extranet

extranet

[′ek·strə‚net]

(computer science)

A secure, Internet-based private network that allows organizations to share information with vendors, partners, customers, and so on; access requires either a password or digital encryption.

extranet

(World-Wide Web)

The extension of a company's intranet out onto the Internet, e.g. to allow selected customers, suppliers and mobile workers to access the company's private data and applications via the World-Wide Web. This is in contrast to, and usually in addition to, the company's public website which is accessible to everyone. The difference can be somewhat blurred but generally an extranet implies real-time access through a firewall of some kind.

Such facilities require very careful attention to security but are becoming an increasingly important means of delivering services and communicating efficiently.

extranet

A secured website on the Internet for customers or business partners and not the general public. To gain access, users must establish an account with identification and an authentication method such as a password, security token or biometric. An extranet can provide access to research, current inventories, internal databases, electronic teaching platforms, virtually any information that customers or associates have permission to view. Many extranets use virtual private networks (VPNs) to encrypt data in transit. Contrast with intranet. See Microsoft SharePoint, EDI and virtual data room.