What Is Secure Remote Access? Solutions And Best Practices To Ensure Your Company's Security
Consider this scenario: A financial advisory firm with a global client base requires its employees to access sensitive financial data from anywhere—whether they’re working from home, traveling for client meetings, or collaborating across different offices. With flexible work comes the heightened risk of cyberattacks, and a single breach could damage client trust and lead to regulatory consequences. In environments like these, ensuring secure remote access isn’t just a priority—it’s essential to protecting the business and its assets.
As of 2023, 72% of global respondents expressed concerns about the cybersecurity risks associated with remote work.
So, how secure is your company’s remote access strategy? And how can you improve it? This article will guide you through the fundamentals of secure remote access and share the best practices to safeguard your company’s digital assets.
What is secure remote access?
Secure remote access is a group of technologies and protocols that allows users to securely connect to a network from remote locations.
The process typically involves strong authentication methods like multi-factor authentication (MFA), encryption, and secure virtual private network (VPN) connections. Remote access allows companies to support employees with secure work-from-home arrangements or use devices as remote desktops to connect to their company’s networks.
Why is secure remote access important?
The rise in remote and hybrid work models directly corresponds with the increasing importance of securing remote access. However, as many companies still adapt to new working arrangements, it is not without risks. Unauthorized access, data breaches, and exposure to malware and phishing attacks comprise just a few of the challenges you could encounter.
These challenges are exacerbated by the increasing use of personal devices that might not be as secure as a corporate network. For example, a 2023 report found that a significant portion of cyberattacks exploit exposed Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) services.
Secure remote access technology and strategies
Organizations employ various technologies and strategies to secure their remote access systems. Below, we’ll talk about a few of the most common. Keep in mind that using not one but several of these technologies concurrently will encourage a better security posture.
Virtual private network (VPN)
VPNs are foundational in providing secure remote access. They establish an encrypted tunnel between the user’s device and the network, and data remains confidential and secure from intercepts during transmission.
Two main types of VPNs are used in organizations: site-to-site VPNs, which connect entire networks, and remote access VPNs, which connect individual users to a network.
The major advantages of VPNs include enhanced privacy and security, while their drawbacks often involve complexity in setup and potential slowdowns in network performance.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
MFA enhances security by requiring multiple proofs of identity before access is granted, such as:
- Something the user knows (password)
- Something they have (a token or phone)
- Something they are (biometrics)
Combining multiple factors significantly lowers the risk of unauthorized access, as malicious actors must be able to provide all three, or access will be denied. A lost mobile device, weak password, or other security vulnerability isn’t enough to cause a breach with MFA enforced during logins.
Best practices for implementing MFA include using it across all access points to sensitive systems and making sure that the MFA is user-friendly to avoid resistance from your users.
Single sign-on (SSO)
Single sign-on (SSO) refers to a user authentication process allowing access to multiple applications with one login credentials. A centralized dashboard generally facilitates subsequent access to individual applications. The goal is to streamline the user experience and enhance productivity.
While SSO does offer this convenience by reducing password fatigue, it can also pose a risk: a single compromised credential can give an attacker access to all linked applications. So, pairing any single sign-on platform with a robust MFA is important to balance convenience with security.
Remote desktop protocols (RDP)
Remote desktop protocols (RDP) allow users to control a remote computer’s desktop interface as if they were physically present at the computer. It is useful for remote administrators, tech support, and working remotely in a desktop environment.
Like any connection, remote desktop security has risks, such as man-in-the-middle attacks and ransomware. But, like many protocols, human error is the biggest concern. Pair it with complex passwords and a VPN whenever possible to ensure the best remote desktop security.
Network access control (NAC)
Network access control (NAC) systems help organizations control access to their networks by enforcing security policies that determine who can access the network and what resources they can access.
NAC helps assess devices' security posture before allowing access so that only compliant devices can log in. The biggest concern with NAC systems remains their management complexity and the significant resources required to maintain them.
Zero-trust network access (ZTNA)
Organizations that adopt zero-trust policies operate on a ‘never trust, always verify’ stance.
Zero-trust network access (ZTNA) strategies can be more secure than traditional VPNs because they limit access based on strict identity verification and context, regardless of the user’s location. This method reduces the attack surface by not allowing lateral movement within a network. Of course, strict access controls and continuous monitoring remain necessary.
Secure Shell (SSH)
SSH is a protocol for secure system administration and file transfers over insecure networks. It provides strong password and public key authentication and encrypts the connection to prevent the interception of sensitive data. Best practices for SSH include using key-based authentication instead of passwords, rotating keys regularly, and using SSH management tools to streamline deployment and rotation.
Endpoint security
Endpoint security involves protecting devices—desktops, laptops, and mobile devices. The most common strategies include installing antivirus software firewalls and performing regular updates. Managing these user devices effectively requires continuous monitoring and response strategies to adapt to new threats.
Remote access software
Remote access software like ScreenConnect Remote Access allows users to control another computer remotely. This type of software is essential for IT support and managing a remote workforce.
