The importance of a remote access policy
- Not for everyone.
- A panacea for others.
- Policy helps mitigate dangers. Just rolling out the policy won’t eliminate risks, however. The Information Technology...
What is a remote access policy?
A remote access policy is a written document containing the guidelines for connecting to an organization’s network from outside the office.
Is secure remote access really necessary?
Secure remote access is necessary when dealing with sensitive client information. And, although there may be some drawbacks when dealing with a policy, careful planning will help avoid any negative impact on productivity. For example, if you are to be in an online meeting at 9 AM, don’t attempt login at 8:58 AM.”
What is a VPN remote access policy and how does it work?
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. A VPN policy should be documented, and every user remotely connecting to the network should read and accept the terms of that policy.
Why enabling remote access is important for nonprofits?
Enabling remote access to an organization’s network, systems and data can benefit most any organization. Whether a small nonprofit seeks to in empowering communication and productivity. But remote access also presents management challenges. In dynamic that could prove disruptive to production processes.
What is included in a remote access policy?
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.
Why a VPN policy is important?
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. A VPN policy should be documented, and every user remotely connecting to the network should read and accept the terms of that policy.
What is the purpose of a remote access program?
Remote access software enables a technician to get access to a computer remotely, meaning without having to be near it. The computer has to be reachable through a network connection or across the internet.
What is the greatest benefit of remote access to an organization?
Flexibility. By allowing your staff to perform tasks outside the office using remote access, you can facilitate more flexible work arrangements and help employees create a better work/life balance.
What are the main reasons why a VPN is the right solution for protecting the network perimeter?
A VPN reduces security risk by allowing access to specific network resources to only users who are authorized, encrypting data and thereby protecting against insecure Wi-Fi access, and providing continuity of centralized unified threat management.
What are the benefits of using remote desktop services?
The ten benefits of using Remote Desktop Services (RDS)Leverage legacy devices. ... Enable workers. ... Remote work. ... Central storage of data. ... The currency of technology is guaranteed. ... Security is guaranteed too. ... Easy scalability. ... It is cheaper.More items...
What are the security requirements for remote access?
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.
How do companies do remote access?
4 Ways for Secure Remote Access:Remote via VPN – Solution.Remote via Reverse-Proxy Solution.Remote via Cloud Application.Remote via VDI – Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of remote access?
Advantages of Remote Access1) Flexible Access. ... 2) Flexible Set-Up and Costs. ... 3) Full Control on Authorization and Access. ... 4) Centralized Storage and Backups. ... 5) Shared Resources; Greater Efficiency and Collaboration. ... 1) Security Issues. ... 2) Version Problems and Data Liabilities. ... 3) Hardware Issues Still Need On-Site Work.More items...•
How does remote access benefits a business firm?
Remote access software allows them to access the information necessary for the job. As a result, the employees can overview their work for accuracy and can move on to the next task. This improves the company's productivity. Remote access software allows employees to finish tasks even outside working hours.
When you need to address the issue of a VPN policy what topics would you include in a policy you would create and recommend your organization implement?
A policy should include who has access to the network, how much access and what type of devices can connect to the network. Additional matters include idle connection time, standard process in case of a breach, and authentication.
What are the security requirements of VPN?
For site-to-site VPN, for accounts using password authentication, the VPN Gateway must use FIPS-validated SHA-1 or later protocol to protect the integrity of the password authentication process. Passwords need to be protected at all times, and encryption is the standard method for protecting passwords.
Is using VPN allowed in India?
VPNs are perfectly legal to use in India, although the government has made user data collection mandatory. For optimal security and safety, use a VPN with obfuscated servers, a strict no-logs policy, a kill switch and leak protection.
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.
What should the IT department do?
For its part, the IT department should implement centralized management of data access to ensure that only authorized users are allowed access into the network . A comprehensive audit mechanism to ensure policy conformance is also recommended. In case anomalies are detected during audits, the IT department should recommend remediation measures to prevent future occurrences.
Why is a remote access policy important?
A remote access policy is important to assure that your organization can maintain its cybersecurity even with all the uncertainty that remote access brings: unknown users (you can’t see the person, after all), using potentially unknown devices, on unknown networks, to access your corporate data center and all the information within.
How to set up a remote access policy?
Here’s a quick checklist to keep in mind as you work on your own remote access policy: 1 Define what a secure password is, how often it should be changed, and how the remote user should protect it. 2 Define what a secure connection is and who’s responsible for providing it. 3 Define what types of hardware a remote user may connect to the company network. 4 Establish a schedule and procedure for software updates. 5 Divide users into subgroups depending on the access each group needs. 6 Monitor and make sure remote users comply with guidelines. 7 Spell out the level of disciplinary action that may be taken if established guidelines are violated.
Why is remote access important?
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 is the importance of remote access VPN?
Before the implementation of a remote-access VPN solution, it is imperative for organizations to define who can use the VPN, what it can be used for, and the security policies that prevent improper or malicious use.
What is IPsec remote access?
IPsec remote access offers customizability and versatility through modification of VPN client software. With APIs in IPsec software, organizations are able to control the function and appearance of the VPN client for applications and special case uses.
