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The world has experienced a remarkable shift in how we work, communicate, and interact in an ever-evolving digital environment. Remote access technology allows users to interact with their devices and systems as if they were physically present where the device is located.
It has become an essential requisite for businesses and individuals, enabling increased productivity, flexibility, and convenience in various scenarios without compromising security.
Remote access has become increasingly prevalent, especially in the post-COVID era, with more and more employees working remotely.
Another scenario when remote access comes into play is when IT technicians log into employees' devices remotely to troubleshoot and fix technical problems.
Secure remote access provides the means for authorized users to gain remote access to systems, resources, or networks after verifying exactly who they claim to be. It adds an additional layer of security to the remote work paradigm so staff members, collaborators, or vendors can use corporate resources without jeopardizing confidential data.
Secure remote access collectively refers to the security measures, policies and technologies that organizations use to identify, verify, and authenticate users, devices, or applications to sensitive resources within the corporate network. It is essential to specify who can access which systems, when they can do so, from what devices, and what tasks they can execute before connecting to a remote session. Based on least privilege or role-based access control (RBAC) principles, the user is given limited access to the specified systems in the company network following successful authentication. Without the need to provide passwords, remote sessions (RDP, SSH, etc.) are penetrated across encrypted, secure routes. All online meetings are videotaped for forensic purposes along with real-time monitoring capabilities.
Without these security and authentication measures in place, remote access can invite a host of risks that can put the organization’s sensitive assets at risk.
One of the biggest risks associated with remote access is the vulnerabilities associated with endpoints. With hybrid work culture taking precedence, a vast majority of inbound connections for organizations now originate from employees’ home networks or from other insecure geographical locations. Remote devices in these networks can easily be subjected to malware and phishing assaults, especially if proper security measures, such as antivirus software, firewalls, or user awareness, are not in place. This in turn puts the entire organizational security at stake.
Lack of physical control makes endpoints prone to credential theft and data breaches. Unwanted access by family members or coworkers or exposure to other environmental hazards is also unsafe. Another big problem is excessive privileges. This gives rise to two kinds of problems. Malicious or disgruntled employees having more privileges than required can gain legitimate access to mission-critical resources, steal more credentials, and establish backdoors, thereby vandalizing the organization's entire security chain. Also, non-malicious users who have excessive privileges might cause unintentional harm by accessing and exposing sensitive information.
Before understanding remote access security, let’s quickly look at some of the legacy remote access technologies used and their security pitfalls.
VPNs create a private connection between a remote device and a safe and encrypted channel. It stops unauthorized individuals from listening in on traffic and enables the user to work remotely.
SSH is a network protocol that uses cryptography to enable secure remote access to devices over an unsecured network. It is frequently used in Unix-like operating systems for secure file transfers and remote administration.
VPNs create a private connection between a remote device and a safe and encrypted channel. It stops unauthorized individuals from listening in on traffic and enables the user to work remotely.
Some systems can access remote devices through a web browser thanks to their web-based user interfaces that typically use secure protocols like HTTPS to provide data encryption and safety.
All these remote access tools, while they help organizations with uninterrupted access, there are some specific disadvantages and potential security hazards. For example, while VPN provides a secure, encrypted connection to the organizational network, if the login credentials are lost or stolen, the workplace network may be vulnerable to off-site hacks and end up being compromised. Due to their lack of contemporary security features, susceptibility to well-known attack vectors, and limited integration with current security standards, outdated remote access methods pose major security threats.
To address the limitations of the above discussed legacy remote access systems, organizations have designed leading technologies.
| Core Strengths | Description |
|---|---|
| Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) | ZTNA runs on “never trust, always verify” model and offers granular access based on identity, device posture, and contextual factors. Also, it reduces risks like lateral movement and privilege escalation. |
| Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) | SASE brings together network security functions (firewalls, CASB) and WAN capabilities in a cloud-delivered model. Also, it is ideal for distributed enterprises with global workforces. |
| Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) | SDP creates dynamic, identity-centric perimeters for granular access control. Also, it prevents unauthorized access by hiding network resources from unauthorized users. |
| Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) | MFA augments security by recommending multiple verification methods like passwords, biometrics, and more. Also, it slashes the risks of credential thefts. |
| Adaptive Authentication | This alters security requirements dynamically based on contextual factors like device health and user location. |
| Continuous Authentication | This constantly verifies user identity throughout a session, enhancing security against session hijacking or unauthorized access. |
| Identity-Based Contextual Access | This provides least-privilege access based on user roles and device compliance, reducing the attack surface significantly. |
| Browser-Based Secure Remote Access Solution | This secures web sessions through browser-based platforms, offering seamless integration with SaaS applications and identity providers. |
| Cloud-Based Remote Access Platforms | This enables secure access to SaaS and self-hosted apps using context-based policies while eliminating lateral movement risks. |
| Privileged Access Management (PAM) | PAM secures administrative accounts by enforcing strict access controls and monitoring privileged sessions to prevent misuse or credential theft. |
| Endpoint Security Integration | This ensures devices connecting to corporate networks are free from malware or vulnerabilities before granting access. |
Securing remote access is critical for safeguarding sensitive data, ensuring network security, and adhering to compliance regulations. By deploying comprehensive remote security procedures, organizations can limit risks and maintain their resources' confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Remote access frequently requires data transmission over untrusted networks such as the Internet. Now that the physical perimeter is no longer completely reliable, incoming access should be thoroughly verified with parameters user ID, device ID, and location to ensure it is legit. Secure remote access can be used to build secure tunnels that protect data from interception or modification.
