Remote-access Guide

remote access and vpn on a network security architecture

by Loren Sanford Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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A Virtual Private Network is one of the most commonly used technologies for secure remote access. A VPN necessarily provides an additional security layer while accessing a network remotely. VPN allows remote users to connect to private networks via an encrypted server or tunnel.

Full Answer

How to secure remote access to a network?

Virtual Private Network (VPN): A Virtual Private Network is one of the most commonly used technologies for secure remote access. A VPN necessarily provides an additional security layer while accessing a network remotely. VPN allows remote users to connect to private networks via an encrypted server or tunnel.

What is a remote access VPN?

A remote access virtual private network (VPN) enables users who are working remotely to securely access and use applications and data that reside in the corporate data center and headquarters, encrypting all traffic the users send and receive.

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.

What is a client based VPN?

In the last design scenario we looked at DMZs, in this post we will talk about client based Virtual Private Networks (VPN) usually referred to by their original name of Secure Sockets layer (SSL) VPN. I say old name because SSL is now a deprecated protocol and has been replaced with Transport layer security (TLS).

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What is remote access VPN in networking?

A remote access virtual private network (VPN) enables users who are working remotely to securely access and use applications and data that reside in the corporate data center and headquarters, encrypting all traffic the users send and receive.

Does a VPN network provide users with remote access?

Virtual Private Network (VPN) Because internet traffic and user identity are protected with encryption, VPN is technically a security solution, although it does enable remote network access, whether users are working from home, a coffee shop, or an airport.

How do you secure remote access to a network?

Use virtual private networks (VPN) - Many remote users will want to connect from insecure Wi-Fi or other untrusted network connections. VPNs can eliminate that risk, however VPN endpoint software must also be kept up-to-date to avoid vulnerabilities that can occur from older versions of the software client.

What is the architecture of VPN?

Specifically, VPN uses the IP Security Architecture (IPSec) open framework. IPSec provides base security functions for the Internet, as well as furnishes flexible building blocks from which you can create robust, secure virtual private networks. VPN also supports Layer 2 Tunnel Protocol (L2TP) VPN solutions.

Why is VPN important for network security?

A virtual private network, or VPN, is an encrypted connection over the Internet from a device to a network. The encrypted connection helps ensure that sensitive data is safely transmitted. It prevents unauthorized people from eavesdropping on the traffic and allows the user to conduct work remotely.

Which VPN is best for remote access?

Quick Overview – The Best Remote Access VPN in 2022ExpressVPN – Offers Static IP for Remote Working. Offers 3000+ servers in 94 countries. ... Surfshark – Affordable Remote VPN for SMBs. ... NordVPN – Secure VPN for Working from home. ... PIA – Easy-to-use Remote Access VPN. ... CyberGhost – Compact Remote VPN.

Which is a more secure form of remote access over a network?

Virtual private network (VPN)Virtual private network (VPN) – The most common and well-known form of secure remote access, VPNs typically use the public Internet to connect to a private network resource through an encrypted tunnel.

Which is a secure remote access protocol?

POINT-TO-POINT TUNNELING PROTOCOL (PPTP) It's used to establish virtual connections across the internet via PPP and TCP/IP, enabling two networks to use the internet as their WAN link while retaining the security benefits of a private network. PPTP is a great option because it's simple and secure.

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.

What are the two VPN components?

Tunneling protocols There are two protocols that are used to manage tunnels and encapsulate private data: Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), and Layer Two Transport Protocol (L2TP).

What are the types of VPN?

The four main types of VPN are: Remote access VPNs. Personal VPN services. Mobile VPNs. Site-to-site VPNs.

What are the advantages of using a VPN?

Pros of VPN: What are the advantages of using a VPN?Secure Your Network. The benefits of using a VPN are vast. ... Hide Your Private Information. ... Prevent Data Throttling. ... Avoid Bandwidth Throttling. ... Get Access to Geo-blocked Services. ... Network Scalability.

What is the difference between remote access and a VPN?

A VPN is a smaller private network that runs on top of a larger public network, while Remote Desktop is a type of software that allows users to remotely control a computer. 2. Remote Desktop allows access and control to a specific computer, while VPN only allows access to shared network resources.

How do I setup a VPN remote access?

Configure Remote Access as a VPN ServerOn the VPN server, in Server Manager, select the Notifications flag.In the Tasks menu, select Open the Getting Started Wizard. ... Select Deploy VPN only. ... Right-click the VPN server, then select Configure and Enable Routing and Remote Access.More items...•

What is the difference between site to site VPN and remote access VPN?

A remote access VPN connects remote users from any location to a corporate network. A site-to-site VPN, meanwhile, connects individual networks to each other.

What do you need for remote access?

Remote computer access requires a reliable internet connection. You'll need to activate or install software on the device you want to access, as well as on the device — or devices — you want to use to get that access.

Why are VPNs so secure?

