/ Glossary / What is Secure Remote Access?

What is secure remote access?

Secure remote access enables secure connections to a network, application, or data, even when users are logging in from remote locations.

Remote access has never been more relevant, considering the recent rise in remote and hybrid workplace models. However, many organizations are putting their sensitive resources at risk by not securing remote access for employees. 

Organizations enabling everyday remote access to applications or desktops need a secure remote access solution. This tool must work for every user and device, no matter what location they’re logging in from. Businesses that implement such a system are well-equipped to defend corporate resources and provide superior user experiences..

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How does secure remote access software work?

Enabling remote access means walking a tightrope between usability and cybersecurity. Every remote worker needs a way to connect to remote desktops and applications that won't slow down their workflows. At the same time, IT administrators must manage those connections to ensure they don't leave the network open to threats.

Secure remote access software provides protection around remote connections, whether for on-premises applications or software hosted in the cloud. The most comprehensive solutions combine adaptive authentication and single-sign (SSO) to IT sanctioned applications (web, SaaS, client-based, and virtual applications). They also provide access controls for managed, unmanaged, and BYO endpoints, giving end users device flexibility without compromising on user experience.

In the past, companies may have settled for virtual private network (VPN) connections. In today's threat landscape, however, those solutions are merely the beginning. No single-solution approach can defend against the increasing number of ways that bad actors have come up with to break into a network and exfiltrate data.

Why are secure remote access solutions important to remote work security?

Secure remote access approaches are so vital because it’s now impossible to secure each and every endpoint. Each user in a remote or hybrid workforce is connecting to the network from a different type of computer or smartphone, and they’re using a variety of internet connections to log in.

Pushing out security software and updates to every personal device and controlling every internet connection is incompatible with this new networking landscape. Instead, solutions must be centralized and context sensitive. Whether a threat is coming from inside the network or from an unsecured internet connection, such a system will be able to detect it and deliver a response in real time.

Administrators seeking a unified suite of secure remote access solutions should look for a solution that includes multiple features to protect users. From limiting access based on real-time user behavior analytics to monitoring against keyloggers and other known security threats, various functions are needed to protect each user and the network at large. A comprehensive remote access solution can secure user access for a hybrid or fully-remote work model. 

What secure remote access solutions are there?

Multiple solutions go into a comprehensive secure remote access package—and each one delivers vital functionality that reflects the security threats that most companies face. These features work together to protect users, data, and network assets in a distinct way.

  • Zero trust network access (ZTNA) to all IT sanctioned applications: IT administrators can provide secure access to sanctioned applications without providing layer3 access to the entire network. ZTNA provides a cloud-native offering for users to remotely connect to any on-premises application without the need for a VPN plugin on the end user device.
  • Adaptive authentication and device posture: Multi-factor authentication can intelligently route the user to the suitable authentication mechanism based on role, geo-location, and device posture check.
  • Browser isolation: IT can be confident that end users can securely navigate the web without introducing risk to the corporate environment. Browser isolation is a single use session in the cloud, that is air gapped from corporate resources. This method isolates the corporate networks and devices from threats that may be introduced by visiting malicious websites.
  • Security analytics: By using machine learning, IT administrators can track all user activity to understand the user’s risk profile and, based on that risk profile, enforce security policies for application sessions. Security analytics also provides administrators with the ability to troubleshoot end-user issues related to authentication and SSO.
  • Single sign-on (SSO): When users have a single, unified way to access remote desktop, SaaS, and virtualized app environments, they will use that gateway. This allows administrators to simplify oversight and control access. It also simplifies access for end users, who get a single point of access for all applications and files.
  • App protection: The increase in remote work and the use of personal devices for work have created new cybersecurity challenges. With no insight into device health, IT can’t defend against common types of malware. App protection secures access from unmanaged devices by scrambling and returning screenshots as blank screens, protecting corporate applications and data.
  • Granular security policies: Browser-based applications have grown in popularity because of their simplicity. However, many on-premises web and cloud-delivered SaaS applications lack the security policies and governance needed by IT to meet their security standards. Secure remote access allows organizations to add a layer of security on top of single sign-on and multi-factor authentication to IT sanctioned applications—which in turn enables IT to apply granular security controls to prevent data exfiltration. These security policies regulate user operations based on user access context and device posture check and can enforce controls like restricting copying, pasting, printing, downloading, or adding a watermark to the web application.

INFOGRAPHIC

How the approach to cybersecurity and zero trust network access has evolved

See how ZTNA has become mainstream to meet the needs of a hybrid organization.

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Citrix delivers secure remote access

Citrix secure access solutions give companies granular security controls and extensive policy options to build a security solution that works for that organization. 

  • Citrix Secure Private Access provides zero trust network access for all of an organization's applications. This always-on solution evaluates each login based on the end user’s location, device risk posture, risk profile, and more before granting access to corporate resources.
  • uberAgent provides observability metrics for user experience and security. IT can configure periodic checks to ensure secure configurations for applications and can detect threats ahead of time with the threat detection engine.