How to keep remote devices up to date?
The operating system of all remote devices must be kept up-to-date by applying patches as soon as they become available to download.
How to reduce exposure to corporate network security threats?
Organizations must consider the following: 1. Avoid split tunneling.
Is encryption good for remote access?
Encryption is a major part of remote access security. Less secured protocols such as IPSEC6 and PPTP connections should be avoided if possible. Organizations should aim for the most secure encryption standards such as IPSEC (3DES) and 256-bit AES. SSL-backed VPN should be considered if it is compatible with company applications: in this case, a connection only allows access to individual ports, IP addresses and applications, which makes it more secure than standard connections that grant access to the whole network.
Is VPN security necessary for remote access?
Technologies required for preventing remote access abuse and mitigating threats such as spyware, viruses, and malware already exist in the security infrastructure of many enterprise networks. However, they are not integrated in a way that they can ensure remote access security, due to the way VPN traffic is encrypted. While additional security equipment may be installed and purchased to protect the VPN network, the most cost-effective solution would be to consider VPN gateways that offer application firewall and threat mitigation services as a built-in part of the VPN product.
What is remote access policy?
A remote access policy is a document that details how an employee can safely connect to a company's computer network while working away from the office.
Which university publishes remote access policy?
For example, Appalachian State University in North Carolina publishes its remote access policy online. In it, among other things, they detail:
Should you mention password policies in remote access policy?
Last, if you reference other policies or standards you have implemented in your company's security program in your remote access policy, you should make mention of those so they can be reviewed. A strict password policy that your organization requires of its employees should be noted.
Is security still an issue?
The security of a network is still an issue, even if employees are working remotely.
Can you work remotely from home?
Let's face it. Technology today allows employees to work from just about anywhere. Whether you are a full-time telecommuter who works from a home office or you just need a break from the usual scenery and head off to a coffee shop, the ability to work remotely is a definite perk of the 21st century.
Why do organizations need remote access?
On a more granular level, organizations have several reasons for enabling remote access to their OT environments. Software Toolbox identified three such factors: 1 Empowering decision-makers with data access and visibility: Decision-makers need access to and visibility over data if they are to safeguard the organization’s interests. They need timely information to make the right decisions. 2 Centralizing access across geographically distributed systems: Many organizations that own or operate OT environments have assets that are scattered across different countries and continents. This makes it difficult for people like remote workers to monitor those devices all at once. Remote access solves this problem by enabling an authenticated user to access those systems from anywhere in the world. Alternatively, organizations can centralize these access sessions within a single operations center. 3 Streamlining work with third parties: Organizations that own or operate OT environments need to be able to work with their third-party vendors, contractors and suppliers. This can be difficult depending on the scope of the supply chain. As a result, organizations could use remote access to share key important data with third parties rather than grant them full access to their entire environments. 4 Facilitating the implementation of updates: Per Security Week, many industrial control systems come with a contract through which equipment manufacturers are responsible for providing remote maintenance. It’s therefore critical that organizations ensure there’s remote access available to these device manufacturers. Otherwise, they could risk those OT assets not receiving an important update or fix when it’s misbehaving, for example.
Why do decision makers need access to data?
Empowering decision-makers with data access and visibility: Decision-makers need access to and visibility over data if they are to safeguard the organization’s interests. They need timely information to make the right decisions.
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:
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 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.
What is remote access?
Remote access refers to the process of connecting to internal resources from an external source (home, hotel, district, or other public area). The ability to securely and reliably connect to business resources from a remote location increases productivity.
Who bears full responsibility for any access misuse?
Users shall bear full responsibility for any access misuse
What is LEP password policy?
All user passwords shall be strong and follow guidelines and procedures in the [LEP] Access Control and Password Policy. Staff shall ensure that devices used for work purposes are not shared in a multi-user capacity, violate AUP conditions, or used in any inappropriate activity.
What is information security?
Information security shall determine the appropriate access methodology and hardening technologies up to and including two factor password authentication, smart card, or PKI technology with strong passphrases
What is LEP policy?
This policy defines standards for staff to connect to the [LEP] network from a remote location. These standards are designed to minimize potential exposures including loss of sensitive information, and limit exposure to security concerns through a consistent and standardized access method.
Can you use personal equipment to connect to a LEP network?
Personal equipment shall not be used to connect to the [LEP] network using remote connection software and exceptions require [Insert Appropriate Role] written approval
What are the principles of access control?
Guiding principles that provide rules for all implementations of access to networks, systems, information and data. This can include principles relating to: Access approval by a registered owner (e.g. an information, business or system owner) The sharing of personal data. Role and group based access.
What is access control?
Access controls limit access to information and information processing systems. When implemented effectively, they mitigate the risk of information being accessed without the appropriate authorisation, unlawfully and the risk of a data breach. They apply anywhere access is required to perform a business activity and should be adhered to when accessing information in any format, on any device.
Where do access controls need to be documented?
This can be in an Information Asset Register, helpdesk system or even Active Directory
Why is it important to open up information assets?
Opening up information assets supports collaboration and innovation, and in our experience supports successful eDRMS (electronic document and records management system) projects.