While VPNs provide traffic encryption and user authentication, they still present a security risk because they grant access to the entire network without the option of controlling granular user access to specific resources. There is no scrutiny of the security posture of the connecting device, which could allow malware to enter the network. To maintain proper security, traffic must be routed through a security stack at the VPN’s terminus on the network. In addition to inefficient routing and increased network latency, this can result in having to purchase, deploy, monitor, and maintain security stacks at multiple sites to decentralize the security load. Simply put, VPNs are a challenge – an expensive one at that – when it comes to remote access security.

What is a SASE network?

SASE converges Zero Trust Network Access, NextGen firewall (NGFW), and other security services along with network services such as SD-WAN, WAN optimization, and bandwidth aggregation into a cloud-native platform. Enterprises that leverage a SASE networking architecture receive the benefits of ZTNA, plus a full suite of converged network and security solutions that is both simple to manage and highly-scalable. The Cato SASE solution provides all this in a cloud-native platform.

What is remote access VPN?

What Is a Remote Access VPN? A remote access virtual private network (VPN) enables users who are working remotely to securely access and use applications and data that reside in the corporate data center and headquarters, encrypting all traffic the users send and receive. The remote access VPN does this by creating a tunnel between an ...

Why is VPN remote access?

The remote access VPN does this by creating a tunnel between an organization’s network and a remote user that is “virtually private,” even though the user may be in a public location. This is because the traffic is encrypted, which makes it unintelligible to any eavesdropper.

Does SASE require a VPN?

Using SASE, an organization does not have to maintain a separate stand-alone proxy or VPN. Rather, users connect to a SASE solution (which provides access to the cloud and data center) with consistent security. Some advantages of using a SASE are that it allows companies to:

What are some alternatives to VPN?

One prominent alternative is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platforms with embedded Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) that alleviate the security dangers and other disadvantages of VPN.

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.

What is the advantage of ZTNA?

The main advantage of ZTNA is its granular control over who gains and maintains network access, to which specific resources, and from which end user devices. Access is granted on a least-privilege basis according to security policies. But Zero Trust is only one part of a remote access solution. There are performance and ongoing security issues ...

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.

VPNs Put Remote Access Security at High Risk

In general, VPNs provide minimal security with traffic encryption and simple user authentication. Without inherent strong security measures, they present numerous risk areas:

VPNs Have Other Drawbacks

In addition to the security issues, VPNs have other drawbacks that make them unsuitable for long-term remote access connectivity. For example, an appliance has capacity to support a limited number of simultaneous users.

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. The main driver of ZTNA adoption is the changing shape of enterprise network perimeters.

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 client-side software?

The client-side software is responsible for establishing a tunneling connection to the RAS and for the encryption of data.

Author: Haris Khan

Remote work is the new normal for IT teams around the globe, and there is no surprise as to why remote work is becoming so increasingly popular for organizations. The modern employee workforce is no longer restricted to one physical location.

What is secure remote access?

Secure remote access refers to the technology used for securely accessing a system or application remotely. Cybercriminals and malicious actors are consistently looking out for vulnerabilities and loopholes in remote work infrastructures to exploit and plan cyber attacks.

Which technologies are used for remote work access?

Secure remote access can be effectively implemented by utilizing a collection of highly innovative, secure, and flexible technologies while accessing a system or application from a remote location A few prominent examples of such technologies are listed below:

10 Best Practices for Secure Remote Work Access

Some of the best practices that you can adopt to improvise remote access security in your organization are described below:

Why cloud desktops are an optimal choice for secure remote access?

Cloud desktop solutions offer greater flexibility and ease of access as all of your files, applications and desktop reside on the cloud. Cloud desktops are one of the most resilient and secure forms of remote access.

All-In-One Secure Remote Access with V2 Cloud

As the organizational trend keeps transitioning to remote work, it’s crucial to comprehend the numerous cybersecurity risks and threats that are associated with remote access security. Remote work has become an increasingly viable option with tons of advantages.

What are the advantages of a stand alone VPN?

How healthy the budget is might determine that. One of the advantages of purchasing a stand alone specialty VPN appliances is that ' typically ' they might have more flexibility when it comes to user policy and security settings. Some appliances also might have more robust client applications.

Why is SSL VPN called SSL VPN?

I believe the name SSL VPN came back from the inception of the concept because users would connect via a web browser using SSL to a web page to login. Although the web page based VPN method is still used, most vendors have released client applications that install on a computer which facilitates the secure connection.

How to use 2 factor authentication?

The token application can be from an app on the computer, a cell phone, or a method like e-mail or SMS messaging. The application method is generally accepted vs SMS or e-mail as the more secure choice, however just having the second method at a minimum is good. These solutions can generally be deployed on-prem or from the cloud via APIs or similar mechanisms.

Is remote access part of a business continuity plan?

In general remote access should be a part of a business continuity plan. That alone could be the reason you justify deployment, which would mean you'd need to ensure there is some language about remote access and how the design works to meet the BC plan needs.

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