Remote access must be secured to prevent unauthorized access to company resources. This involves securing the remote access protocol itself, ensuring that users do not share credentials or use weak passwords, and securing the devices used to connect remotely, including bring your own device (BYOD).
- Enable encryption. ...
- Install antivirus and anti-malware. ...
- Ensure all operating systems and applications are up to date. ...
- Enforce a strong password policy. ...
- Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) ...
- Use Virtual Private Network (VPN) ...
- Use two-factor authentication.
What are the best practices for securing remote access?
Best Practices for Securing Remote Access. RAS: The most basic form of VPN remote access is through a RAS. This type of VPN connection is also referred to as a Virtual Private Dial-up Network ... IPSec: IPSec is an IP packet authentication and encryption method. It uses cryptographic keys to protect ...
How to ensure optimum security while working from a remote location?
A mix of strategies is required to achieve optimum security while allowing appropriate, or even maximum, access to your employees while working from a remote location. Let’s dive right in. The first thing that’s required to ensure smooth remote access via a VPN is to plan out a comprehensive network security policy.
How to protect your network from remote access?
So, you have a three-layer line of defense working to protect remote access to your network: anti-virus, firewall, and VPN. The network security team should monitor alerts from these defenses constantly. Adopting two-factor authentication for remote access through VPN further boosts your network security.
Should a company go for IPSec VPN remote access?
A company should go for IPSec VPN remote access if it has a strong networking department with the ability to configure each employee’s hardware device individually (installing client software, enforcing security policies etc.). IPSec VPN connections are also important for an employee who needs widespread access to the company’s network.
How do I protect my domain remotely?
Basic Security Tips for Remote DesktopUse strong passwords. ... Use Two-factor authentication. ... Update your software. ... Restrict access using firewalls. ... Enable Network Level Authentication. ... Limit users who can log in using Remote Desktop. ... Set an account lockout policy.
What should be in a remote access policy?
A remote access policy should cover everything—from the types of users who can be given network access from outside the office to device types that can be used when connecting to the network. Once written, employees must sign a remote access policy acceptance form.
What are the four basic elements of a remote access policy?
Remote access policies consist of the following elements: conditions, permissions, and profiles. We'll discuss each of these elements in turn, and list how each can be used to control remote access attempts by your network clients.
How do I ensure secure remote access?
How to Ensure Secure Remote Access for Work-from-Home EmployeesIssue Secure Equipment to Remote Employees.Implement a Secure Connection for Remote Network Access.Supply a VPN for Secure Remote Access.Empower Remote Employees through Education and Technology.
What are the examples of remote user security policy best practices?
Best Practices For Remote Access SecurityEnable encryption. ... Install antivirus and anti-malware. ... Ensure all operating systems and applications are up to date. ... Enforce a strong password policy. ... Use Mobile Device Management (MDM) ... Use Virtual Private Network (VPN) ... Use two-factor authentication.More items...•
Which of the below are correct protocol for remote access?
The primary remote access protocols in use today are the Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP), Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE), Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), Remote Access Services (RAS), and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
What are the five elements of a remote access security readiness review?
The review examined cybersecurity at the governance layer and identified five critical pillars key to cybersecurity readiness: culture, people, structure, processes, and resources.
What is remote access domain?
... is the domain in which a mobile user can access the local network remotely, usually through a VPN (Figure 7). ...
What is remote access capabilities?
Remote access is the ability for an authorized person to access a computer or network from a geographical distance through a network connection. Remote access enables users to connect to the systems they need when they are physically far away.
What should a company consider when looking at adding remote employees?
These expectations should include work hours, availability, deadlines, meeting scheduling and attendance, work submission and more. When setting these requirements consider the differences between remote and in-house workers.
Why is secure remote access important?
A secure remote access system protects your employees from web-based threats such as phishing attacks, ransomware and malware while they're logged in to your company's network. These cyber incidents can lead to unauthorized access and use of both the company's business data and the employee's personal data.
What is an IACS device?
1. Industrial Automation and Control System (IACS) Control system and any complementary hardware and software components that have. been installed and configured to operate in an IACS.
Why must you create a remote access policy for VPN?
Remote access VPN can be an attractive ground for hackers and malicious attackers, so an organization's server must be protected by a security or network administrator. By having an effective VPN remote access policy, you can reduce the risk of your organization's network assets and support calls from end users.
What constraints are available for use in a remote access policy?
Once a remote access policy has authorized a connection, it can also set connection restrictions (called constraints) based on the following: Encryption strength. Idle timeout. IP packet filters.
What is a VPN policy?
