Q: Is BT IPSec secure, even though it is based on the BT IP network, which forms part of the public internet?

A: Yes.  BT IPSec uses the IP Security protocol to create secure encrypted tunnels over the BT IP Network. Internet Protocol Security standard (IPSec) is a framework of established open standards for securing private communications. IPSec is effectively transparent to the network infrastructure and allows an end-to-end security solution including the access line via any IP network.

Q: Is BT IPSec as secure as BT MPLS?

A: Both can be considered as completely secure, though they achieve this in different ways. You should decide between them on the basis of the applications you are planning to run over your network, rather than any security differences.

Q: What applications can be run over BT IPSec?

A: Any IP applications other than those which are very sensitive to packet delays. For example, BT does not normally recommend running Voice or Video applications over BT IPSec. For such applications, BT would recommend an MPLS solution running a Class of Service scheme, which would provide the network performance guarantees required.

Q: Can I link BT IPSec and BT MPLS networks?

A: Yes, though if you are running a Class of Service scheme over the MPLS network, this cannot be extended over the BT IPSec network.