Remote-access Guide

hardware and software configuration standards for remote access to networks

by Blake Kihn Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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What are the security guidelines for remote access?

Remote policies have guidelines for access that can include the following: Hardware and software configuration standards for remote access, including anti-malware, firewalls, and antivirus Encryption policies Information security, confidentiality, and email policies Physical and virtual device security

What are the recommended security configurations for resource custodians?

The recommendations below are provided as optional guidance to assist with achieving requirement 3.1, Secure Device Configuration. Resource Custodians must utilize well-managed security configurations for hardware, software, and operating systems based on an industry standard.

How to configure the remote access server?

Configure the Remote Access server with the security groups that contain DirectAccess clients. Configure the Remote Access server settings. Configure the infrastructure servers that are used in the organization. Configure the application servers to require authentication and encryption.

How to increase security of remote remote access?

Security is further boosted by the enforcement of antivirus and firewall policies. 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.).

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What are system and network configuration standards?

Configuration Standard: A document or collection of documents that describe how a device should be configured. Standards are the specifications that contain measurable, mandatory rules to be applied to a process, technology, and/or action in support of a policy.

How do you perform a secure system configuration?

For computers and network devices, your organisation should routinely:Remove and disable unnecessary user accounts;Change default or guessable account passwords to something non-obvious;Remove or disable unnecessary software;Disable any auto-run feature that allows file execution without user authorisation; and.More items...

What is a secure baseline configuration?

Secure Configuration Baseline- A fully documented set of agreed security configurations to enable the secure by default deployment of particular infrastructure components, operating system, middleware component or application.

What are the 5 different types of network management?

These operational areas are fault management, configuration management, accounting management, performance management and security management, also known as FCAPS.

What is a secure configuration option for remote access to?

What is a secure configuration option for remote access to a network device? Configure SSH. Configure 802.1x. Configure an ACL and apply it to the VTY lines.

Why are baseline configurations important?

"A baseline identifies an agreed-to description of the attributes of a {system} at a point in time and provides a known configuration to which changes are addressed." Establishing baselines and managing changes to baselines are the key functions of configuration management.

What is configuration management system?

Configuration Management is the process of maintaining systems, such as computer hardware and software, in a desired state. Configuration Management (CM) is also a method of ensuring that systems perform in a manner consistent with expectations over time.

What is a firewall baseline?

Firewall Baselines Firewall Rulesets and Configurations require annual periodic review to ensure they afford the desired levels of protection. Firewall Rulesets and Configurations must be backed up frequently to alternate storage (not on the same device).

How do you use system configuration?

All you need to do is use a keyboard shortcut and then input the abbreviation for System Configuration in the search box.Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.Type msconfig in the box.Press Enter or click OK.The System Configuration application will launch on your computer.

What is the easiest way to execute system configuration?

The Run window offers one of the fastest ways to open the System Configuration tool. Simultaneously press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to launch it, type "msconfig", and then press Enter or click/tap on OK. The System Configuration tool should open immediately.

What happens during system configuration?

A system configuration in systems engineering defines the computers, processes, and devices that compose the system and its boundary. More general the system configuration is the specific definition of the elements that define and/or prescribe what a system is composed of.

Why do we need system configuration?

The configuration of these systems is critical to your organization's success. Configuration is what makes your systems (servers, networks, operating systems, data centers, configuration files, IT assets and all other configuration items) work.

Desktop hardware configuration: Standard user

This computer will provide adequate computing power for most individuals. This configuration will be sufficient to complete most common assignments, browse the Web, and compile data.

Desktop hardware configuration: Power user

This computer is closer to the leading edge of computer power and provides additional computing resources required to work with CPU-intensive applications such as CAD, programming utilities, digital image manipulation, etc.

Laptop hardware configuration: Standard user

This computer will provide adequate computing power for most individuals. This configuration will be sufficient to complete most common assignments, browse the Web, and compile data.