A VPN security policy is a policy that defines. just about everything that anyone would need to know about your VPN. It defines. things like who can use the VPN, what they can use it for, and what it is that. keeps them from using improperly or maliciously.
What does a network policy include?
Network policies are sets of conditions, constraints, and settings that allow you to designate who is authorized to connect to the network and the circumstances under which they can or cannot connect.
What is the line of defense for remote access?
So, you have a three-layer line of defense working to protect remote access to your network: anti-virus, firewall, and VPN. The network security team should monitor alerts from these defenses constantly.
What is remote access VPN?
The most basic form of VPN remote access is through a RAS. This type of VPN connection is also referred to as a Virtual Private Dial-up Network (VPDN) due to its early adoption on dial-up internet.
Why is IPSec VPN important?
IPSec VPN connections are also important for an employee who needs widespread access to the company’s network. A word of warning: If you are using IPSec VPN for remote access, but you are not deploying Internet Key Exchange (IKE, certificates) as an authentication method, the connection will be vulnerable.
Why is IPSEC used?
This allows IPSec to protect data transmission in a variety of ways. IPSec is used to connect a remote user to an entire network. This gives the user access to all IP based applications. The VPN gateway is located at the perimeter of the network, and the firewall too is setup right at the gateway.
What is client side VPN?
The client-side software is responsible for establishing a tunneling connection to the RAS and for the encryption of data. RAS VPNs are appropriate for small companies, requiring a remote access for a few employees. However, most serious businesses have moved on from this basic form of VPN connection.
What do people use in an office?
Most, if not all, of the day-to-day tasks performed in offices today rely heavily on technology, mainly computers, laptops , tablets & smart devices. As the world and the global economy become increasingly interconnected, members of the staff too are required to go mobile. Sometimes, the need arises to work from home or somewhere away from the office, plus, a lot of companies have more than one office, in different parts of the world, and that requires them to have secure communications and exchange of data between offices.
Should a company use IPSEC VPN?
A company should go for IPSec VPN remote access if it has a strong networking department with the ability to configure each employee’s hardware device individually (installing client software, enforcing security policies etc.).
What is endpoint device independence?
Focus on corporate assets, not devices : As Farah noted, endpoint device independence (or lack thereof ) can play a huge role in facilitating (or inhibiting) remote access. But enabling access from a broad range of devices does not mean ignoring device type or security posture.
Is secure remote access a right?
A decade ago, secure remote access was a right enjoyed by a privileged few: road warriors, executives, sales forces, etc. But ubiquitous high-speed Internet connectivity, coupled with explosive growth in mobile devices, have increased expectations. Meanwhile, new mandates continue to accelerate demand for safe, anytime, anywhere access to corporate networks and services.
Can remote access be determined without a top-down need assessment?
But you cannot determine that without a top-down needs and risk assessment. Consider secure cloud apps : Remote access users have long fallen into two camps: those requiring secure network access and those requiring secure application access — primarily messaging.
What is RDP server?
RDP is a protocol originally developed by Microsoft, which enables remote connection to a compute system. RDP is also available for MacOs, Linux and other operating systems. The RDP server listens on TCP port 3389 and UDP port 3389, and accepts connections from RDP clients.
Who needs privileged accounts?
Many organizations need to provide privileged accounts for two types of users: employees and external users, such as technicians and contractors. However, organizations using external vendors or contractors must protect themselves from potential threats from these sources.
What is a VDI gateway?
VDI solutions provide dedicated gateway solutions to enable secure remote access.
Can an attacker compromise a VPN?
When an attacker compromises a VPN (virtual private network), they can easily gain access to the rest of the network. Historically, many companies deployed VPNs primarily for technical roles, enabling them to access key IT systems. Today, all users, including non-technical roles, might access systems remotely using VPN. The problem is that many old firewall rules allow access for VPN clients to almost anything on the network.
Is remote access technology progressing?
Remote access technology made great progress. There are many new ways for users to access computing resources remotely, from a variety of endpoint devices. Here are some of the technologies enabling secure remote access at organizations today.
What is the most important security asset for remote workers?
Perhaps the most important security asset for a remote worker is a high level of vigilance when it comes to protecting the company’s IT resources. Employees should receive education and documentation on best practices for remote access security. While coronavirus precautions are in place, face-to-face or in-classroom training may not be possible.
What is NIST security?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers some good ideas on the subject at hand in their document “Security Concerns With Remote Access”. Of great benefit is their well-honed definition of the term remote access.
Is it safe to access confidential company data from a remote device?
Accessing confidential company data from a remote device significantly increases security risks, and can cause considerable problems for both the worker and the organization.
