DevOps Dictionary

OpenVPN is an open-source virtual private network (VPN) solution that creates an encrypted tunnel between a client device and a VPN server, letting users and services securely access private networks over untrusted networks like the public internet. It addresses the problem of protecting data in transit and controlling access to internal systems by using TLS (the same cryptographic protocol used by HTTPS) to authenticate endpoints and negotiate encryption keys, then encapsulating traffic so it can traverse common transports such as UDP or TCP. With OpenVPN, remote employees, CI runners, or cross-environment services can reach internal endpoints as if they were on the same network while keeping traffic confidential and tamper-resistant; without it, traffic is more exposed to interception, credential theft, and ad hoc firewall exceptions that are harder to audit and maintain. This gap exists because OpenVPN centralizes identity checks and encryption, rather than relying on each application to implement secure connectivity on its own.