Your network is configured to allow select business partners access to resources on your internal network through virtual private network (VPN) connections. This is an example of what?

The scenario described reflects the concept of an extranet. An extranet is a private network that allows controlled access to external users, such as business partners, while still maintaining secure boundaries around internal company resources. In this case, the business partners are using virtual private network (VPN) connections to access specific resources on an internal network, highlighting how an extranet enables collaboration and resource sharing with authorized external entities without exposing the entire internal network to public access.

This arrangement enhances security by ensuring that only designated users have access to certain information and services, while still permitting authorized communications and transactions.

In contrast, an intranet typically refers to a private network accessible only to members of an organization. A firewall serves as a security barrier that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, while a DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is a physical or logical subnetwork that separates an internal local area network from other untrusted networks, such as the internet. Thus, the context of enabling select external partners to connect securely points specifically to the definition of an extranet.