The overriding risk of remote access services and software is a hacker gaining deeper access to your organization, exposing you to a host of IT security threats. Once they gain privileged access to your system, it will be difficult to prevent data loss, prevent phishing, protect against ransomware, etc.
What is secure remote access and how does it work?
Secure remote access refers to any security policy, solution, strategy or process that exists to prevent unauthorized access to your network, its resources, or any confidential or sensitive data. Essentially, secure remote access is a mix of security strategies and not necessarily one specific technology like a VPN.
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.
Why is remote workforce security so important?
With a remote workforce, this problem becomes exacerbated by employees using personal devices and networks with much lower standards of security than their corporate-controlled alternatives, making it easy for attackers to access company data.
What are the advantages of remote access?
What is remote computer access? 1 The ability to troubleshoot quickly. 2 Easy monitoring and control of devices connected to the same network. 3 Efficient file-sharing. 4 The ability of your device to mirror the original device, including files and applications.
What are the security risks of remote access?
Many remote access security risks abound, but below is a list of the ones that jump out.Lack of information. ... Password sharing. ... Software. ... Personal devices. ... Patching. ... Vulnerable backups. ... Device hygiene. ... Phishing attacks.
Is remote access security secure?
Yes. A robust cloud-based, highly secure remote access solution can provide unified protection for virtually all users against web-based threats — independent of a VPN connection.
How do you secure remote access in networking?
7 Best Practices For Securing Remote Access for EmployeesDevelop a Cybersecurity Policy For Remote Workers. ... Choose a Remote Access Software. ... Use Encryption. ... Implement a Password Management Software. ... Apply Two-factor Authentication. ... Employ the Principle of Least Privilege. ... Create Employee Cybersecurity Training.
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 happens if you give someone remote access to your computer?
This can be even worse than just conning you out of money, as undetected malware can allow hackers to steal your identity, including your passwords and financial information, over and over again, even if you get new passwords and account numbers.
What are security considerations for remote users examples?
Five Remote Access Security Risks And How To Protect Against ThemWeak remote access policies. ... A deluge of new devices to protect. ... Lack of visibility into remote user activity. ... Users mixing home and business passwords. ... Opportunistic phishing attempts.
Which is the secure standard function for remote access?
MFA is imperative to authenticate users for secure remote access. Many regulations and compliance standards require MFA for privileged remote access.
Which devices can access remotely in networking?
Remote access gateway devices can be computers running remote access software and connected through multiport serial boards with 4, 8, 12, or more asynchronous communication ports that are connected to analog modem banks or ISDN terminal adapters, or they can be routers with built-in modem or Integrated Services ...
Is Google remote access secure?
Is Chrome Remote Desktop secure? While remote desktop software comes with inherent risks, Chrome Remote Desktop is safe and secure. Its remote sessions use AES computer encryption through a secure SSL connection, protecting your data while you remotely access your computer.
Is RDP more secure than VPN?
The essential difference when comparing VPNs and RDP is that a VPN doesn't provide your device with any additional functionality the way an RDP does. You're still using the same old device, only that its IP address has changed and it is now a whole lot more secure when accessing the Internet.
Why is RDP so insecure?
Weak user sign-in credentials. The problem is that the same password is often used for RDP remote logins as well. Companies do not typically manage these passwords to ensure their strength, and they often leave these remote connections open to brute force or credential stuffing attacks.
Is RDS gateway secure?
Remote Desktop Gateway (RDG or RD Gateway) is a Windows Server role that provides a secure encrypted connection to the server via RDP.
What is secure remote access?
Secure remote access refers to any security policy, solution, strategy or process that exists to prevent unauthorized access to your network, its resources, or any confidential or sensitive data. Essentially, secure remote access is a mix of security strategies and not necessarily one specific technology like a VPN.
What technologies are used for secure remote access?
Secure remote access is comprised of a multitude of security solutions and technologies. Some of the most prominent include the following:
Secure remote access solution
Enables employees with precise access to the applications and data required to do their job from anywhere.
Why is secure remote access important?
With the work from home shift in the workforce, endpoints are accessing corporate networks from multiple locations. Today, employees’ home networks are often the originating point for network connections, multiplying the risk on both home and corporate networks.
What are the benefits of secure remote access?
While the benefits of secure remote access are numerous, there are four key advantages in which to focus on:
Can secure remote access be achieved without VPN?
Yes. A robust cloud-based, highly secure remote access solution can provide unified protection for virtually all users against web-based threats — independent of a VPN connection.
How can AT&T help organizations with secure remote access?
AT&T Cybersecurity is uniquely positioned to help organizations address these immediate challenges with an eye toward the future by helping them balance connectivity, collaboration, and cybersecurity affordably.
Why is secure remote access important to remote work security?
