Remote-access Guide

define remote access control policy

by Eulalia Fisher MD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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A remote access policy statement, sometimes called a remote access control policy, is becoming an increasingly important element of an overall NSP and is a separate document that partners each and every remote user with the goals of an IT department.

Remote access policy is a document which outlines and defines acceptable methods of remotely connecting to the internal network. It is essential in large organization where networks are geographically dispersed and extend into insecure network locations such as public networks or unmanaged home networks.

Full Answer

How to implement a successful remote work policy?

What a successful remote work policy looks like

  • Availability. Be clear in your remote work policy about your expectations surrounding your employees’ availability.
  • Technology and equipment. Employees need the right tools to complete their work while telecommuting. ...
  • Security. Companies must consider the security of their business data while permitting employees to work remotely.
  • Legality and liability. ...

How to enable remote control?

  • Go back to System Preferences and click Security & Privacy.
  • Click the Firewall tab.
  • Click Firewall Options or Advanced.
  • If "Remote Management" doesn’t appear in the box with the phrase "Allow incoming connections," click the + to add it, and then select Allow incoming connections.

What are remote access standards?

Standard. Firewalls and other technology will be used to restrict Remote Access to only approved Remote Access mechanisms. To be approved, Remote Access mechanisms must include the following technical capabilities: Allow only identified, authenticated and authorized users to connect. Provide for strong encryption of traffic.

How to program remote control without manual?

  • Common method #1: Hold the device key for a few seconds and enter the first code listed.
  • Common method #2: Hold the power button until the LED blinks and press the device key, followed by the first code.
  • Common method #3: Hold the device key down until the LED blinks several times, and then release the key followed by entering the first code.

More items...

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How a remote access policy may be used and its purpose?

The purpose of a remote access policy is to outline the expectations of those users' behaviors while connecting to your network in an attempt to safeguard that network from viruses, threats or other security incidents.

What is a access policy?

n. Principles or procedures that control the conditions under which individuals have permission and ability to consult a repository's holdings.

Why is a remote access policy definition a best practice for handling remote employees and authorized users who require remote access from home or on business trips?

A remote access policy aims to keep corporate data safe from exposure to hackers, malware, and other cybersecurity risks while allowing employees the flexibility to work from remote locations.

Is access a policy?

An AccessPolicy defines the permissions and duration of access to an Asset. This topic gives an overview of the AccessPolicy entity and also demonstrates how to execute various operations with the Media Services REST API.

What are the key elements of remote access policy?

Data and network encryption standards. Information security and confidentiality. Email usage. Physical and virtual device security.

Why is it a best practice of remote access policy definition to require employees and fill in a separate VPN remote access authorization form?

Why is it a best practice of a remote access policy definition to require employees and users to fill in a separate VPN remote access authorization form? It is best practice of a remote access policy as it makes sure there are no repudiation of the user so that only authorized person can access the important documents.

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...•

What are the three types of access control?

Three main types of access control systems are: Discretionary Access Control (DAC), Role Based Access Control (RBAC), and Mandatory Access Control (MAC). DAC is a type of access control system that assigns access rights based on rules specified by users.

What is access control with example?

Access control is a security measure which is put in place to regulate the individuals that can view, use, or have access to a restricted environment. Various access control examples can be found in the security systems in our doors, key locks, fences, biometric systems, motion detectors, badge system, and so forth.

What Is a Remote Access Policy?

For example, sales personnel can now use tablets and other mobile devices to connect remotely to their office networks while on client calls and bring up data that may be important for closing deals . Recent events have further boosted the number of remote workers to an estimated 42% of the US workforce.

Why Is a Remote Access Policy Important?

If a remote access policy is not in place, such risky behavior could go on unmitigated, without the organization finding out about it until after the occurrence of a breach.

What is remote work?

Remote work has brought with it a few challenges, including potential computer and network security risks. There is a real need for guidelines surrounding remote access, along with other policies. A remote access policy serves as a guide for remote users connecting to the network. It extends the policies governing network and computer use in ...

Why is password policy important?

It helps ensure that only those users who need it are given network access, as long as their devices are also compliant with the guidelines. When implemented properly, it helps safeguard the network from potential security threats.

What is RAS in IT?

Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS) provides secure remote access for your networks out of the box. It features granular permission policies that enable administrators to enforce access restrictions and settings based on the end-users device or Active Directory group, helping ease the workloads of IT administrators by not requiring any further configuration.

What are the considerations when formulating a remote access policy?

