OBSERVATIONS

When selecting the type of connection best suited to the needs of a permanent workstation for telework, we must analyze the typical data transfer needs generated by this type of use.
The first important point is that the volume of information transferred over the Internet between the teleworker and the telework center will be quite high, especially if we consider that the majority of telework applications (due to security concerns-user identification-but also for reasons of simple operativity) implement videoconferencing modes. Another point to consider is that in a telework session the flow of data is symmetrical: that is, from the teleworker to the telework center (or to other teleworkers) and viceversa. In light of the above, the preferred type of connection will be broadband (given the considerable quantity of data handled) and symmetrical (since the quantities of data transmitted and received are more or less equal). As we have seen, the type of connection that typically best meets these needs is HDSL, since it is broadband (up to 8 Mbps), symmetrical, and active 24 hours a day.
In Italy, HDSL connections typically target the business market. The offers of the various provider companies are constantly evolving, and often include auxiliary services at increasingly competitive prices.

The problem of security and the confidentiality of the information transiting on the Internet is closely linked to the question of connectivity and is extremely important in the case of telework. The problem is of great current interest and relevance, since it invests nearly all the business transactions made over the Internet.
Although there are many ways of "protecting" the information that transits on the Internet, the so-called SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protocol has emerged as an industry security standard and is implemented by all the servers (secure servers) that offer commercial services on the Internet.
The mechanism, developed by RSA Labs, is really quite simple. At the moment of connection (handshaking) between the user (client) and the secure server, the data is encrypted by a double public-and-private-key system of up to 128-bit length.
The encryption system makes it impossible for anyone succeeding in intercepting the transmission to decipher the data.
Transmission and reception of data on a secure connection with an SSL Secure Server is signaled by the browser (Internet navigation program) with specific warning messages, and the page addresses carry the prefix Https.
Furthermore, the browser window in which the documents are displayed includes the icon of a padlock in the lower right-hand corner (in the case of Internet Explorer) or at the bottom left (in the case of Netscape Navigator). Double-clicking the icon will display the server's SSL digital certificate data (name of the certification authority and the issue and expiry dates).

   

Specific applications (for example, those created especially for telework) will feature icons like those reproduced above to warn the user he/she is working over a protected connection.

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