What Is Secure Remote Access?

• Secure Remote Access Definition

  Secure Remote Access Definition

  Secure remote access refers to IT security strategies, policies, and tools that enable authorized users to connect to an organization’s network, systems, applications, and more from remote locations without putting the entire network at risk. With proper secure remote access strategies, organizations can provide access to those who need it while helping prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and other cyber threats.

  Thanks to secure remote access, organizations can provide continuous and secure access to systems, applications, data, documents, and more to employees and other users based on their roles, job duties, and specific needs. This is particularly useful for remote workers or geographically dispersed organizations.

  There are a few common methods for secure remote access, including:

  • Virtual private networks (VPNs)
  • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
  • Secure web gateways (SWGs)

  Each method offers unique benefits to ensure remote connections are safe and reliable and should be combined with additional security measures, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), endpoint protection, and continuous monitoring.

  The secure remote access process begins with authenticating users and ensuring they have received permission to access the system. Once authentication is successful, users gain access to the specific systems, applications, or data they are authorized to use according to their role and the organization’s access control policies. These remote sessions occur over secure communication channels, often provided by VPNs or SWGs, to help protect data from interception or tampering. Additionally, most remote sessions are recorded or logged to provide a comprehensive audit trail of user activities.
• Key Components of Secure Remote Access

  Key Components of Secure Remote Access

  Secure remote access involves several critical components, including authentication, SWGs, and encryption. Together, these components help protect sensitive data and reduce the risk of cyber threats.

  Authentication helps ensure only authorized users can access applications and resources from remote locations. Secure remote access solutions rely on several forms of authentication, including:

  • Passwords: Sometimes, secure remote access tools accept passwords. However, this form of authentication is relatively weak, as passwords can fall into the wrong hands through phishing attempts, brute force attacks, and data breaches, making them an insufficient standalone security measure for protecting highly sensitive systems and information.
  • MFA: MFA offers another layer of security, as users verify their identity through two (or more) methods to access secure systems or applications. This can include entering a password, providing a one-time code sent to their mobile device or email, using a hardware security key, or approving a login request through an authentication app.
  • Biometric verification: Finally, biometric verification takes authentication to the next level. Using this method, a user verifies their identity through unique physical characteristics. For example, they might need to scan their fingerprint, use facial recognition, or perform a retina or iris scan to verify their identity before accessing the remote resource or application. This authentication method is highly secure and helps ensure only the intended individuals can access the system, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

  SWGs are another key component of secure remote access. They serve as an intermediary between users and the internet, monitoring and filtering internet traffic to help enforce organization-wide security policies and block access to malicious and inappropriate websites. SWGs can inspect incoming and outgoing data and connections, helping organizations identify potential threats, respond to emerging cyber risks in real time, and prevent data loss by stopping the leakage of sensitive information, data breaches, phishing attacks, and more.

  Additionally, encrypting data transmission is a vital part of secure remote access, as it scrambles sensitive data so unauthorized parties cannot read it. Secure remote access solutions often use protocols like SSL/Transport Layer Security (TLS) or Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) to encrypt data transmitted between user devices and the network. SSL/TLS protocols can help encrypt data sent between websites and browsers using TLS handshakes and session keys, while IPsec authenticates and encrypts data packets to protect information shared between devices over internet protocol networks, and it is often used in VPNs.
• Technologies Used for Secure Remote Access

  Technologies Used for Secure Remote Access

  Several technologies make secure remote access possible. More specifically, secure remote access is enabled by:

  • VPNs: VPNs can create a secure, encrypted connection between remote users and your organization’s network to help protect data during transmission. There are two main types of VPNs: remote access VPNs and router-to-router VPNs. Remote access VPNs allow individual users to connect to a network from a remote location, while router-to-router VPNs can connect two or more networks, such as branch offices. VPNs provide strong encryption to safeguard data, but they can also introduce new potential vulnerabilities if not properly maintained and place additional strain on bandwidth.
  • RDP: RDP allows users to remotely access desktop computers or servers as if they were physically on-site. It is often used for IT support and remote troubleshooting, but it can be helpful when managing and updating systems. However, users need to protect their RDP sessions and prevent unauthorized access and potential security threats. For example, MFA and endpoint protection can help prevent unauthorized access and mitigate vulnerabilities associated with RDP.
  • Third-party remote access solutions: It’s also possible to turn to third-party remote access solutions. Third-party remote access solutions often include advanced features like session recording, real-time monitoring, MFA, and role-based access control. One powerful solution is SolarWinds^® Dameware^®. Dameware Mini Remote Control is an on-premises solution suitable for basic end-user support and troubleshooting, while Dameware Remote Support offers stronger remote-access capabilities and security from a single on-premises solution. Dameware Remote Everywhere is a software as a service solution that enables users to provide fast remote support and securely access remote Android and iOS devices.
• Risks Associated With Remote Access

  Risks Associated With Remote Access

  Remote access introduces several security vulnerabilities that can put an organization’s sensitive data and systems at risk. Allowing employees, contractors, and third-party vendors to connect to the network from outside a controlled environment creates additional entry points for cybercriminals, who may exploit these vulnerabilities. This makes robust risk management strategies essential.