Remote access software often includes features such as file transfer, remote printing, and even remote reboot capabilities. But as with anything, security considerations include ensuring strong authentication, encrypted connections, and detailed access logging to prevent unauthorized access.
Best practices for secure remote access
Effective remote access extends beyond technology deployment. It also involves strategies that integrate access control, rigorous monitoring, and ongoing management of security measures.
Embrace privileged access management
Privileged access management (PAM), or ensuring that users only have access necessary for their roles, is critical to secure remote access. It follows the principle of least privilege, which limits a user’s access and capabilities more strictly than other systems. This intent resembles ZTNA by emphasizing access should only be granted to resources essential for a given employee’s role.
With reduced access, you reduce the risk of insider threats and limit the potential damage from account compromises. Best practices include regularly reviewing and updating access rights (‘attestation and reconciliation’), implementing MFA for sensitive systems, and using session monitoring to detect unusual activities.
Outline role-based access
Role-based access control (RBAC) is vital for efficiently managing large user bases and providing resources. Instead of assigning permissions based on a user, they are assigned based on the user’s role (e.g., job title). Some organizations might benefit from a similar attribute-based access control (ABAC), which also considers variables like an employee’s department or their assigned physical branch in addition to roles.
Since uniformity results in fewer privileged accounts and more clearly defined roles, RBAC and similar provisioning methods make auditing easier and enhance security.
Create a secure remote access policy
A comprehensive privileged access policy sets the foundation for remote work security. It covers who can access resources, under what conditions, and with which security measures. Including third-party vendors in your policy ensures they adhere to the same security standards and protects your network from external threats.
Use encryption and data protection
Encryption is vital in protecting the data transmitted during remote access sessions from interception. Types of encryption you may see include data-in-transit, data-at-rest, and end-to-end encryption. For the best results, use stronger standards like AES-256 and ensure your encryption keys are securely stored and managed.
Prioritize user authentication
User authentication is a given. It ensures that only authorized users can access your network. Using MFA, regularly updating protocols, and educating users on the importance of strong passwords are some of the critical best practices in mitigating security risks.
Monitor and log sessions
Monitoring and logging are essential for detecting and responding to security incidents in a timely manner. Key metrics to monitor include login attempts, file access, and system setting changes.
While organizations monitor these metrics, automated tools can also help track user activities, set up alerts for unusual actions, and maintain comprehensive logs for future analysis.
Make regular updates and patches
Keeping remote access software and systems up to date is important for closing security vulnerabilities. Regular updates and patches protect against known exploits.
Companies achieve new efficiencies and more easily maintain their cybersecurity posture by automating the patch management process and prioritizing patches based on risk assessments. Testing updates in a controlled environment before broad deployment will make sure that you see fewer outages or major issues.
Conduct regular audits
Regular security audits help identify your remote access setup vulnerabilities and assess compliance with established policies. Conduct both internal and external audits, acting quickly on any findings to reduce risk.
Educate employees
Employee education is another fundamental security measure. Regular training sessions on the latest security threats, safe remote access practices, and proper data handling can reduce the risk of breaches. Use engaging content to see the best results and assess employee understanding through tests and continuous learning.
Learn more about remote access software
As businesses navigate the complexities of remote work, ScreenConnect Remote Access offers a reliable way to protect your company’s data while empowering employees to work securely from anywhere. Just as we discussed the importance of multi-factor authentication (MFA), encryption, and role-based access, ScreenConnect integrates these critical security measures to ensure your operations are always protected.
Whether you're troubleshooting remotely, accessing sensitive systems, or managing a distributed team, ScreenConnect provides seamless, secure connectivity to keep your business running smoothly. Discover how our remote access software can be the backbone of your secure remote access strategy.
FAQs
Why is secure remote access important?
Secure remote access is essential for protecting sensitive data and systems from cyber threats, especially as remote work becomes more prevalent. It ensures that only authorized users can access the network, minimizing the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks.
How does multi-factor authentication enhance secure remote access?
MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide two or more verification factors to gain access. This makes it harder for attackers to compromise accounts even if they have stolen a password.
What is the role of zero trust network access in secure remote access?
ZTNA is a security framework that assumes no user or device should be trusted by default, even inside the network. It continuously verifies users and devices before granting access, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
How can organizations ensure their remote access solutions are secure?
Organizations can ensure secure remote access by implementing strong encryption, regularly auditing access controls, applying security patches promptly, and using advanced threat detection tools to identify and respond to potential security incidents.
Can remote access be secure without a VPN?
Yes, remote access can be secure without a VPN using other secure methods such as ZTNA, remote desktop protocol with proper safeguards, or cloud-based security solutions offering encrypted connections and stringent access controls.
How often should remote access security policies be reviewed?
Remote access security policies should be reviewed regularly, at least annually, or whenever a significant change in the IT environment or a new threat emerges to ensure they remain effective and up-to-date.