Secure remote access approaches are so vital because it’s now impossible to control security at the endpoint. Each user in a remote or hybrid workforce is connecting to the network from a different type of computer or smartphone, and they’re using a variety of internet connections to log in.
How does secure remote access work?
Every remote worker needs a way to connect with remote desktop services and applications that won't slow down their workflows. At the same time, IT administrators must manage those connections to ensure they don't leave the network open to threats.
What happens if a VPN fails?
For enterprises that support a large remote workforce connecting via VPN, there is high risk of business interruption if a VPN fails or is incapacitated, such as through a DoS attack. No appliance means no access for anyone who would connect to it.
How does split tunneling work?
This is a network architecture configuration where traffic is directed from a VPN client to the corporate network and also through a gateway to link with the Internet. The Internet and corporate network can be accessed at the same time. This provides an opportunity for attackers on the shared public network to compromise the remote computer and use it to gain network access to the internal network.
Is VPN good for remote access?
A Better Long-term Solution for Secure Remote Access. VPNs are no longer the only (or best) choice for enterprise remote access. Gartner’s Market Guide for Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) projected that by 2023, 60% of enterprises will phase out VPN and use ZTNA instead.
Can the Internet and corporate network be accessed at the same time?
The Internet and corporate network can be accessed at the same time. This provides an opportunity for attackers on the shared public network to compromise the remote computer and use it to gain network access to the internal network.
Can malware be spread through an insecure endpoint?
Insecure endpoints can spread malware to the network –. There is no scrutiny of the security post ure of the connecting device, which could allow malware to enter the network.
Do VPNs provide authentication?
VPNs do provide simple user authentication, but stronger authentication of users and their devices is essential. Without extra authentication safeguards – for example, multi-factor authentication, or verification against an enterprise directory system or a RADIUS authentication server – an attacker can use stolen credentials and gain broad access to the network.
Do VPNs give granular access to specific resources?
VPNs do not provide granular user access to specific resources. When working remotely via VPN, users access the network via a common pool of VPN-assigned IP addresses. This leads to users being able to “see” unauthorized resources on the network, putting them only a password away from being able to access them.
What is the biggest threat to network security?
Your employees who work remotely can become the biggest threat to your network’s security. By unknowingly following cybersecurity worst practices, employees can actually be the ones giving threat actors access to your network and your company’s private information.
What are the essential security clauses that should be included in your remote work policy?
Below are the essential security clauses that should be included in your remote work policy: Clearly define which positions are eligible for remote work. Be transparent towards your employees. Everyone should be aware which job functions are allowed to work remotely are which are not due to security reasons.
What is the first step in remote work?
The first step is to create a security policy specifically designed for remote workers. 93% of the IT professional interviewed in the OpenVPN study already have a formalized remote work policy in place and this is quite impressive and reassuring.
Why do I need a VPN?
VPN. VPN connections are crucial when your employees connect to unsecured networks, such as Wi-Fi hotspots, even when they work from home. It’s recommended for your employees to be using your company’s VPN. What this tool does is route the traffic through the internet from your organization’s private network, ensuring even more security.
Why do cybercriminals crack passwords?
Cybercriminals are aware that human error is easier to exploit than trying to get past an advanced security solution, which is why they will attempt to crack account passwords in order to access private company data.
Why is a firewall important?
A firewall will prevent unauthorized access to and from the network, further strengthening the security of your employees’ devices. What firewalls do is monitor network traffic, at the same time finding and blocking unwanted traffic. So, firewalls are important tools that will protect your remote endpoints against various cyber threats.
What are the tools that both regular and remote employees should have installed on their devices?
Here are the fundamental tools that both your regular and remote employees should have installed on their devices: 1. Multi-factor authentication. This type of authentication will act as an additional layer of security on top of your remote employees’ accounts.
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 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.
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 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 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 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.
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 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.
Can you customize remote access policy?
Always ensure that your remote access policy is not an exact copy of another organization’s template; rather, you should customize it depending on your requirements. Otherwise, it might not be that useful for your organization.
What is the access policy setting?
The Access this computer from the network policy setting determines which users can connect to the device from the network. This capability is required by a number of network protocols, including Server Message Block (SMB)-based protocols, NetBIOS, Common Internet File System (CIFS), and Component Object Model Plus (COM+).
Who has the right to authenticate domain controllers?
On domain controllers, grant this right only to authenticated users, enterprise domain controllers, and administrators.
What does it mean when a local setting is greyed out?
When a local setting is greyed out, it indicates that a GPO currently controls that setting.
When does a user rights assignment become effective?
Any change to the user rights assignment for an account becomes effective the next time the owner of the account logs on.
Can you log on to a domain controller if you remove access?
If you remove the Access this computer from the network user right on domain controllers for all users, no one can log on to the domain or use network resources. If you remove this user right on member servers, users cannot connect to those servers through the network.
