Let's Talk Cybersecurity: 3 Tips for Choosing a Remote Access Option

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Brandon Bohle, Systems Analyst | May 24, 2021

As more and more employees are working from home or locations that are not the typical office location, the need for remote access solutions has greatly increased. Implementing remote access into most environments can increase productivity, but if implemented hastily or improperly can add unnecessary risk to the organization.

There are many different free remote access applications that can be found on the internet. Using these applications may allow for easy remote access. But also, many of these applications have vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited by free and readily available hacking tools. This will vastly increase the risk exposure to many organizations.

When choosing a remote access solution, it is important to ensure there is proper authentication methods, including multi-factor authentication, the connection is encrypted, and that the vendor provides regular security updates. When giving permissions and access to utilize the remote access application, it is crucial to follow proper access management procedures. Also, it is necessary to make sure that everyone is using remote access utilities in the way they were intended. This includes both third parties as well as local engineers. Finally, it is essential to remember that remote access is not a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one organization or location may not be the best solution for another.

Overall, it is critical to require everyone to utilize the proper and approved remote access method when working from outside of the system’s network. Ensure all authentication and communication is secure, and to remember that one solution will not fit every instance.