Like most people, you probably use remote access to connect to your work computer from home occasionally. But did you know that using remote access can leave your computer vulnerable to security risks? What are Some Security Issues in Remote Access?
Here are some of the most common security issues associated with remote access.
What are Some Security Issues in Remote Access?
Inadequate remote access policies
Once an attacker gains access to a virtual private network (VPN), they can frequently cut their way through the remainder of the web like a hot knife through butter. Historically, many businesses used VPNs solely for technical personnel who need access to vital technological assets. Not so now – VPNs frequently recommend a more secure connection for all users than home or public networks.
The issue is that many older firewall rules allow access to almost anything on the network. We’ve highlighted stories of angry former workers exploiting this vulnerability, and attackers may do the same.
A flood of new security gadgets
Many firms oblige to purchase and distribute new laptops and other gadgets to their increasingly remote workforce due to global “stay at home” rules. Some companies enable employees to use their home equipment for professional functions temporarily. This influx of new gadgets poses new hurdles for security personnel.
Teams must guarantee that these devices are malware and virus-free. With a geographically dispersed staff, they must ensure that security products can be installed, managed, and supported remotely.
Start by extending endpoint security – both endpoint protection and detection and response capabilities – to all of your remote users if you haven’t previously. Consider cloud-native endpoint and network security solutions. It builds lt for regionally scattered workforces.
Endpoint threats like malware, exploits, and fileless assaults should block, but dangerous behavior. Only allow trustworthy devices access to the corporate network (e.g., those who meet defined criteria through host information profiles).
Inability to see distant user activities
Because of the unexpected increase in remote employees, security teams must monitor a new set of endpoint devices for malware, fileless assaults, and a slew of threats aimed at remote users. However, many security teams lack insight into remote user activity and east-west traffic within the network, making it difficult to detect sophisticated threats from distant users or spot an attacker hopping from a compromised user’s workstation to hosts within the network.
Like the rest of the workforce, security analysts frequently work from home, exacerbating current SecOps issues, including maintaining siloed detection and response systems and pivoting from console to console to analyze threats. This confluence of issues makes it simpler for enemies to operate beneath the radar and launch assaults.
Rather than investing in point solutions, consider security platforms that enhance system integration, reduce tool switching, and enable insight into all data, including remote user behavior. Extended detection and response (XDR) protects endpoints and uses analytics across all your data to detect risks such as odd access or lateral movement and streamlines investigations by piecing together evidence and determining the root cause.
Users who combine home and work passwords
Users have a nasty tendency to repeat passwords repeatedly. They are either oblivious or inconsiderate of the potential that one of their sites will be hacked, their password will be released someplace like pastebin.com, and all of their accounts, even corporate ones, will be compromised.
The problem does get worse by employees utilizing personal devices and networks with far weaker security standards than their corporate-controlled equivalents, making it simple for attackers to access company data.
Suppose some on-premises network and email security methods are no longer accessible. In that case, security teams should focus their efforts on training users to recognize phishing attempts and create strong, unique passwords while also advocating the usage of a password manager.
To prevent attackers from getting access through insecure devices, they should also deploy client certificates and multi-factor authentication.