode, which encapsulates and encrypts the entire IP packet, commonly used for VPNs connecting entire networks. It employs key protocols like IKE (Internet Key Exchange) for negotiating cryptographic parameters and managing session keys, as well as AH (Authentication Header) and ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload) for data authentication and encryption.
By combining authentication, integrity, and encryption, IPSec defends against eavesdropping, replay attacks, and packet tampering. It’s widely implemented across enterprise networks, government systems, and cloud infrastructures to enable secure, policy-driven communication, ensuring that data remains confidential and trusted, regardless of where or how it travels.