A Comprehensive Guide to Secure Remote Access
Secure remote access is the ability to connect to a device from a remote location with advanced security features to prevent unauthorized access and maintain data integrity.
Remote access has revolutionized business infrastructure from physical places to home-based opportunities, facilitating mobile workers to access corporate device and data stored on it. It helps admins provide remote assistance, troubleshoot issues, limit device usage, and share or delete files, but lack of security can bring several challenges.
In this article, we will discuss the risks of remote access, what needs to be secured, and which parameters are involved in secure remote access to run a business seamlessly.
1 What Needs to be Secured During the Remote Access?
The primary goal for any business, local, or government organization is to secure confidential data stored on official devices.
Data security is always a prior concern because it contains official documents like company policies and rules, working procedures, and other critical files that need to be private.
These devices might also include customer information, banking and other account details, national data, or other sensitive information, and compromising on it can lead to financial or reputational loss and legal consequences.
2 Secure Measures for Remote Access
2.1 User Behavior: Control Permissions
User behavior is a vital force to ensure secure remote access. For optimized working, you can educate users about company and device usage policies.
Role-based access control (RBAC) is a primary tool for managing access for multiple users. It restricts users with only necessary permissions to access specific data and functions related to their jobs.
For example, in a customer support service, customer service representatives can only listen to queries and provide effective remedies, but they cannot waive any charges directly.
For such queries, they need to forward a request to the floor managers, who are authorized to pay back customers if found necessary. So, RBAC helps reduce the risks of unauthorized access and ensures optimal working.
2.2 Device Side
Network Security
Securing the corporate network reduces the risk of cyber-attacks during remote access.
Use a specific VPN for your network to encrypt your connections and keep data confidential.
Deploy firewalls in the network, which act as a barrier for untrusted traffic by continuously monitoring the traffic flow and ensuring smooth connectivity without security risks.
Additionally, utilize network segmentation, intrusion detection and prevention system (IDPS), network access control (NAC), and secure remote desktop protocol (SRDP) to enhance network security.
Encryption
Data encryption allows converting data into a code that is only readable after decrypting it. So, only authorized users can read the encrypted data, ensuring data security.
Data security during remote access is possible using SSL/TLS security protocols, which encrypt data transmitted over the network.
Create a Secure Environment for Target Devices
Enterprises need to implement some advanced measures to ensure secure remote access for multiple devices.
These latest measures include installing anti-virus software, turning devices into kiosks, and regularly updating the system.
- Install an anti-virus program to protect devices against malware and other threats continuously.
- Kiosk mode restricts devices from running specific apps to prevent unnecessary usage and cyber-attack risks.
- Regularly update OS, patches, and apps to add the latest information and functions to fight against the latest threats and prevent unauthorized access.
All these features help businesses create a secure and productive working environment, especially for remote workers.
3 Why Secure Remote Access Solutions Matter?
To explain why secure remote access solutions matter, we will combine the challenges associated with remote access and the benefits of implementing secure remote access solutions.
3.1 Challenges of remote access
Data Breaches
During data transmission, attackers can exploit vulnerabilities into the network to access data and misuse it, if it is not properly encrypted. Unauthorized access to the data due to improper authentication mechanism can lead to severe consequences, leading to financial or reputation loss for the company.
Weak passwords are exposed to brute force attacks. Employees usually use the same passwords for different accounts like device logins or social media accounts. They follow the same practice for official devices and accounts. So, when it is compromised from any unofficial website or application, hackers can easily exploit official devices and data, resulting in a severe loss.
Privacy
During remote access sessions, nearby unauthorized individuals can view the data on the screen and can misuse it depending on the type of data.
For example, company’s sensitive data when accessed by unauthorized user, can lead to great loss if provided to competitors. So, device screen privacy is important to protect sensitive business information, ensure compliance, and improve security.
3.2 Benefits of Secure Remote Access
Centralized Management of Devices
Secure remote access enables the activation of privacy mode, allowing the screens of all managed devices to remain hidden.
It is valuable to keep data secure from unauthorized entities by darkening the screen. Only admins are able to access the device remotely to perform tasks and take actions.
With secure remote access, the management and enforcement of security policies on bulk devices is simplified. Admins are able to remotely manage and enforce policies to ensure uniformity and consistency for all devices.
With the help of security protocols, like TSL encryption data transmission is kept fully secure, preventing unauthorized entities to access the data.
