Businesses should take every precaution to secure remote access for their employees as remote work becomes more common. Remote work is no longer a foreign concept for most businesses and individuals. Employers and businesses, however, must secure their work due to the rapid expansion of remote working tools and opportunities.
With distributed network access, teams and businesses can no longer rely on traditional network security practices. What options do they have? To secure remote access, you must first understand what it is and what technologies can help to improve its security.
What Is Remote Access?
Remote access allows you to connect to a service, application, computer, or data from anywhere in the world. Everything involving remote access is classified as remote access, including the use of a server, a remote computer, or business-provided services.
Initially, we focused on remote desktop connections when discussing remote access; however, it now has a broader range of applications and is widely used. Individuals and businesses benefit from a larger talent pool for hiring, greater flexibility, higher work productivity, and lower costs.
How Does Remote Access Work?
Remote access is enabled through software, hardware, and network connectivity.
Traditional remote access was performed before widespread Internet connectivity using terminal emulation software that managed access over a hardware modem connected to a telephone network.
Today, remote access is more commonly performed using:
- Make use of a VPN or other security software application.
- A network interface establishes a wireless or wired connection between hosts.
- Making use of an internet-based network connection
VPNs for remote access allow users to access private networks independently. Each VPN user with remote access must have a VPN client to connect to the VPN server on the private network.
When a user connects to a network via a VPN client, the program encrypts the traffic before transmitting it over the internet. The VPN server, a gateway located at the network’s edge, decrypts the data and forwards it to the appropriate host within the private network.
A computer must have the necessary software to connect to and communicate with a system or resource hosted by the organization’s remote access service. A user’s computer can display a window displaying the target computer’s desktop once connected to a remote host.
The Best Ways to Secure Remote Access
Regardless of the advantages, a company or employer cannot control certain factors. As a result, secure remote access becomes critical. Fortunately, doing so is not difficult. Some of the most effective strategies are as follows:
Using Virtual Private Networks
On the other hand, VPN deployment is a popular method for quickly securing remote access. Employees can use the VPN connection to access company applications and data securely. It may also have firewall restrictions preventing you from accessing certain external services or applications connected through your company’s VPN service. It requires little effort to train users or employees to use it.
Security Policies
Even if the most robust security service is in place, it is occasionally the user’s or employee’s responsibility. As a result, you should develop organizational security policies that everyone can follow and help educate users unfamiliar with certain security practices.
The policy should specify what to do in the event of an emergency (for example, a security breach) and what not to do when remotely accessing the network. To avoid confusion, inform security technologies of the policy’s users.
Zero-Trust Access
The modern solution to any problem is zero-trust network access. It is based on the tenet “never trust, always verify.” The service assumes that the network has already been compromised, so it verifies every user and device before taking action.
Even if your company’s operations have been jeopardized, this reduces risk and minimizes damage. Although it aspires to be an all-in-one solution and may eventually replace VPNs, it may be more expensive than other traditional methods.
Intrusion Detection Systems
Intrusion detection and prevention systems safeguard networks and applications by reducing attacks. It is possible to prevent the emergence of new threats through intensive monitoring.
These systems are set up to monitor your network, log data, and respond to incidents. It watches network traffic for suspicious behavior and known threats. You can combat ongoing attacks with an intrusion detection system (IDS) and prevent incoming attacks with an intrusion prevention system (IPS).
Firewall
The VPN network restricts access to specific resources for user security. However, a comprehensive firewall solution is always beneficial.
Local and cloud-based firewalls are both available. Cloud-based firewalls are the best option for remote workers. It enables the organization to quickly and easily scale up network security protections.
Password Manager, MFA
Everyone, in general, should use a password manager. Password sharing and protection are top priorities for businesses.
You should be able to use strong passwords thanks to a password manager. Even if an attacker gains access to your network, using multifactor authentication increases security. It ensures the safety of user accounts as well as critical network access.
