When data travels across the internet, it is exposed to interception, tampering, and spoofing. IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) is one of the foundational technologies used to secure this communication at the network level, especially in VPNs and enterprise networking. This article explains what IPsec is, how it works, and where it is used in practice. What is IPsec? IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) is a suite of protocols used to secure IP communications by: encrypting data authenticating data sources ensuring data integrity during transmission It operates at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model, meaning it protects all IP traffic between two endpoints rather than individual applications. In simple terms, IPsec creates a secure tunnel for data to travel across untrusted networks like the internet. Why IPsec exists By default, IP traffic has no built-in security.…