Remote Access Security Best Practices to Secure Remote Working. With the increasing potential for remote working, businesses need to put in place effective security measures to protect their networks and data from cyber attacks. Critical in ensuring remote security are the best procedures for accessing the confidentiality, integrity and availability of sensitive information accessed remotely.
In this article, we explore the key principles of remote access security. That includes the use of strong authentication methods, secure remote access solutions, network segmentation and employee education. We are also going to discuss the importance of regularly reviewing and updating security policies and protocols to stay ahead of changing threats.
By putting these practices in place, companies minimise the risks posed by the use of remote access and protect their critical data and assets from cyber threats.
Shall we start with Remote Access Security Best Practices to Secure Remote Working?
What is Secure Remote Access?
This technology refers to the secure remote access used to access remotely. Primary example is remote desktop. What is it? Simplest explanation is a remote controlled software. What it does, it allows users to connect to a specific computer and control it over the internet. As if they are right there.
Secondly, remote desktop is a client application. RDP allows a a remote computer client to connect to a “host” computer from any remote location. Users send files remotely, access applications. as if there are right in front of there
With there rise of remote access, there is more opportunities for internet hackers or malicious individuals to take advantage of finding vulnerabilities and data leaks. In the remote working infrastructure, it is imperative for companies to use security strategies to apply for remote working and secure remote use.
Your first and most important step into a secure remote infrastructure is to ensure that employees have consistent and secure remote access to all resources and services. No matter how flexible everything is in a remote working environment. But we do know data security is often a critical aspect to consider in an infrastructure.
Importance of Secure Remote Access
Employees work more and more on remote basis. The nature and extent of cyber security threat rises and extends.
There are new kinds of risks emerging, which include:
- Employees using home PCs, often working remotely, are exposed to malware without their knowledge. They are targeted on home routers, mobile devices or insecure Wi-Fi networks. It is more and more difficult for IT staff to stop this from happening.
- In situations, where people that work remotely for corporation, the data unfortunately gets transferred over a public internet connection. So, when the protocol for transferring data is not sufficiently secured, third parties reach the connection and steal confidential information.
- Another scenario, where one works from a home office and requires a broader set of tools, such as remote desktop protocol and virtual private network (VPN). In turn, that increases the attack surface and creates new potential vulnerabilities.
- Phishing attacks aren’t unique to remote workers, but there is more possibility when employees work remotely.
- Preventative measures such as email security are also much more difficult to implement when working out of office.
Benefits of Secure Remote Access
Therefore, to deploy a secure remote approach solution as part of a cyber security program helps businesses to reduce their security risks. What is more, it allows to decrease their operational complexity, enhance visibility of privileged access and follow compliance standards. So, what are the benefits of secure remote access?
- Allows granular access to third parties and external systems.
- Facilitates compliance with various remote access standards.
- Provides centralised access to geographically separated assets.
- Improves productivity and facilitates administration.
- Broadens development of further technologies once security of data is taken care of from remote perspective.
Which technologies are used for Remote Access ?
Secure network access is effectively realised by using a set of highly innovative, secure and flexible technologies, when accessing a system or application from a remote location. Some important examples of such technologies are listed below:
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
ZTNA’s operations are surrounded by security policies that are applied by organisations. Just as the name suggests, the solution places zero trust in the security of the connection and requests re-authentication every time it is used.
Additionally, the opposite of VPN is precisely what ZTNA is. They do not give users open access. Access to given services and all applications is determined by applicable security policies. What’s more, solutions we may encounter regarding ZTNA are handy tools that provide secure secure connectivity on unknown networks. Companies develop security policies that allow access for each device or application. This makes it possible to use a ZTNA solution to enforce them.
Network Access Control (NAC)
Network Access Control is typically enforced by endpoint security tools, two factor authentication and the organisation’s network security policy. Generally Network Access Control refers to all measures that are taken to protect the corporate network from possible threats and breaches from outside and. In some cases, even inside the organisation.
Furthermore NAC helps to assign restricted access to individuals and is usually determined by the management of the department or organisation.
