remote access authentication best practices

Best Practices

• Keep systems and applications up-to-date Keep both client and host (remote access server) systems updated with the most recent security patches and updates. ...
• Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication Use strong passwords for remote access services. ...
• Protect your passwords Be wary of phishing schemes and other scams that try to steal your passwords and other personal information.
• Restrict access ...

Full Answer

What are the best practices for securing remote access?

Best Practices for Securing Remote Access. RAS: 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 ... IPSec: IPSec is an IP packet authentication and encryption method. It uses cryptographic keys to protect ...

Is your remote access secure?

If businesses can establish secure remote access, remote work can be just as secure as if employees are working onsite. In the following sections, we’ll elaborate more about remote access security concerns and how you can address them. Before we define what secure remote access is, we need to define remote access first.

How to implement a secure remote work strategy?

Organizations need to implement secure remote work strategies and utilize the usage of effective secure technologies for remote access. The first step towards implementing a secure remote infrastructure is ensuring that your employees have consistent and secure remote access to all the applications, resources, and services.

How to secure your remote office network?

With organizations rapidly expanding over multiple geographical locations, it’s crucial to provide a secure connection mechanism for every remote office so employees can easily and securely access the corporate network and complete their day-to-day tasks. 3. Strong Password Policies:

What is a best practice for compliance in the remote access domain?

Instead, a best practice is to adopt the principle of least privilege, which means that access for all users should be blocked by default and enabled only for the specific accounts that require it.

Which method of remote access is the most secure?

Remote Access Solutions: Which is the Most Secure?VPNs. ... Desktop Sharing. ... The Verdict: VPNs and Desktop Sharing Are Not Secure Enough for Remote Vendor Access. ... The Best Alternative: Vendor Privileged Access Management. ... The Bottom Line.

How can you ensure your network remains secure when you have clients with remote access?

Achieving end-to-end secure remote accessImplement an advanced protection solution. First and foremost, devices with remote connections to your network must have an advanced protection solution. ... Utilise VPNs. ... Enable multi-factor authentication. ... Build your firewall.

Who is more secure protocol for remote login?

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are a commonly used remote-access solution. They are designed to provide an encrypted tunnel for network traffic between a remote user and the enterprise network. VPNs also support security solutions like MFA that help to mitigate the threat of compromised accounts.

What are the two types of remote access server?

Remote Access Methods1- Remote Access Server: It's one server in organization network that it is the destination of all remote access connections.2- Remote Access Client: All computers that remote connect to network, called remote access client or remote computer.More items...•

How do I stop unauthorized remote access?

Here are our recommendations to help you prevent unauthorized data access:Keep Current on all Security Patches. ... Detect and Respond to Intrusions Quickly. ... Implement Principle of Least Privilege (Minimize Data Access) ... Use Multi-Factor Authentication. ... Implement IP Whitelisting. ... Encrypt Network Traffic Inside the System.More items...•

How do you keep security when employees work remotely?

Remote Work Security Best PracticesEstablish and enforce a data security policy. ... Equip your employees with the right tools and technology. ... Frequently update your network security systems. ... Regulate the use of personal devices. ... Institute a “Zero Trust” approach. ... Make sure all internet connections are secure.More items...

What is required 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.

What is secure remote access?

Secure Remote Access is a combination of security processes or solutions that are designed to prevent unauthorized access to an organization's digital assets and prevent the loss of sensitive data.

What are the methods for remote access?

Remote Access Control MethodsDirect (Physical) Line. The first direct remote access control that can be implemented is a direct line from a computer to the company's LAN. ... Virtual Private Network. Another method which is more common is establishing a VPN. ... Deploying Microsoft RDS.

What protocol is used for secure remote connectivity for configuration?

Remote Desktop Protocol or RDP is a communications protocol designed to manage remote access to desktops, files, systems, and even private networks.

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 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.

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 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.

Should a company use IPSEC VPN?