Other considerations when formulating a remote access policy include but are not limited to the following: Standardized hardware and software, including firewalls and antivirus/antimalware programs. Data and network encryption standards. Information security and confidentiality. Email usage.

How to ensure that you do not miss anything when updating your remote access policy?

To ensure that you do not miss anything when updating your remote access policy, consider your organizational, legal, contractual and regulatory obligations when you compile the list of policy requirements. After that, identify the procedural and technical controls required to fulfill the policy, making sure to reinforce or replace existing controls that have not been effective.

Who must obtain prior approval from Information Security Office for remote access to Connecticut College?

4.3.6 Organizations or individuals who wish to implement non­standard Remote Access solutions to the Connecticut College production network must obtain prior approval from Information Security Office

Who approves exceptions to the policy?

Any exception to the policy must be approved by the Chief Information Security Officer in advance.

What is the responsibility of Connecticut College employees, students, and College Affiliates?

It is the responsibility of Connecticut College employees, students, and College Affiliates with remote access privileges to Connecticut College's campus network to ensure that their remote connection is given the same information security consideration as the user's on­site connection to Connecticut College.

What is the purpose of the Connecticut College network policy?

These standards are designed to minimize the potential security exposure to Connecticut College from damages which may result from unauthorized use of Connecticut College resources. Potential damages include the loss of sensitive or college confidential data, intellectual property, damage to public image, and damage to critical Connecticut College internal systems.

What is an academic VPN?

a. Academic VPN allows all valid employees and students to access the College network resources.

Can you use VPN on a computer in Connecticut?

VPN and general access to the Internet for recreational use by immediate household members through the Connecticut College network on college­owned computers is prohibited. The Connecticut College employee bears responsibility for the consequences should the access be misused as outlined in section 5.3 Non Compliance.

Why Is a Remote Access Policy Necessary?

The numerous types of mobile devices and the different ways to connect pose challenges for the IT department. Devices can include cell phones, tablets, laptops, and any other device a remote worker relies on to conduct business. They can be company owned and secured, personally owned and authorized by a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, or a combination. Each class of device has its own set of security challenges. According to the National Institute for Standards and Technology’s Guidelines for Managing the Security of Mobile Devices in the Enterprise, “…Security controls available for laptops today are quite different than those available for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile device types.” Since different devices demand different controls, the policy has to detail what is allowed, compliant, and secure. The policy should answer the following questions:

What Is Remote Access?

Remote access is any connection made to an organization's internal network and systems from an external source by a device or host. Remote locations can be almost anywhere in the world, from the employee’s home to an off-site office, hotels, transportation hubs, and cafes.

What Problems Arise Without a Remote Access Policy?

Therefore, consequences for misuse can also be clearly outlined to compel compliance and appropriate precautions for data use and access. Elements such as firewalls, connectivity guidelines, personal use restrictions, and antivirus updates can help IT prevent both malicious and accidental loss and disruption of corporate information assets. The remote access control policies also provide protections for confidentiality, intellectual property, and information compliance.

What is VPN policy?

Policies for VPN remote access can be standardized. These policies “shore up” and prevent the use of rogue devices and access by non-authorized users , including the worker's family members or housemates. The policy also enforces proper email protocols to protect information from being sent through unsecured or untrusted sources, and also provides rules that limit or prohibit split tunnel configurations that allow mobile users to access both secure and unsecure networks simultaneously.

What is telecommuting?

“Telecommuting,” a term coined in the 1970s, has experienced explosive growth in today’s era of mobile connectivity. Now called distributed offices, remote work, telework, mobile work, smart work, and work shifting, many people are finding flexibility and increased productivity conducting business away from a centralized office environment. Researchers have long studied the benefits of remote work - from the successes that remote work had on traffic reduction during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics to the 2016 findings by a Gallup survey on the increased hours for remote work.

What percentage of people work remotely?

According to research conducted by Gallup, 43 percent of workers in the U.S. worked remotely at least some of the time in 2016. Remote workers report higher job satisfaction and flexibility, experience fewer distractions and interruptions, and are more productive. Companies experience less absenteeism, less stress on office accommodations, and realize greater employee retention. A recent New York Times article found that finance, insurance, real estate, and transportation were most likely to have and support remote work (retail and education were least likely candidates). The trend is only increasing: the 2016 Gallup poll also found that those who work remotely log more hours away from the office than was reported in their 2012 findings. Not only are people logging more hours, but remote workers are saving money when it comes to commuting costs and businesses are saving on office space expenses.

Why is remote access important?