To gain unauthorized access, malicious actors may attempt to exploit flaws in secure remote access solutions or employ brute force approaches. Strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular software upgrades all help to lower the likelihood of successful assaults.
Organizations should adhere to security best practices, carry out routine security audits and vulnerability assessments, train users on secure remote access procedures, and implement multi-layered security measures to safeguard remote access systems and the data they handle to address these security concerns. Remote access security is a significant worry for businesses, but proper training and effective communication can help elevate the overall organizational security to an extent. However, relying on manual processes alone to reinstate remote access security is highly cumbersome and error-prone. Some degree of automation is required to address this pressing issue.
Secure remote access and VPNs differ from each other in their approach to establishing connectivity and addressing security. VPNs, aka Virtual Private Networks, encompass a traditional technique that creates an encrypted tunnel between the end user’s device and organization network. This helps remote workers access internal resources and assets safely. But there’s a caveat – VPNs often function on “trust but verify” model. Here, it grants overall access to network resources once authentication is completed. This method exposes the organization to severe risks like lateral movement by attackers once an endpoint gets compromised.
On the other hand, secure remote access involves a wide range of technologies dedicated to offering controlled/granular access to specific applications rather than the entire network. Contemporary secure remote access software implements Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), adhering to “never trust, always verify” model. Unlike VPNs, ZTNA continuously verifies the identity of users and security status of the devices before granting access. This way it ensures that only authorized staff have access to specific resources.
VPN is best for small organizations with straightforward network architectures. Also, VPNs require client software installation on each end user’s device. However, secure remote access solutions provide more flexibility by ensuring clientless access through web-based portals or integrating seamlessly with cloud-based apps. Secure remote access solutions are ideal for distributed workforces and complex security requirements. Some results it offers include visibility, continuous monitoring, and adaptive controls.
Secure remote access is an overarching framework that enables remote workers to make secure connections to an organization’s resources. Authentication is an integral part of secure remote access; in that it ensures only authorized users gain access to sensitive systems and data.
Authentication encompasses sophisticated techniques, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), adaptive authentication, and biometric verification.
In summary, authentication focuses on confirming user identity, whereas secure remote access relies on encryption, endpoint security, and precise access controls. Collectively, these strategies enhance data confidentiality during transmission and limit access according to user roles and device compliance.
Adopting a secure remote access solution entails a plethora of benefits, including visibility into privileged access and compliance adherence.
#1 Get centralized control over geographically dispersed resources
With remote and hybrid work becoming the norm, organizations are turning to secure remote access solutions to put strict guardrails over asset access. Remote access helps with setting granular/specific control on access pathway. IT admins can accrue centralized control for managing sensitive assets across the globe.
#2 Put in place granular access to third parties and external systems
Secure remote access solutions help in rendering time-limited access to third parties like vendors, contractors, and outsourced staff. It combats the need for remembering privileged credentials while extending access to critical enterprise platforms.
#3 Simpler and more effective supervision
With secure remote access solution, you can centrally administer otherwise distributed remote resources, achieving productivity gains. For instance, a privileged user can manage remote servers, troubleshoot and update if needed seamlessly.
#4 Real-time monitoring of privileged remote sessions
IT admins get the ability to monitor and track privileged remote sessions through secure remote access solutions. This in effect gives rise to organizational transparency and curbs the chances of insider threats or exploitation.
It is critical to incorporate a secure remote access strategy while building a solid and dependable remote access infrastructure. Some of the essential best practices include:
SSO is a user authentication strategy that uses a single set of login credentials to authenticate users and grant them access to remote apps, servers and services throughout the IT infrastructure.
Password Manager locks down passwords, access keys, files, and other sensitive data in your enterprise in a central vault and protects them. It also promotes password hygiene across the organization and helps administrators enforce tight internal controls.
Ensure that only legitimate users gain access to privileged systems by bringing in attribute-based access control where attributes such as user ID, device ID, and location are thoroughly verified.
Access permissions for users, accounts, and computing processes are restricted to only those resources needed to accomplish legitimate tasks. Standing privileges should completely be eliminated and users should be given elevated privileges only when absolutely required, that too for exactly for the amount of time needed to perform their activities.
Define and control which applications can be run by users with varying levels of privileges. Whitelist trusted applications and prevent unapproved and malicious applications.
Define and control which applications can be run by users with varying levels of privileges. Whitelist trusted applications and prevent unapproved and malicious applications.
Securden helps enterprises successfully enforce remote access security and protect vital systems and data from unwanted access and cyber threats through strong authentication capabilities, privileged session management, least privilege controls, and endpoint security.
Explore how Securden Unified PAM enforces remote access security across your network!