Data Encryption, Backup
You must protect your data if you want to be prepared for the worst. To get started, read our article on file encryption; however, be warned that it is surprisingly simple. You must have a backup of your data in addition to encryption. It would be ideal if you could set up an off-site backup.
As a result, in the event of a security breach, you won’t have to worry about data recovery because the encrypted files will be useless to the attackers. Using Secure Software
Insecure applications render enterprise-grade security ineffective. You must know that your applications are already secure for your security to function correctly. If this is the case, malicious hackers will be less likely to try to break into your network.
Educate Your Staff
It may be impossible to enforce security policies if employees and users are unaware of them.
For example, your entire network could be compromised if someone falls for a simple phishing email. As a result, standard security training can help you and your users prevent common attacks like phishing.
Identity Management and Access
The Identity Access and Management (IAM) framework is used to manage user accounts, passwords, and access levels.
Instead of relying on manual methods, the framework should allow you to automate all of your processes. It streamlines processes and lowers the cost of improving your organization’s security.
What Varieties of Remote Access Are There?
Previously, businesses used dial-up and modem technologies to allow employees to connect to office networks via telephone networks linked to remote access servers. Analog modems connected to dial-up networks dial assigned phone numbers to establish connections and send and receive messages.
Remote users can quickly connect to business networks and the internet using broadband. Broadband is available in a variety of configurations, including the following:
- Because cable broadband users share available bandwidth, upstream data rates in densely populated areas can be slow during peak usage hours.
- DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) broadband uses broadband modem technology to provide high-speed networking over a telephone network. On the other hand, DSL has a limited range and may not be available everywhere if the local telephone network does not support DSL technology.
- Mobile devices can access cellular internet services through a wireless connection from any location with a cellular network.
- Satellite internet services connect users to the internet via telecommunications satellites in temporary mobile installations and areas without land-based internet access.
- Thanks to fiber optic broadband technology, users can send and receive large amounts of data quickly and easily.
Examples of Remote Access
Assume you are stuck in an airport and require access to a critical file on your work computer. You can connect to your work computer remotely using your smartphone or tablet, the remote access app, and a file.
Your computer’s desktop screen will look the same on your mobile device or tablet. Access the required file by opening it, editing, saving, emailing, or transferring it to the remote device.
IT, help desks, and managed service providers can all benefit significantly from using remote access to provide remote support. Without physically visiting the device, technicians could quickly establish a remote connection to take control and resolve a problem.
Individuals, Teams, and Organizations Can Work Remotely With Remote Access
If you (or your team) require remote access to your work computers from any location. At any time, Splashtop Business Access is the solution.
Splashtop Business Access allows you to securely access your Windows, Mac, or Linux computer from anywhere. Any computer, tablet, or use a smartphone running Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, Android, or Chrome OS for remote access.
Splashtop Business Access is an excellent tool for increasing efficiency, with features such as remote printing, drag-and-drop file sharing, multi-monitor support, and remote wake. It is possible to control your office computer remotely and in real-time in high definition.
If Splashtop remote access for work from home appeals to you, you can learn more and start a free trial immediately.
Remote Learning Is Possible
Allow students remote access to the computers in the school’s computer lab, allowing them to use the hardware and software while studying! Find out more about online education.
Help Desk and It Support Services via Remote Access
Consult a remote access solution like Splashtop SOS if you want to use remote access to support your users’ devices when needed.
With Splashtop SOS, you can use a simple session code to log into any Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android device. You will have the ability to add remote access to your managed computers and support an unlimited number of devices.
Conclusion
Suppose you do not take the necessary precautions when performing remote operations. In that case, your access may be completely disrupted, resulting in various problems. Although remote access is unquestionably convenient, users will have a better overall experience if they are aware of the most effective tools and solutions.
Securing remote access can be daunting, but gradual implementation should help to maintain a calm workplace. As the demand for remote work grows, you’ll find new ways to streamline the process. The best strategy for securing remote access is constantly investigating more unusual options while keeping simplicity and practicability in mind.
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