System, method and computer program product for accessing at least one virtual private network

A method implemented by a Virtual Private Network (VPN) client, the method comprising:

• prior to establishing and maintaining a VPN access point connection, installing or updating one or more VPN policies by receiving a selection of a Security Policy Database (SPD) from which to install or update the one or more VPN policies, identifying an internet access point via which the SPD is accessible, establishing a data connection to the internet access point to thereby establish a data connection to the SPD via which to receive the one or more VPN policies, and installing or storing the one or more VPN policies,
• after installing or updating the one or more VPN policies, define one or more VPN access points, wherein each VPN access point comprises an internet access point via which the VPN client is capable of accessing a VPN gateway,
• wherein each VPN access point also comprises a VPN policy, wherein the VPN policy is selected from at least one VPN policy installed on an apparatus, wherein the VPN policy specifies at least one security policy defining security for traffic across the VPN gateway, and
• wherein a VPN is a logical network located within one or more physical networks, wherein the internet access point of each VPN access point comprises a physical access point distinct from the apparatus, wherein each physical access point is configured to provide the apparatus with access to the one or more physical networks within which the VPN is located;
• and
• after defining the one or more VPN access points, activate one or more of the VPN access points in order to access the VPN using the one or more VPN access points that have been activated, wherein accessing the VPN establishes a connection to the internet access point associated with a respective one of the one or more VPN access points that have been selected in order to establish a secure tunnel.

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable storage medium and computer-readable program code portions being configured to, with a processor, cause an apparatus of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) client to at least:

• prior to establishing and maintaining a VPN access point connection, install or update one or more VPN policies by receiving a selection of a Security Policy Database (SPD) from which to install or update the one or more VPN policies, identifying an internet access point via which the SPD is accessible, establishing a data connection to the internet access point to thereby establish a data connection to the SPD via which to receive the one or more VPN policies, and installing or storing the one or more VPN policies,
• after installing or updating the one or more VPN policies, define one or more VPN access points, wherein each VPN access point comprises an internet access point via which the VPN client is capable of accessing a VPN gateway,
• wherein each VPN access point also comprises a VPN policy, wherein the VPN policy is selected from at least one VPN policy installed on an apparatus, wherein the VPN policy specifies at least one security policy defining security for traffic across the VPN gateway, and
• wherein a VPN is a logical network located within one or more physical networks, wherein the internet access point of each VPN access point comprises a physical access point distinct from the apparatus, wherein each physical access point is configured to provide the apparatus with access to the one or more physical networks within which the VPN is located;
• and
• after defining the one or more VPN access points, activate one or more of the VPN access points in order to access the VPN using the one or more VPN access points that have been activated, wherein accessing the VPN establishes a connection to the internet access point associated with a respective one of the one or more VPN access points that have been selected in order to establish a secure tunnel.