Software organizations where development engineers need to connect across multiple locations, small organizations lacking office-space, and large, enterprise organizations all want to offer the most flexible work options in order to attract high-ranking candidates and reap the rewards of having such a policy.

What to Include in an Access Control Policy Document

Our example from Loyola University Chicago makes clear who the policy applies to (“faculty, staff, students, contractors and vendors”) and how it applies – specifically, when they connect to systems that deal with Loyola Protected Data.

Implementation

An access control policy on its own doesn’t do much. For it to be effective, it must be supported by methods, procedures, and some form of access control model.

Conclusion

The contents of your access control policy depend largely on the needs of your organization. Hopefully this article gives you an idea of what you should include when writing an access control policy document.

What is access control?

Access control is concerned with determining the allowed activities of legitimate users, mediating every attempt by a user to access a resource in the system. In some systems, complete access is granted after s successful authentication of the user, but most systems require more sophisticated and complex control.

What are the three abstractions of access control?

Organizations planning to implement an access control system should consider three abstractions: access control policies, models, and mechanisms. Access control policies are high-level requirements that specify how access is managed and who may access information under what circumstances.

What is authorization based on?

In some cases, authorization may mirror the structure of the organization, while in others it may be based on the sensitivity level of various documents and the clearance level of the user accessing those documents. Organizations planning to implement an access control system should consider three abstractions: access control policies, models, ...

What should be in your complete control?

Any remote devices connecting to your network should be in your complete control - or as close to it as possible. This means enforcing all machines to have up-to-date anti-virus, use hard drive encryption and receive automatic operating system and third-party patches. You may want to also disable the DNS split tunneling setting on workstations, which will force all Web browsing through the company’s firewall and filtering protections. Users should also understand what type of communications are acceptable (i.e. using SSH instead of telnet; passphrases instead of simple passwords). All technical controls need to be backed by appropriate policies, such as an acceptable use policy, encryption policy, password policy, and workstation security policy. Otherwise, you aren’t justified in taking disciplinary action against employees who aren’t following your remote access guidance.

Can remote access be allowed only during certain hours?

For instance, you can set up remote access connections to be allowed only during certain hours. Or maybe you enable remote access technologies for a specific project, and the access is set to automatically shut off after a specific date - at which time users can request permission again if necessary.

What is a user account in XYZ?

A user account (a username and a password) for each XYZ Inc. employee, with appropriate privilege level, is created on the domain controller/authentication server; only these user accounts can be used to log into any of the computers that are members of the domain. Each individual employee of company is also assigned an email account. IT manager assigns a unique user name to each individual using the following convention:

What is privileged information?

An information system that restricts access to privileged functions ( deployed in hardware, software, and firmware) and security-relevant information to explicitly authorized personnel , including, for example, security administrators, system and network administrators, and other privileged users.

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Scope

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The Scopesection of an access control policy describes who and what the policy applies to. An access control policy can apply to employees, contractors, users, or customers – and it can apply differently to each of these groups. The rules governing an employee, for instance, might look very different from those that ap…
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Purpose

  • The Purposesection tells readers why the access control policy exists. Usually, the goal is to protect sensitive information and other resources. However obvious that might seem, it never hurts to be perfectly clear what the goal of a policy is, so that you can be certain everyone understands the stakes and is on board with the policy. Our example policy lays out two main go…
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Responsibilities

  • The Responsibilitiessection details who’s responsible for what under the access control policy. This usually breaks down into two types of responsibilities. The owner of the policy writes and oversees the policy. The policy belongs to them, and they’re responsible for it. If you have questions about a policy, they’re likely a good person to ask. In some cases, the same team own…
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Policies

  • Let’s get to the meat of it: the Policiessection lists the individual policies that comprise the access control policy in full. The policies you decide to include are highly dependent on the organization and its security needs. However, there are some common components you’ll want to consider.
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Adherence

  • The Adherencesection outlines what happens if the access control policies are not followed. Sometimes called “Enforcement” instead of “Adherence”, it covers what happens when people don’t follow the rules. A policy with no enforcement is a weak policy. Employees won’t have a strong reason to follow it. Some will, sure, but others might cut corners, especially if it makes th…
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Questions

  • You should also include a brief Questions or Contactsection, giving readers a clear point of contact in case they’re not sure about anything they just read. A confused user won’t be able to follow the policy effectively – so make sure people know who to talk to if they have any questions about your access control policy.
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History

  • A good access control policy is a living document, and should be kept up-to-date. A History section listing updates and audits builds trust that the policies are actively maintained.
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