Laptop hardware configuration: Power user

This computer is closer to the leading edge of computer power and provides additional computing resources required to work with CPU-intensive applications. It also provides the ultimate benefit of mobility.

How to access remote access server?

On the Remote Access server, open the Remote Access Management console: On the Start screen, type, type Remote Access Management Console, and then press ENTER. If the User Account Control dialog box appears, confirm that the action it displays is what you want, and then click Yes.

Where is the Configure button in Remote Access Management Console?

In the middle pane of the Remote Access Management console, in the Step 3 Infrastructure Servers area, click Configure.

How to deploy DirectAccess for remote management only?

In the DirectAccess Client Setup Wizard, on the Deployment Scenario page , click Deploy DirectAccess for remote management only, and then click Next.

How to add roles and features to DirectAccess?

On the DirectAccess server, in the Server Manager console, in the Dashboard, click Add roles and features.

How to install Remote Access on DirectAccess?

On the DirectAccess server, in the Server Manager console, in the Dashboard, click Add roles and features. Click Next three times to get to the server role selection screen. On the Select Server Roles dialog, select Remote Access, and then click Next.

What group does DirectAccess belong to?

For a client computer to be provisioned to use DirectAccess, it must belong to the selected security group . After DirectAccess is configured, client computers in the security group are provisioned to receive the DirectAccess Group Policy Objects (GPOs) for remote management.

How to add domain suffix in remote access?

On the DNS Suffix Search List page, the Remote Access server automatically detects domain suffixes in the deployment. Use the Add and Remove buttons to create the list of domain suffixes that you want to use. To add a new domain suffix, in New Suffix, enter the suffix, and then click Add. Click Next.

Hardware and software requirements

An operational, on-premises Active Directory Directory Services (AD DS) domain.

Certificate requirements

The default STS certificate in the SharePoint farm is used by the hybrid picker to establish the token signing trust when configuring hybrid workloads. Using the inbuilt STS certificate is the recommended approach when configuring hybrid workloads.

Inbound connectivity requirements

The following hybrid solutions require inbound connectivity from Microsoft 365 to SharePoint Server:

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.

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 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 smartsheet in healthcare?

Smartsheet is a work execution platform that enables healthcare companies to improve data safety, manage security processes, and keep privacy in check. Securely track and share confidential information with authorized users, mange control of user access, and increase visibility into who has access to what business-critical information, while meeting or exceeding all of HIPAA’s regulatory requirements. Rest assured that your assets are encrypted and stored under strict security requirements, eliminating the threat of cyberattacks and data loss, while still enabling medical professionals to access the information they need, anytime, anywhere.

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.

Purpose

To establish usage and documentation requirements for remote access methods used at the University of Florida.

Standard

Firewalls and other technology will be used to restrict Remote Access to only approved Remote Access mechanisms.

What is the first thing that’s required to ensure smooth remote access via a VPN?

The first thing that’s required to ensure smooth remote access via a VPN is to plan out a comprehensive network security policy.

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.

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 are the implications of IPSec connections for corporations?

What are the implications of IPSec connections for corporations, considering the very nature of this connection? Well, your employee will only be able to access the network from a single, authorized device. Security is further boosted by the enforcement of antivirus and firewall policies.

What is IPSEC encryption?

IPSec is an IP packet authentication and encryption method. It uses cryptographic keys to protect data flows between hosts and security gateways.

Why use two factor authentication for VPN?

Adopting two-factor authentication for remote access through VPN further boosts your network security. Now let’s take a look at why you should choose a particular VPN type as a secure connection methodology instead of the alternatives.

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.

What are some examples of secure applications?

Examples of applications that would require secure configuration include database, web server, file host. In addition, web browsers are commonly targeted by malware and malicious actors, therefore web browsers and associated add-on software component should also be configured securely.

What do resource custodians need?

Resource Custodians must utilize well-managed security configurations for hardware, software, and operating systems based on an industry standard.

Do you need to log configuration changes on covered devices?

Configuration changes on covered devices should be logged automatically or via established change management processes.

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