  One common threat is RDP attacks, where bad actors exploit improperly secured RDP services to gain system access. For example, they might use brute force attacks to crack weak passwords or exploit unpatched vulnerabilities in the RDP solution. Once inside, attackers can move laterally through the network, steal sensitive data, deploy ransomware, disrupt operations, and cause further damage.

  VPNs also present risks. Though VPNs provide encryption for user connections, cybercriminals can also exploit them. This is especially true for outdated, poorly patched, unmonitored, or improperly configured VPNs. Bad actors may be able to use stolen credentials or exploit vulnerabilities in the VPN protocol to gain unauthorized access to your organization’s network.

  Phishing is also common. With remote work, employees have become increasingly reliant on email and messaging platforms. However, many are not as vigilant as they should be, making them prime targets for phishing scams that allow bad actors to steal login credentials or trick users into downloading malware and other malicious files. This opens the door for attackers to access your network and everything on it.

  You may also experience privileged access vulnerabilities, which pose a significant risk to your organization’s security. Privileged access users have many permissions and can access and modify critical systems and data. However, if their connections are compromised, bad actors can access your organization’s network. Once inside, they can not only steal sensitive information but also manipulate or delete critical data, further escalating their privileges. This can lead to service outages, data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage that can be difficult to recover from.
• Best Practices to Reduce Remote Access Security Risk

  Best Practices to Reduce Remote Access Security Risk

  To reduce the risks associated with remote access, it’s important to have robust risk management strategies and follow best practices, such as:

  • Using single sign-on (SSO): Using SSO to authenticate users can help streamline the login process. Instead of needing a unique set of credentials for each application and system, employees can sign in with a single set of login credentials. This simplifies and centralizes the authentication process while reducing the risk of password fatigue.
  • Using password management: Having a password management solution with a credential vault capable of storing and managing privileged credentials can significantly boost remote access security.
  • Having MFA: By mandating MFA, organizations add an extra layer of security to the authentication process. If a password is compromised, the bad actor will have difficulty accessing systems and applications, as users will need to verify their identity using a second factor like biometric data or a one-time code.
  • Implementing a zero trust network access (ZTNA): ZTNA takes a cautious approach to users and applications attempting to access network resources. Instead of automatically trusting every user or device within the network, ZTNA enforces strict verification and authentication processes for each access request and grants access only to those with the appropriate roles and privileges.
  • Issuing least privilege access policies: Having a least privilege policy means employees and other users do not have full access to systems, applications, or data for a long period unless it is necessary for their specific role. Instead, they only receive access when they need it to complete tasks.
  • Applying granular access controls: Granular access controls allow your organization to define and enforce detailed permissions based on specific factors, such as user roles, job functions, time of access, and location.
  • Managing endpoint assets: Secure remote access software that offers endpoint management adds more security. This allows you to better protect smartphones, laptops, desktops, and Internet of Things devices.
  • Monitoring and auditing privileged sessions: It’s also a good idea to monitor and audit user behavior in real time. This can help you identify and prevent unauthorized activities. Additionally, you can have a comprehensive audit trail, which can help you investigate security incidents, demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements, and improve your organization’s overall security posture.
  • Training employees: Having all these remote access best practices established is an excellent starting point, but they won’t do much good if employees don’t understand and follow them. Without employee buy-in and adherence to these practices, the most robust security measures can fall short. This is why it’s important to carefully train employees on secure remote access best practices and policies. Make sure to go over basic cybersecurity policies, common cyber threats and how to mitigate them, and proper usage of remote access tools.
• Compliance

  Compliance

  Notable regulations impacting remote access include the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). GDPR is a comprehensive privacy regulation that protects individuals’ personal data, granting them rights such as the ability to access, correct, and delete their data. HIPAA requires healthcare organizations to implement strict safeguards for protected health information (PHI).

  To comply with these regulations, your organization needs to implement best practices for data security, including data encryption, regular audits, and multi-factor authentication (MFA).

  Data encryption helps ensure sensitive information is protected during transmission and storage, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Regular audits and thorough documentation can help identify security gaps and ensure your organization’s data protection measures are being followed. They can also provide evidence for demonstrating compliance during regulatory inspections or investigations. MFA adds an additional layer of security, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive data, enhancing adherence to GDPR, HIPAA, and other regulatory requirements.