A Brave New World of Remote Work
Ah, the days of commuting to the office – remembering to pack your lunch, jockeying for a decent parking spot, and spending hours in mind-numbing meetings. Well, folks, those relics of the pre-pandemic world are long gone for many of us. The global health crisis has ushered in a brave new world of remote work, where sweatpants have become the new business casual and our pets are our most loyal (and vocal) coworkers.
But with this newfound freedom comes a unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to securing our remote network access. As the IT manager for a UK computer repair service, I’ve seen firsthand how the shift to work-from-home (WFH) has opened the door to a whole host of cybersecurity risks. Gone are the days of the comfy, well-guarded corporate network – now, our employees are logging in from their home Wi-Fi, using personal devices, and accessing sensitive data in ways we could have never imagined. [1]
Putting Out the Flames of a “Security Nightmare”
When the pandemic hit and companies were forced to transition to remote work overnight, many organizations found themselves scrambling to get their employees connected, often resorting to quick-fix solutions like good old-fashioned virtual private networks (VPNs). And while VPNs can provide a secure connection, they’re really not designed to handle the sheer scale and complexity of a fully remote workforce. [2]
As Matthew Gracey-McMinn, the head of threat research at Netacea, so eloquently put it, “Using VPNs at such a large scale could never have been predicted, and it has created a security nightmare for IT teams as it widened the surface area for potential attacks.” [2] Yikes, a “security nightmare” – not exactly the kind of phrase you want to hear when it comes to your company’s data and systems.
The problem with relying too heavily on VPNs is that they essentially just extend your corporate network to the remote worker’s device, which can be a recipe for disaster if that device is compromised or the employee’s home network is insecure. And let’s be honest, how many of us are actually remembering to keep our home routers and personal laptops updated and patched? I know I’m guilty of letting those updates slide from time to time. [2]
Embracing the Future of Secure Remote Access
Clearly, we need a better solution – one that not only provides secure access to our corporate resources but also gives us granular control and visibility over who is connecting and from where. Enter the world of zero-trust network access (ZTNA), also known as the software-defined perimeter (SDP). [3]
The basic premise of ZTNA is simple: instead of automatically granting access to anyone who connects through a VPN, it implements a “deny first, then allow” approach. In other words, no one gets access to anything unless they can prove who they are and that they have the appropriate permissions. [3] It’s like having a bouncers at the door of your corporate network, checking IDs and guest lists before letting anyone in.
But ZTNA is just one piece of the puzzle. To truly secure our remote workforce, we need to take a more holistic, cloud-based approach – enter Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). [4] SASE combines the benefits of ZTNA with a whole suite of other security and networking capabilities, all delivered from the cloud.
Imagine having a single pane of glass that gives you visibility and control over your entire remote access ecosystem. With SASE, you can enforce granular access policies, monitor user activity, and even optimize network performance – all while keeping your data and systems protected from the ever-evolving threats of the digital landscape. [4]
Putting SASE into Practice
Now, I know what you’re thinking – “That all sounds great, but how do I actually implement this SASE thing?” Well, my friends, let me tell you, it’s easier than you might think.
One of the key advantages of SASE is that it’s a cloud-native solution, which means you don’t have to worry about deploying and maintaining a bunch of on-premises hardware. [4] Instead, you can simply plug into a service like Cato SASE, which provides all the connectivity and security features you need in a single, easy-to-manage platform.
With Cato SASE, our remote employees can connect to the corporate network using either a lightweight client app or a seamless, browser-based experience. [5] And the best part? It all happens behind the scenes, with ZTNA and other security controls working quietly in the background to keep our data safe.
But it’s not just about the technology – we also need to make sure our employees are on board and understand their role in maintaining security. That’s why we’ve implemented a robust remote work policy, complete with guidelines on things like data handling, device usage, and incident reporting. [1] After all, our people are the first line of defense against the growing threat of cyber attacks.
A Brighter Future for Remote Work
As we’ve seen, the shift to remote work has introduced a whole new set of security challenges, but with the right tools and strategies, it doesn’t have to be a never-ending battle. By embracing SASE and empowering our employees to be security-savvy, we can create a remote work environment that’s not only productive but also rock-solid in its defenses.
So, let’s toast to the future of work – one where we can enjoy the comforts of home without sacrificing the security of our corporate assets. Cheers, my fellow WFH warriors, and may your remote network access be as secure as it is seamless.
[1] Knowledge from https://www.splashtop.com/blog/how-to-secure-remote-access-for-work-from-home-employees
[2] Knowledge from https://chronicle.security/blog/posts/8-best-practices-for-security-remote-work-access/
[3] Knowledge from https://blog.symquest.com/how-to-ensure-secure-remote-access-for-work-from-home-employees
[4] Knowledge from https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/how-to-secure-your-remote-workforce
[5] Knowledge from https://www.catonetworks.com/zero-trust-network-access/securing-the-remote-workforce-with-ztna/
