A collection of security procedures or technologies known as “secure remote access” is intended to stop unwanted access to a company’s digital assets and the loss of confidential information. Numerous techniques, including VPN, TSplus Remote Access, multifactor authentication, and endpoint security, are all part of the category of secure remote access.
Today’s IT environment must include secure remote access because of the ever-evolving threat landscape and the rise in remote workers brought on by the Covid epidemic. Stricter cybersecurity regulations, user education, and the creation of best practices for security are necessary for success.
How is remote access security implemented?
- Stop the expansion of the attack surface caused by remote access – Setting up remote access might come with hazards for the company. Specifically, ransomware assaults will attempt to access a system through any port that is open by searching for remote desktop protocol (RDP) servers. In a similar vein, avoid opening remote access ports unless firewalls are set up to react only to IP addresses that system administrators have verified.
- Adopt multifactor authentication – Two factor authentication (2FA) asks users to give “something they know and something they have,” such as an authentication token that can be obtained from a smartphone app like DUO or a device that generates the token for you. This can guarantee that access to company resources is granted only to verified users.
- Safeguard all remote users’ devices and endpoints in contrast to protecting endpoints for remote users who often use various devices during a business day, securing endpoints in a datacenter is very simple. Installing antivirus software on all endpoint devices—PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android—is recommended. To access business resources, all personnel should be required by security standards to maintain current protection. Employees should receive direction and support when needed to help them create safe access to the company.
- Employ virtual private networks (VPNs): A lot of customers who are located remotely may wish to connect using unreliable network connections, such as unsecured Wi-Fi. VPNs can remove that danger, but in order to prevent vulnerabilities that may arise from outdated software client versions, VPN endpoint software also needs to be maintained up to date. So, it must be added to the organization’s security management practices for updated VPN endpoint software.
- Normalize logs and security information tracking: To guarantee that employees can access their work from any location, changes may need to be made to both SIEM and firewall geo-fencing or geo-blocking features. SIEM tools currently in use that log traffic from client devices may suddenly consider users logging in from their home IP addresses as an anomaly.
- Every employee and anyone else using company resources should be reminded, as part of their security and compliance training, not to click on any unsolicited emails or the links inside them.
- A worker’s home computing assets, such as a computer, laptop, tablet, and smartphone, should be covered by acceptable usage standards for remote workers. This includes upgrading any antivirus and VPN software that may be installed on employee-owned devices.
In what ways does Secure Remote Access employ technology?
Instead of being a single solution, secure remote access is a group of technologies that work together to give businesses the protection they want when their employees work from home or other remote places. Among them are:
Endpoint security comprises policies that specify how remote devices are to be utilized in the organization’s systems as well as software, including antivirus software, for endpoint computers. Patch management and the avoidance of downloading or storing vital business data on distant devices are two examples of this.
- Virtual Private Network (VPN): VPNs are quite popular for remote access since they enable users to connect to a private network over an encrypted tunnel while using unsecured distant Wi Fi, such as at coffee shops and bookstores.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): As the name suggests, ZTNA solutions demand re authentication prior to any transaction and do not make any assumptions on the security of a connection. Higher security levels for the data and applications of the organization are provided by this.
- Network access control (NAC): Two-factor authentication (2FA), endpoint security tools, policy enforcement, and education are some of the technologies used to regulate network access.
- Single sign-on (SSO): SSO allows users to access all of their resources and applications with just one set of login credentials.
What advantages does Secure Remote Access offer?
A secure remote access plan has various advantages. Among them are:
Safe access from anywhere on any device – The same degree of extremely secure access that users had while at work is now available to them. Depending on their roles and responsibilities, access controls might grant each user access to particular programs and data. This is the most important advantage of having a safe remote access strategy since a lot of people will continue to work from home even after the Covid problem passes.
Strong endpoint security – Without corresponding endpoint protection, secure remote access is useless. Due to the fact that people are using more and more gadgets for work, computers, tablets, and smartphones need to be protected and secure. It adds more security and authorization element in Companies security system. Furthermore, endpoint security features on employee owned devices must to be equivalent to those given by the company.
Secure and safe online browsing – Many web-based and internet-focused applications are essential to an organization’s IT environment. Therefore, users need protection not only while they are connected to the organization’s on-premises resources but also whenever they are connected to the internet. Protecting users against web-based malware threats like ransomware and phishing attempts is part of secure remote access.
Increases knowledge of security concerns – A workforce that is becoming more mobile poses a number of new security challenges, many of which can best be addressed through education and training. The significance of proper cybersecurity hygiene may be consistently emphasized by IT and security organizations through the upkeep and enforcement of security policies and best practices.
