Your business needs might require that confidential data be exchanged between the client computers and the Web server. You can help ensure that this information is safeguarded on the network by using encryption. Encryption is a cryptographic process that helps prevent unauthorized users from viewing the encrypted data.

Figure 3.6 illustrates the process for encrypting confidential data that is exchanged between client computers and the Web server.

Figure 3.6   Encrypting Confidential Data Exchanged with Clients

The method you select for encrypting the data exchanged between the client computers and the Web server is based on a number of factors. You can encrypt the data exchanged between clients by using:

•	Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) for users accessing the Web sites and applications hosted on the Web server.
•	Internet Protocol security (IPsec) or VPNs for administrators who remotely manage the Web sites and applications hosted on the Web server.