When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of offices worldwide, many companies that hadn’t previously considered remote access to their corporate networks and servers had to do so – and quickly.
Moreover, with the popularization of hybrid cloud systems and bring your own device (BYOD) policies, the risk vectors related to remote access have increased significantly. More people are able to connect to more systems remotely, and to do so more often.
Maintaining business operations in these new environments while protecting data against unauthorized access puts many businesses on unfamiliar ground. The situation demonstrates why organizations should develop a robust remote access policy, ideally before you ever need to use it.
What is a Remote Access Policy?
Over the last decade, rapid technology advancements have fueled a growth in remote employment. Salespeople, for example, can use mobile devices to remotely access their office networks while visiting clients, to bring up data that is critical for completing transactions. The proportion of remote employees has increased to an estimated 42 percent of the U.S. workforce.
Remote work, however, introduces new concerns, such as possible computer and network security issues. As a result, guidelines for remote access and other rules are needed to reduce cybersecurity and information security risks.
A remote access policy guides off-site users who connect to the network. It expands the rules that govern network and computer use in the office, such as the password policy or network access control. It aids in assuring that only those users who require network access are granted access, as long as their devices are likewise compatible with the rules.
When correctly deployed, a remote access policy is a security solution that helps to protect the network from potential security risks. The policy should include everything, from the sorts of individuals who may be granted network access from outside the workplace to the types of devices that can connect to the network.
Why is a Remote Access Policy Important?
A remote access policy is vital to ensure that your organization can maintain its cybersecurity protocols even with all the uncertainty that remote access brings: unknown users (you can’t see the person, after all), using potentially unknown devices on unknown networks, to access your corporate data center and all the information within.
Those are significant risks, but life during the coronavirus pandemic has made extensive remote access an unavoidable fact of life. Some users must have remote access to perform their duties from home and maintain business continuity. Remote access policies guide how your data can still be secure, and your operations can still meet any regulatory compliance obligations.
The good news is that organizations such as the National Cybersecurity Society (NCSS) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed remote access policy templates that can be helpful if you’re writing your policy from scratch.
This post will review what a remote access policy should achieve, how to develop one, and several pitfalls to avoid.
Types of Remote Access Security Risks
The following are some of the most prevalent security risks associated with remote access.
Permissive Policies of Remote Access
Attackers can quickly acquire access to the rest of the network if they compromise a VPN (virtual private network).
Historically, many businesses required VPNs only for technical responsibilities, and otherwise restricted access to critical IT systems. Today all users, including non-technical professionals, may connect to systems remotely through VPN.
Zero trust network access (ZTNA) is an approach that assures that every user and device connected to the network only obtains access to the services that user requires.
Remote Devices Control
After the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasingly remote workforce, numerous enterprises were forced to buy computing equipment and provide it to their remote workers or have employees purchase their equipment, resulting in potential supply chain vulnerabilities.
Other companies chose the bring your own device (BYOD) approach, allowing workers to accomplish tasks using personal or home devices.
The proliferation of new devices provides security personnel with new hurdles. First, they must ensure that the devices are free of malware and viruses. Whether a BYOD device or a corporate device that an employee uses remotely, the business must guarantee that security technologies can be installed, controlled, and maintained remotely.
One major issue with BYOD is that companies typically do not continuously monitor the device or install security software, due to user objections. As a result, determining the original condition of a BYOD device, as well as whether it has been infected or tampered with by attackers, can be challenging.
Remote Activity with Limited Visibility
Endpoint devices must be monitored in a remote work environment to avoid the transmission of malware, fileless attacks, and other dangers to distant users.
Security teams, however, might lack insight into remote user activities and cannot monitor other traffic on remote networks, making sophisticated attacks challenging to identify. This increases the risk of attackers accessing a remote device, connecting to corporate assets, and moving laterally to infiltrate more systems.
Security analysts, like other workers, are now working from home, making it even more challenging to research threats and manage endpoint detection and response. This confluence of issues makes it easier for attackers to avoid detection.
Reusing Passwords
Users have a terrible habit of reusing passwords, regardless of the hazard that their password might be stolen from one website and then leaked to the dark web, where attackers will use it to gain access to the user’s other accounts – including corporate systems.
What is the Purpose of a Remote Access Policy?
A remote access policy clarifies how the company will provide cybersecurity while users access data off-site. This includes what is expected of users as they access that data, how they establish secure connections, when exceptions to policy may be granted, and likely disciplinary actions for violations.
