What Is it an intranet? What is it for and how does it work?

In today's corporate landscape, where agility and information security are crucial, the intranet stands out as an indispensable tool. Well, what exactly is an intranet?

In this article, we'll explore in detail what an intranet is and how it can be implemented. You'll understand the main advantages and security it offers. We'll also discuss the differences between an intranet and other solutions like a private cloud, helping to clarify common questions and demonstrating how an intranet can be a crucial competitive differentiator for companies seeking to optimize their operations and protect their information.

See this article:

• What is an intranet?
• How does the intranet work?
• What is the difference between an intranet and a private cloud?
• What is needed to set up an intranet?

What is an intranet?

An intranet is a private network exclusive to an organization., used to share information, resources, and services among company members. Unlike the internet, which is public and accessible to everyone, the intranet is restricted and secure, accessible only to authorized employees.

This internal network can include a variety of tools, such as communication portals, document management systems, shared calendars, and business applications, all designed to facilitate communication and collaboration within the company.

Designed to streamline internal processes, the intranet allows organizations to centralize and control access to essential information, reducing the need for physical resources and promoting a more efficient work environment.

Furthermore, the intranet can be customized to meet the specific needs of the company, integrating with other systems and services used by the organization.

In practice, how does the intranet work?

An intranet is a private network within an organization that facilitates communication and information sharing among employees. It operates through internal servers protected by robust security measures, ensuring that only authorized users can access available resources. In practice, employees access the intranet through standard web browsers, using company-provided credentials.

The intranet offers numerous utilities that make it an attractive tool for organizations:

• Centralization of Information: Facilitates quick and easy access to internal policies, procedure manuals, and project documents.
• Effective Collaboration: It offers tools such as shared calendars, discussion forums, and task management platforms to improve collaboration between teams.
• Systems Integration: Allows integration with corporate systems, such as ERP and CRM, improving operational efficiency and decision-making.
• Secure Access: Protects sensitive information through robust security measures, ensuring that only authorized users can access the data.
• Increased Productivity: Centralizes resources and information, reducing redundancy and allowing employees to easily find what they need.
• Improvement in Internal Communication: It provides a controlled environment for the exchange of ideas and information, increasing team cohesion and improving internal communication.

These features make the intranet an essential tool for optimizing operations and strengthening collaboration within organizations.

What is the difference between a private cloud and an intranet?

Although both the private cloud and the intranet are tools aimed at security and efficiency in information management, they have distinct characteristics and functionalities:

• Infrastructure:
  • Intranet: It consists of an organization's exclusive internal network, using local servers to store data and applications. The infrastructure is usually managed by the company itself.
  • Private Cloud: It uses a cloud computing infrastructure dedicated to a single organization, but hosted by a cloud service provider. Management can be done internally or by the provider.
• Access:
  • Intranet: Restricted to authorized users within the corporate network, typically accessed via a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or directly within the company's premises.
  • Private Cloud: Provides secure remote access from anywhere with an internet connection, maintaining an exclusive and protected environment for the organization.
• Flexibility and Scalability:
  • Intranet: Scalability may be limited by the capacity of internal servers and the physical space available for infrastructure expansion.
  • Private Cloud: Highly scalable, allowing you to add resources as needed without worrying about physical limitations, thanks to the cloud provider's infrastructure.
• Maintenance and Management:
  • Intranet: Maintaining and updating servers and the network are the responsibility of the company's IT team.
  • Private Cloud: The cloud service provider typically handles infrastructure maintenance, updates, and security, relieving the burden on in-house IT staff.
• Costs:
  • Intranet: May require a significant initial investment in hardware and software, plus ongoing maintenance and upgrade costs.
  • Private Cloud: It typically operates on a subscription or pay-as-you-go model, which can be more cost-effective in the long run depending on your business needs.

What is needed to set up an intranet?

To build an efficient and secure intranet, it's crucial to consider both the necessary hardware and software. Here are the essential components:

Required hardware:

• Servers:
  • Web Server: Hosts intranet pages and applications.
  • File Server: Stores documents, images, videos, and other files that will be shared on the intranet.
  • Database Server: Manages and stores data used by internal applications.
  • Email Server: (Optional) For internal communication via email.
• Firewalls: They protect the internal network against unauthorized access and external attacks.
• Switches and Routers: They manage data traffic within the internal network and ensure a stable and fast connection.
• Backup Systems: Equipment to perform regular backups of intranet data, ensuring recovery in the event of failures.
• Computers and Network Devices: Equipment used by employees to access the intranet, including desktops, laptops, and mobile devices.
• Storage Units: Network attached storage (NAS) or external storage drives to support large volumes of data.

Required software:

• Server Operating System: Software to manage servers, such as Windows Server, Linux (Ubuntu Server, CentOS), etc.
• Web Server: Software to host the intranet, such as Apache, Nginx, or Microsoft IIS.
• Content Management System (CMS): Tool for creating and managing intranet content, such as SharePoint, WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal.
• Database: Database management software, such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, or Microsoft SQL Server.
• Collaboration Applications: Communication and collaboration tools, such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, or internal instant messaging applications.
• Security Software: Anti-virus, anti-malware, and other security tools to protect intranet data and systems.
• Backup Tools: Software for performing and managing backups, such as Veeam, Acronis, or integrated backup solutions.
• Authentication Systems: Software to manage user authentication and access, such as Active Directory, LDAP, or Single Sign-On (SSO) systems.

Is it worth setting up an intranet?