Ulkoverkko

Ulkoverkko, literally “external network” in Finnish, is a term used in information technology to describe the portion of an organization’s computer network that extends beyond its internal perimeter. It includes networks and services that are accessible from outside the local intranet, such as the public Internet, partner networks, cloud services, and remote sites. The ulkoverkko is contrasted with the internal network (intranet) and with extranets that are selectively accessible to external partners.

Because it interfaces with untrusted networks, the ulkoverkko requires robust security measures. Common architectural patterns include demilitarized zones (DMZs) hosting externally reachable services, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and encryption through VPNs and TLS. Access control, monitoring, and regular patching are essential to mitigate threats.

Topology and management focus on protecting data and services while ensuring availability and performance. An ulkoverkko may include data center edge devices, cloud integrations, and connections to branch offices. IT administrators manage routing, DNS, NAT, and security policies to control how traffic enters and leaves the perimeter.

Use cases typically hosted on the ulkoverkko include public-facing websites, email gateways, application programming interfaces (APIs), customer portals, and partner or supplier extranets. The term is often discussed alongside intranets and extranets, describing the part of a network that connects the organization to the wider world while maintaining security and operational controls.