We also looked into the security and reliability of these direct communications methods.
Remote access is only as secure as the application communications program being used.
Communication application security depends on the application password capability of the program. There is also a cost to direct remote access in telco POTS or ISDN line tariff charges. VPN is a catch-all term which encompasses several technologies for providing secure remote communications. All have pros and cons. VPN using either the private network or the Internet has the potential to reduce the cost of direct call-in or dedicated line charges.