One disadvantage of extranet is paramount: security. While security is the biggest disadvantage of extranet sites, it's not the only disadvantage, and equal consideration should go to all conceivable disadvantages when evaluating extranet solutions.
Security is crucial, and not absolute in extranet applications.
The security in extranet applications is only as good as the network and security measures. At least in an intranet situation, access is restricted to users within the organization. Conceivably, anyone with the right clearance can access an extranet, so it's vital to exercise strong extranet management.
Control an extranet portal carefully.
With strong encryption, your extranet is almost as safe as an intranet. The key point of weakness even in a good extranet setup is the extranet portal. If login information is lost or misplaced, the wrong person might logon to your extranet portal and gain access to valuable proprietary information. Likewise, a keylogger or other security leak could easily give an outsider access to the extranet portal while appearing to be a legitimate inquiry. Careful logon management is vital, and regular id and password changes can help protect your information.
Give different users different security clearances.
One way in which you can safeguard your sensitive data on an extranet is to give different users different security clearances. Not everyone needs access to all areas of your extranet. If you're concerned with extranet security, protect proprietary information and grant access on a need-to-know basis. Good extranet management basics can drastically reduce your chances of an extranet security breach.
Choose a secure extranet host.
One way in which you can minimize your security exposure is to choose a secure extranet host. When you shop for hosts, look for hosting services with secured facilities where access to information is limited. Ask for detailed information about security protocols, and shop around to make sure you find a place with high-quality, top-of-the-line security systems. Don't sacrifice quality for cost; the cost of losing proprietary information is far higher than the cost for a good extranet provider.
Extranet cost is another disadvantage.
Besides security concerns, extranet solutions are sometimes quite costly. If you maintain extranet infrastructure within your organization, your equipment costs, security costs and personnel costs for maintenance can mount quickly. Unless you're a large organization, hosting your own extranet may be cost-prohibitive and can prevent you from utilizing extranet solutions.
Extranet can remove the personal touch from business transactions.
Client loyalty is based, in part, on personal contact. If you're a nameless, faceless company to your clients, you may have trouble maintaining their loyalty if a better deal comes along. In this way, the extranet technology that can set you apart from your competition can also sever customer bonds.
If you utilize extranet solutions, make it a point to schedule face-time with your clients. Contact clients regularly to ensure customer satisfaction. If you're smart about how you do this, you can use this as a way to solicit feedback on your extranet capabilities at the same time. Consider it a built-in focus group.
 | The difference between extranet and intranet functionality is tied to who can access each site. Before you choose an extranet or intranet for your company, figure out which one is the better fit. |
 | Wondering what is extranet technology? Extranet can be a valuable way for you to connect with your customers, clients and vendors, so find out whether you'd benefit by using this technology. |
Find articles about the difference between extranet and intranet, what is extranet and disadvantage of extranet. |
