As Remote Access becomes more and more common, it’s essential to ensure that your connection is secure. There are many ways that hackers can get into your system without you even knowing, so here are some tips on this article on how to make sure they don’t.
The most widespread and well-known type of secure remote access, VPNs use the public Internet to connect to a private network resource over an encrypted tunnel. Let us discuss further ways to improve the security of remote access in detail.
Is Remote Access Safe?
When working from a remote location, it’s essential to understand that there are security risks involved. When working from an internet café, hackers could monitor the network and intercept your messages while you’re typing them. Your connections may not even be secure when using a wireless connection in a coffee shop or hotel lobby.
How To Make Remote Access Safe?
There are some ways you can make your remote access connection more secure.
Using A Virtual Private Network (VPN)
First, it’s recommended that you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to connect back into the network from wherever you are working. This creates an encrypted tunnel between your home computer and the corporate office so no one else can tap in. A VPN is considered to be the most secure remote access.
Two Factor Authentication
Also, there should be two-factor authentication, which requires the user to have two items to gain access. For instance, you could use a password and an ATM card number for this example.
Remote workers must understand how security is handled while working on their home computer or even just outside the office. By ensuring that the connection is secure, you can help to avoid any security risks or breaches in information.
Advanced Security Measures For Remote Access
If you want to go a step further, some advanced security measures can be used as well.
For example, two-factor authentication requires a password and another type of verification before gaining access. This could be a security token or an out-of-band communication, which requires you to talk to someone else through the phone before gaining access.
A Proper VPN Solution Is Essential
For many companies, it’s also essential that they have a proper Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution in place. This allows users outside of the office to connect back into the corporate network and access any information they need. This type of access should be encrypted and secure, which will minimize any risk that comes with remote workers.
Using Role-based Access To Keep Unauthorized Users Out
It’s also essential to use role-based access controls that help control who can do what in the corporate network.
For example, suppose you only want certain employees working on specific projects while out of the office. In that case, you can set this up using companies’ existing Active Directory capabilities. This way, no one else will log into the network and access the necessary information.
Centralized Multi-Factor Authentication
It’s also essential to consider centralized multi-factor authentication, which is a system that provides information through two or more factors. For example, you could use an RSA token and something they know, like their password, for this type of verification process.
A Dedicated Partner Is Essential For Remote Access Security
Finally, it’s recommended that you work with a dedicated partner for remote access security. This can be an outsourced IT service provider who is familiar with the latest technology and implementing security strategies.
Logging All Sessions
When it comes to remote access security, you should also consider logging all sessions so managers can see who has been accessing the network and when. This is especially important in the event of a security breach so you can go back and look at when it happened. Logging all sessions is also helpful because it can be used to track when employees are working remotely.
Whitelisting Applications
You should also consider whitelisting applications for remote access security. This way, only specific programs can be used by employees outside of the office, which will help prevent threats or viruses from coming into your network. For example, if you know that no one has installed any new toolbar extensions on their browser lately, then it’s safe to whitelist it.
Security Measures Must Be In Place Before Remote Access Is Allowed
It’s also essential to ensure that security measures are in place before you allow remote access, which means having things like a secure VPN with authentication available when users are working outside of the office. You should implement these solutions before allowing employees to work remotely, so everything is in place when they begin using it.
Finally, it’s also crucial that management is involved in remote access security. This means having an open dialogue about safety and ensuring they fully understand the guidelines to keep everyone safe while working on a project outside of the office.
There should be no surprises when it comes to security, so communication with management about how these solutions work and what they can do to help keep everyone safe.
Conclusion
To make Remote Access Secure, you should implement these solutions before allowing employees to work remotely. Remote access should be allowed but only with the proper security measures because some severe risks and breaches can come from working outside the office.