A remote access policy aims to keep corporate data safe from exposure to hackers, malware, and other cybersecurity risks while allowing employees the flexibility to work from remote locations.
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It Defines How to Secure Remote Access
Older modems and public WiFi connections are notorious for their lack of cybersecurity, and in general should not be trusted on their own. Remote access should be granted via a virtual private network (VPN) that uses encryption and strong user passwords to protect data and govern access control. The company should strive to use the best remote access technology available.
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It Defines How Remote Workers Should Respect Cybersecurity
Remote users must always protect their passwords and usernames: no notes with passwords taped to the device, even when they only work from home. A two-factor authentication (2FA) process may be added for extra protection against unauthorized use of company hardware and VPN connections.
VPNs should be set to terminate as soon as they’re no longer active, so an unauthorized user can’t gain easy access on a laptop mistakenly left open.
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It Defines What a Secure Connection is
Safe remote access depends on a secure connection and the appropriate use. Authorized users of any internal network typically have to adhere to an acceptable use policy, which defines which activities are prohibited while using the company network.
Those same rules apply to remote access workers, and compliance should be carefully monitored and enforced. It might be easy to forget that you are working on the company network when sitting in your living room.
The remote access policy should also clearly state which software and firewalls may be used by those with remote network access and how often operating systems, security software, and anti-virus protections should be updated.
When everyone is present in the exact physical location, the IT department can typically manage such tasks. In a remote access world, employees may need to do some of this work themselves. Your policy should explain the required routines.
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Limits Remote User Access to Only What’s Needed
A critical goal of the remote access policy is to divide remote users into groups defined by the access level they need. Nobody should be allowed a higher access level because that person now works remotely. Not only does this make the management of remote workers easier; it also allows you to stop a cyberattack more quickly when one account has been compromised.
Secure Remote Access Best Practices
Here are a few best practices you can use to improve security for a remote workforce.
Remote Access Security Policy
The policy should indicate which methods should be used for remote access, which equipment is permitted to access (company-owned or BYOD), how those devices may be used, and the process for reporting and deleting lost or stolen devices.
Here’s a quick checklist to keep in mind as you develop your remote access policy:
- Define what a secure password is, how often it should be changed, and how the remote user should protect it.
- Define what a secure connection is and who’s responsible for providing it.
- Define what types of hardware a remote user may connect to the company network.
- Establish a schedule and procedure for software updates.
- Divide users into subgroups depending on the access each group needs.
- Monitor and make sure remote users comply with guidelines.
- Spell out the level of disciplinary action that may be taken if established guidelines are violated.
Endpoint Monitoring and Protection
As companies incorporate zero-trust network access (ZTNA), remote browser isolation (RBI), firewall as a service (FWaaS), data loss prevention (DLP), and other cloud-based security services, many business firms are seeking more than simply a proxy service in the cloud.
Data Encryption
Assure that all data is encrypted during transit and at rest on an employee’s local device. Encryption is an additional line of security along with anti-virus and secure multi-factor authentication procedures, so that even if attackers hack the machines, sensitive data cannot be accessed.
Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Conduct training on cybersecurity protocols regularly. Every employee must be informed of security regulations, the repercussions for breaking them, typical social engineering attacks, and how to recognize the signs and prevent them.
Manage Cybersecurity Risks With ZenGRC
Many technologies may assist keep your business safe and your data private while you carve a route for your company in our highly-interconnected world. ZenGRC is an easy-to-use platform that delivers the tools you need to maintain compliance and protect your organization.
Security policies, incident response procedures, and internal controls can be documented and updated regularly to assure they meet the evolving cybersecurity environment. With ZenGRC’s document repository, policies and procedures are revision-controlled and easy to find.
Workflow management features offer easy tracking, automated reminders, and audit trails. The ZenConnect feature enables integration with popular tools such as Jira, ServiceNow, and Slack, to allow seamless adoption within your enterprise.
Insightful reporting and dashboards provide visibility to gaps and high-risk areas. By better understanding your risk landscape, you can take action to protect your business from cyberattacks, avoid costly data breaches, and monitor the security posture of your vendors.
There will be no more searching for documentation, skimming over communications, or shifting between screens: ZenGRC’s cohesive, at-a-glance monitoring systems make implementing data security checklists a worry-free experience.
Book a demo today and start with the worry-free path to cybersecurity. The Zen way!
