IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) operates at what layer of the OSI model?

IPSec operates at Layer 3 of the OSI model, which is the Network layer. This is significant because Layer 3 is responsible for the delivery of packets from the source to the destination across multiple networks. IPSec provides a suite of protocols that ensure secure communication over an IP network by implementing various security mechanisms such as encryption and authentication.

By functioning at this layer, IPSec can protect any traffic that is carried by the Internet Protocol, making it versatile for securing different types of applications and services that rely on IP. This ability to secure traffic between devices across potentially insecure networks is one of the main benefits of using IPSec.