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How to Secure Remote Work Setups?

  • Ashesh Anand
  • Feb 01, 2023
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Many individuals now frequently work from home offices, coffee shops, and hotel rooms. Remote work is now simpler than ever because of the internet's constant availability and the speed and performance of modern laptops.

 

In-office versus Remote Work:

 

Some employers prohibit or forbid remote work for a variety of reasons. Manufacturers might believe it is unfair to permit operational staff to operate from home when plant and warehouse employees are required to report to work. 

 

The workplace atmosphere is ideally suited for establishing friendships, teamwork, and collaboration. Employees have fewer distractions and it's simpler to maintain information security in an office setting. You might not have the necessary technologies to permit remote work.

 

Employers who didn't set up remote work capabilities in the past are now seeking solutions to keep the firm functioning due to concerns about the Coronavirus. A simple solution is to let people work from home.

 

Working remotely and in an office is obviously not the same. When employees are far apart from one another, interactions between them are less natural than when they are nearby. Contracts and paperwork cannot be shared. Some software programs might only be accessible locally.

 

So what exactly must you do before allowing your staff to work remotely to ensure their productivity and the smooth operation of your business?

 

Also Read | Major advantages and challenges of Work From Home


 

What exactly is Secure Remote Working?

 

A Secure Remote Working solution does not have a single definition; it consists of the components needed to offer the digital workspace that a company needs to operate in today's geographically and globally distributed workplace. 

 

Different technology providers will concentrate on the products and tools that make up their unique portfolio, making it difficult to decide which tools to use for your company. Where possible, vendor-specific phrasing and terminology are avoided in this article's exploration of the idea of secure remote working.


 

Significance of Secure Remote Working and Access:

 

Prior to 2020, there were more and more remote workers, but the Covid pandemic significantly increased the demand for users to access corporate networks from various remote locations. The bulk of incoming connections for many firms now come from the home networks of its employees, which increases the hazards to both the organization's and the employees' networks. 

 

Because of this, older, legacy security methods cannot satisfy the needs of a user population that is mostly mobile and remote. Every person, every piece of equipment they use, and every network they connect from must comply with the new security baseline.

 

Also Read | ITSM Best Practices For Efficient Remote Work & Management


 

What comprises a Secure Remote Working Solution?

 

Secure Remote Working is a synthesis of various techniques and technology. Secure remote access isn't just one technology; rather, it's a group of technologies that work together to give businesses the protection they want when employees work from home or other remote places. They consist of:

 

  1.  Virtual Private Network (VPN):

 

A virtual private network (VPN) enables safe access to applications and services that are hosted on-premises. Employees can access the internet securely on open wireless networks or corporate networks run by other parties with the use of VPNs.


 

  1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):

 

This provides a second authentication mechanism, also known as Two Factor Authentication (2FA), which requires both something you know (your password) and something you have (a token, certificate, or passcode). In addition to security assurance for the connecting device, MFA goes beyond 2FA by assessing if it complies with corporate security policy. MFA makes it possible to verify that the person using the resource is who they claim to be.


 

  1. Secure DNS and DNS Filtering: 

 

By guarding against Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks and establishing a policy of work-safe websites and web categories, these features help secure employees outside of the corporate network.


 

  1. Anti-Malware Protection (AMP):

 

Most attacks originate from reputable endpoints and gadgets, usually by using software intended to grant remote access or control of a computer. Malware is what it is, and it can expose private information or encrypt data under the control of criminals, leading to circumstances where a ransom is demanded. 

 

By serving as a protective barrier to prevent these apps from installing themselves, regardless of the vector used to transmit them, AMP safeguards the worker.


 

  1. Data Loss Prevention (DLP):

 

DLP is a method for preventing end users from sending sensitive or vital data outside the company network. The word also refers to software tools that enable administrators to regulate the data that users can transfer and the recipients of that data.


 

  1. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI): 

 

This gives employees access to a virtual corporate workstation that is safe and easy to manage regardless of the device they use. Secure connections to centralized VDI server farms provide access to vital applications and client data, which dramatically reduces the footprint of network infiltration and helps safeguard sensitive client and business data.


 

  1. Single Sign-On (SSO):

 

Giving users access to all of the tools that their company provides through a single authentication point. Employees can get an authentication and authorization token to access all of their work tools when SSO is used in conjunction with MFA, which lessens password fatigue.


 

  1. Suites for cloud-based productivity and collaboration:

 

 It's crucial to provide employees with tools that make it simpler for them to work in distributed teams rather than just concentrating on securing the digital workspace. Cloud collaboration and productivity solutions make it simpler for employees to access the technologies they need to conduct their tasks, while also assisting the organization by lowering the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and enhancing accessibility from anywhere.

 

You'll probably choose several items from the aforementioned list when you transition to a cloud-based digital workspace. It's crucial to keep in mind that your company might not require all of these capabilities, or that you might require a more specialized solution for granting secure access to your on-premise digital infrastructure.


 

  1. Endpoint Security:

 

This comprises antivirus software for endpoint computers as well as guidelines for the integration of remote devices into the organization's systems. Patch management and the avoidance of downloading or storing mission-critical data on distant devices are a few examples of this.