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.).

What is multifactor authentication?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a secure access control process that combines multiple credentials to verify the identity of a user. It is especially important, and is commonly used, for secure remote access.

What is RDP server?

RDP is a protocol originally developed by Microsoft, which enables remote connection to a compute system. RDP is also available for MacOs, Linux and other operating systems. The RDP server listens on TCP port 3389 and UDP port 3389, and accepts connections from RDP clients.

What is SASE security?

SASE is a new security model, leveraging software-defined networking (SDN), that helps users connect securely to remote data centers. It includes technologies like cloud access security broker (CASB), secure web gateway (SWG), firewall as a service (FWaaS), and ZTNA (ZTNA, described above, can be a component within a SASE solution).

Can an attacker compromise a VPN?

When an attacker compromises a VPN (virtual private network), they can easily gain access to the rest of the network. Historically, many companies deployed VPNs primarily for technical roles, enabling them to access key IT systems. Today, all users, including non-technical roles, might access systems remotely using VPN. The problem is that many old firewall rules allow access for VPN clients to almost anything on the network.

Who needs privileged accounts?

Many organizations need to provide privileged accounts for two types of users: employees and external users, such as technicians and contractors. However, organizations using external vendors or contractors must protect themselves from potential threats from these sources.

Is remote access technology progressing?

Remote access technology made great progress. There are many new ways for users to access computing resources remotely, from a variety of endpoint devices. Here are some of the technologies enabling secure remote access at organizations today.

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 Is Remote Access?

Remote access is a blanket term used to describe the ability to access a specific computer system from any location via a network connection. Many individuals experience this on a personal level when they access files and folders on their desktop from a remote location—MSPs simply execute this on a larger scale for their customers.

What is remote access software?

MSPs with remote access software can perform system configurations, issue maintenance, and deliver service management for a slew of customers —all without ever leaving their desk. Remote access tools are gateways to their customers’ resources. That means not only their machines, but their IP and, ultimately, their data.

What is MFA authentication?

Leverage multi-factor authentication (MFA): To further secure remote access after following password creation best practices, look to MFA. A time-based, one-time passcode is the perfect example of this. These passcodes can only be retrieved via an authenticator app and must be used in tandem with your username and password to gain entrance to your remote access solution. They are a perfect way to ensure that, no matter how strong your password may be, only you can remotely gain access to accounts.

What is RDP protocol?

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP): RDP is a proprietary Microsoft protocol used to achieve a remote connection, but there are also versions for MacOS, Linux, and other operating systems. Some software companies have their own proprietary protocol as well. RDP allows the server to listen on TCP port 3389 and UDP port 3389 and approves a connection once a request is made.

Why is it important to keep passwords safe?

Keep passwords protected with a password manager: Keeping all passwords safe and secure is crucial to system security, especially when bad actors may look for open communication ports and attempt to steal passwords. Leverage a vault-protected password management solution that allows you to store and deliver all company and customer credentials with compliance-level security.

When to use proxy servers?

Internet Proxy Servers: Internet proxy servers are used when a connection must be made outside of a corporate network or firewall. However, a remote access connection is usually made over a secure VPN.

Is remote access software good for MSPs?

Simply put, remote access software is a win-win for all.

What is multifactor authentication?

Multi-factor authentication adds a layer to security and is especially important in case of remote desktop authorization. Multi-factor authentication works by confirming the identity of the user across 3 areas–what they know, what they have and who they are. . User IDs, passwords, secret questions, date of birth, etc., fall in the first category (What they know), while OTPs sent to their smartphone, a physical token or an access card belong to the second category (What they have) and the third category (Who they are) includes biometric authentication such as retina scan, fingerprint or voice recognition.

Is the cloud better than remote desktop?

To a certain extent, the Cloud is a good alternative to remote desktops and more secure. So you can opt for the Cloud-based setup wherever possible and limit remote desktop access to those to absolutely need it.