Privileged access management (PAM)
This combination mainly refers to tools that are used to effectively monitor and manage and protect access to certain information related to the organisation of specific accounts. With Pam, we have a broad view of certain activities performed through privileged accounts. We ensure that no unusual activities are performed.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Many people know about VPNs. Well, it is a private network that has the most widely used security technology in the world of remote working. A VPN gives you full security control when accessing your network remotely. What’s more, users connect to private networks through an encrypted tunnel or server.
Moreover, VPNs fall into two categories. The first is the remote type. This is used when individual users are trying to access a private network over the internet. While the second type is Site to Site. This one comes into play when there is a need for entire networks to connect to each other over the internet.
Best Practices for Secure Remote Work Access
Secure access to remote working is a key issue for companies and organisations. Especially in the face of the pandemic that has forced many people to work from home. So what are the best practices?
Strong password policies
The most common cause of account hacks is undoubtedly the use of weak passwords. Companies must implement strong passwords to prevent such attacks. It is important for policies to check the number of characters and length as well as complexity when users set their passwords.
Firstly, it is difficult to capture complex and strong passwords these days and because we have passwords for different applications. Therefore, use password managers to maintain important passwords. Generally, these two password managers are LastPass and 1Password, which are the most popular and most used by large corporations and beyond. Both of these managers use powerfully strong encryption and hashing to keep stored passwords secure. Ideally, an encrypted password should not have personal information such as date of birth or names for example. In addition, it should contain a combination of alphanumeric and special characters. And all this to make it more difficult to hack.
Certainly encourage or provide your employees with strong passwords.
Consistent patches and updates
Frequent software updates ideally factor in to ensure that there are no vulnerabilities or unpatched gaps in systems. Internet hackers are actively involved in spotting opportunities to exploit security vulnerabilities to steal data.
Ignoring security patches and updates for a reasonable period of time has long term, catastrophic impact on data integrity and security. Timely patches and updates not only fix security vulnerabilities, but also improve application performance.
Anti Malware and Antivirus software
On the other hand, Anti-malware and antivirus solutions present block malicious files and potential viruses. Hence, for regulatory compliance, you must own these software.
Mobile device management
Solutions such as MDM offer interesting options such as flexibility and control over remote devices, regardless of where they are located.
Thanks to the use of MDM, your devices have increased security. They allow you to install updates, configure applications, monitor and manage security features. Surely go ahead and use intelligently the MDM solution to mitigate most of the risks associated with your remote access routines and to make the access more secure.
Multi Factor Authentication
MFA is a perfect mechanism for security. In addition, there are no additional costs associated with setting up any type of multi factor authentication, for example, two-factor. Two factor authentication issues a message for users to provide an additional one time password or token along with the presentation of these benefits to verify their identity. This gives hackers more problems for access.
Security training and awareness
It is true that exclusive use of systems and technologies won’t protect you from hackers. No matter how much you invest in the right security measures, new workers are a risk for your systems and applications. Well, Cybercriminals are now using social engineering tactics and phishing attacks to do serious damage to organizations. Human error is the main contributor to these attacks.
Thus, the need for security awareness and regular training is an essential step to build awareness among employees and maintain a safe management field.
Risk Assessments and Security Audits
The most effective actions that are implemented is conducting regular activities related to risk assessment and security audits. As a result, the risk assessment makes it easier to identify and assess the problem and vulnerability that have a fatal effect on the overall security of remote access to your applications.
What’s more, exclusive remote services and enterprise wide work audits let you focus on critical aspects of your remote environment. Examples being: VPN logins, network ports, user permissions, and cloud security.
In general, with a well documented report, it’s much easier to find potential user activities or anomalies in network traffic. What’s more, it helps you to prepare for the future and plan the use of new technologies. Besides, well and carefully develop security measures do avoid threats.
Thank you for reading Remote Access Security Best Practices to Secure Remote Working. We shall conclude the article now.
Remote Access Security Best Practices to Secure Remote Working Conclusion
In conclusion, securing remote access is critical for organizations that want to enable remote work while protecting sensitive data and resources. Do follow our best practices such as using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication. Use VPN, keep software up to date, limit access. Besides, use secure cloud services, educate employees, and implement security policies. That way businesses reduce the risk of cyber attacks and data breaches. It’s important to remember that secure remote work is an ongoing process that requires regular review and updates. Finally, this ensures that security measures are effective in protecting against evolving threats.
