Frame Relay or VPN

In addition to offering cost savings over Frame Relay, Cisco VPN solutions can meet or exceed Frame Relay performance measures.

Increased network security-
1.Frame Relay relies on traffic separation for data transport security. Although this method helps ensure that no one will accidentally gain access to your traffic, it does not prevent someone from illegally attempting to access your traffic. Because Frame Relay data is sent in cleartext, if someone does gain access to your data, they can read every word of it.
2. VPNs based on Cisco technology, however, offer 3DES and AES encryption methods, so your data is secure whether or not someone attempts to intercept traffic. Cisco MPLS VPN solutions offer the same type of logical traffic separation as Frame Relay. However, MPLS traffic can be encrypted by setting up IPSec tunnels through the MPLS network.

The net effect: Cisco VPNs are never less secure than Frame Relay, and in most cases are demonstrably more secure.