Role-based Access Controls
Secure remote solutions can manage temporary and limited access for third parties so they can only access data and functionalities necessary to perform required operations. It helps businesses save data from them and reduces the risks of data loss.
Strong Password Policy
Admins can enforce password-setting policies for all employees using a secure remote access solution. It helps to deploy a strong authentication process, preventing unauthorized access to the company data. Enabling multi-factor authentication further improves the security and authentication process.
4 Remote Access Mobile Devices from A Central Dashboard
Here, we will display how to use AirDroid Business MDM solution to access bulk devices remotely from a central dashboard.
We will also discuss the secure measures we can implement on managed devices during the process.
📌AirDroid Business is designed for device monitoring, controlling, managing, and securing bulk Android and Windows devices. With AirDroid Businesses, organizations can choose cloud/on-premises deployment for greater control over data and security as required.
4.1 Before Remote Access
There are bulk configurations admins can apply on managed devices using the AirDroid Business admin console.
Here are some essential configurations with detailed usage to understand how they can ensure secure remote access:
Password policy
1. Password Meet Complexity Requirements: This option allows setting password limits like numbers, alphabets, or a combination of both. Choose a minimum length for setting passwords ranging from 4 to 16, set a maximum number of failed attempts, password reuse policy, and smart lock.
2. Force Password Configuration: It allows admins to set a specific password, so only authorized users can access the devices by entering that password.
Enforce encryption
Devices used by employees at home for remote work are not encrypted, so the risk of data breaches is high.
However, enterprises cannot compromise on their data security. AirDroid Business allows mandatory storage encryption option, which enables them to force encryption of stored data on managed devices remotely.
Enforce devices can only connect to the corporate network
Manage network settings for all devices by connecting them to the corporate Wi-Fi and blocking public Wi-Fi networks.
It helps enterprises ensure the devices remain connected to secure Wi-Fi, reducing data loss or breach risks. You can also configure a specific reliable VPN connection so the devices remain secure.
Setup Role-based access control
The role-based access control feature allows inviting all the members and the distribution of access and permissions based on their roles for the optimized use of resources. AirDroid Business offers default roles for better utilization.
These roles include super admin, admin, team member, and viewer. Each of these roles has different access levels and authorities to take action. For more accurate distribution, admins can use the custom role option to define specific roles.
Setup App allowlist/blocklist
App allowlist enables admins to choose a list of apps to run on remote access devices while preventing access to all other apps. Blocklisting helps block access for known vulnerabilities or social apps during working hours.
Kiosk mode
Kiosk mode is suitable for organizations where unnecessary device usage is causing problems like unnecessary workload, workspace distractions, and insecure devices.
It helps admins restrict devices to run only work-related apps. Single-app kiosk mode allows choosing only one application to run, while multi-app kiosk mode allows running more than one but only selected apps, leading to focused work and reduced data costs.
4.2 During Remote Access
Turn on black screen mode
The black screen mode is a privacy mode set during remote access on managed devices to enhance security. This is useful for unattended devices.
When black screen mode is activated, the screen of the remotely controlled device will turn black and display the custom text like "Under Maintenance," ensuring that passersby cannot see the screen, preventing accidental touches and data leaks.
It helps to prevent unauthorized individuals from viewing the device screen, enhancing privacy and security.
TLS (Transport Layer Security) encryption
TLS encryption provides valuable support in securing data transmitted over the organization's network.
It turns data into code which is only readable if decrypted using the assigned code. So, data integrity and confidentiality are ensured during remote access sessions through TSL encryption.
Real-time monitoring and control
AirDroid Business offers real-time monitoring of devices from a centralized dashboard. IT admins can check the device's online/ offline status, battery temperature, storage capacity, and data usage reports to analyze remote employees' work.
Admins can view the device screen anytime and take screenshots for proof.
Remote monitoring helps to instantly identify and resolve issues on always-on displays like kiosks and digital signage.
Remotely accessing device cameras allows managers and business owners to remotely view offices or other workspaces and ensure everyone is working properly.
Conclusion
Remote access has become a necessity for businesses due to the increasing demand for remote jobs as they are cost-effective and flexible. However, remote access can be challenging if all the endpoints are not kept secure. Keeping data, devices, and networks secure is crucial using various tools provided by secure remote access solutions.
Some essential features that help businesses support remote access security include data encryption, VPN and firewalls, strong password policies, role-based access control, and kiosk mode.
Companies need to choose a solution based on device compatibility having all the above features to ensure secure and uninterrupted remote access sessions.
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