 

  1. ZTNA, or Zero Trust Network Access ZTNA systems: 

 

As their name suggests, do not assume the security of a connection and need re-authentication prior to each transaction. For the data and applications of the enterprise, this provides better degrees of protection.


 

  1. Network access control (NAC):

 

Network access is controlled using a variety of techniques, including two-factor authentication (2FA), endpoint security solutions, policy education, and policy enforcement.

 

 

Also Read | What is VPN? Types, Benefits, and Features


 

Why do I need to Secure Remote Access?

 

  1. Assume threats will actually happen: 

 

Accepting that danger really exist is the most fundamental best practice for protecting remote access. This mindset can be challenging to identify, especially for businesses that take good care to secure their on-premises equipment. Because there is less visibility into the systems that employees use when working from home, and thus less able to identify the hazards, it might be tempting to dismiss the security risks of remote-access settings.

 

However, the fact is that the infrastructure and programs that employees utilize to work remotely almost certainly contain vulnerabilities. Even if they can't perceive the dangers, IT teams should presume that they exist.


 

  1. Establish telework guidelines: 

 

Another fundamental step toward managing hazards from remote access is the establishment of explicit standards to guide how employees operate from home. Businesses should create telework policies that outline details like: 

 

  • Whether employees are allowed to use personal devices when working remotely
  • Which data employees can download to personal devices, and which needs to stay in the office
  • Whether employees are allowed to install non-work related software on devices that they use for remote access
  • How employees should report suspected attacks when they are working remotely and unable to interact with the IT team in person

 

 This kind of advice greatly reduces the security concerns connected with remote access systems.


 

  1. Securely manage sensitive data:

 

Access control and encryption should always be used to protect sensitive data. However, it becomes even more important to ensure that employees handle sensitive data correctly when they work remotely. Make sure employees cannot download copies of the data to the devices they use for remote work if your organization is subject to compliance regulations that demand data remain on specific servers. 

 

You should nonetheless develop regulations on if and how employees can copy data onto remote devices, even if compliance is not a problem. Avoid situations where, for instance, an employee downloads client personal data on a thumb drive that later disappears, potentially exposing sensitive data.


 

  1. Assign and protect specific remote work devices:

 

Employees shouldn't ideally use personal gadgets while working remotely, and policy should support this. Instead, businesses should give staff specialized equipment to utilize for remote work. The corporate IT team should be in charge of managing those devices to make sure they are regularly updated and do not have any extraneous software or data that could be a security concern.


 

  1. Work with external partners and vendors:

 

Remote-access circumstances demand careful engagement with third-party partners and providers much more than in conventional settings. The capacity to keep systems and data as secure as feasible when employees are working from outside the office depends on the organizations that, for example, administer file servers that can be accessed over the network or provide remote desktop instances for employees who work remotely. 

 

Choose vendors and partners who share your commitment to remote security and who are equipped to assist you in addressing dangers as they materialize. Choosing security solutions that are as automated as feasible is crucial for managing security risks in the face of existential problems including alarm overload, an overreliance on manual processes, and a lack of skilled workers. Remote access security and automated processes


 

  1. Configure a VPN: 

 

Three key advantages of VPNs are that they encrypt connections, give some access control for business networks, and enable remote access to resources that would otherwise be unreachable from offsite locations. It's a fundamental best practice to set up a VPN and mandate that all remote connections go via it to protect resources when staff members work from home.

 

However, it's crucial to understand that a VPN is not a panacea. It reduces the likelihood of some attacks, such as data sniffing, but offers little defense against phishing threats. Additionally, it might have a unique set of vulnerabilities that attackers could use. Consider a VPN as one layer of security for remote access, not as a full defense.


 

  1. Encrypt confidential data:

 

A best practice in terms of security is always data encryption. However, it becomes increasingly more important when workers work remotely because of the possibility that gadgets could be lost when utilized outside of a corporate environment or that private information could be accessed while being transmitted over the internet.

 

To that end, make sure that any data transferred over the network between computers controlled by the business and distant work sites is encrypted. Having staff use VPNs, which come with built-in encryption, to access remote systems is an easy method to achieve this. It's also crucial to make sure remote-access tools, such as RDP clients, are current because out-of-date clients might not automatically encrypt data.


 

  1. Utilize user authentication: 

 

Employees should be subject to tight access controls, including multifactor authentication, when accessing company resources remotely. In order to ease access, it may be tempting to open up services like file servers to anyone, but doing so poses a serious security risk.

 

The principle of least privilege, which states that access for all users should be prohibited by default and enabled only for the specific accounts that need it, is a better practice to follow. More settings will be needed, but the increased security benefits are well worth it.

 

Also Read | Productive Things to do in Work From Home


 

Last Note:

 

Remember that not all staff will be able to work remotely. Children or other family members can be yelling for their attention. They might not feel at ease using video chat and will require more time to become tech-savvy and adapt their working methods in order to find new ways to collaborate. Maintain tight communication while being patient. It will greatly improve how smoothly the entire procedure goes.

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