Due to advancements in technology, employees can work and connect to their employers remotely, which is possible through web and cloud applications. It connects them to remote access services such as RDPs and VPNs. However, working remotely comes with several threats such as cybercrimes, phishing, and threats from malware applications. Therefore, employers need to put several measures in place to secure their workers.
Remote access options
Remote access control allows employers to monitor and control access to their employees’ computers or networks from anywhere and anytime. This form of control includes Local Area Networks, Wide Area Networks, and Virtual Private Networks.
Securing remote access for employees
Retailers and vendors who work remotely use POS systems, in-store technology, and other network devices that require protection from cyber attacks and other forms of malicious activities. International governing bodies set up several regulatory guidelines that retailers need to comply with to avoid penalties. Retailers need several remote access tools to help them manage users, encryption, and authentications securely. This secure remote access retail guide explains how you can protect your employees as they work remotely.
• Develop a remote access policy guide
The policy developed should define the type of remote access, and the types of devices allowed for employees who work remotely. This policy should also consider the type of access every employee or contractor has from their employers. It should also have a systematic guide that shows the administration and update of its remote servers. Organizations should decide the level of remote access and the type of telework devices they would allow in their corporate team.
• Always assume threats will occur
Organizations need to understand that threats will always occur despite the security measures they put in place. With this notion in mind, organizations need to do their best to protect their employees, data, and other remote access infrastructures. Sometimes, IT teams will ignore remote access risks because they are not visible from the employees’ systems as they work from home. However, they need to know that threats exist even though they are invisible.
• Data encryption on sensitive information
Data encryption is always important, even for companies that do not allow working from home. However, data encryption should be mandatory for companies that allow their employees to work remotely. Data encryption protects against the loss of important and sensitive data while it travels through the internet. Data exchanged between corporate companies and employees working remotely should always be encrypted as it passed through the internet.
• User Authentication
Businesses that allow remote access for their employees should place strict access control, which includes multi-factor authentication. They should avoid making file servers accessible to anybody because this poses a major security threat. These types of files should only be available to user accounts that need to use them.
• Consider collaboration with third-party partners and vendors
Sometimes, companies will need to work with vendors and third parties who take remote access security seriously. These third parties will help address problems efficiently and effectively as they arise and protect your company from security breaches.
Conclusion
Secure remote access is important because it allows a user to connect to an organization’s network without fear of a security breach. It also prevents the loss and theft of corporate data.
