Remote network access is the ability to securely connect to a private network from a remote location, allowing users to access internal systems, files, and resources over the internet.
Remote network access allows teams to access an organization’s software and communications technologies from beyond the company’s – or their own – local network.
From a productivity perspective, remote network access allows employees to access and send company emails from any device they are authenticated on. The same applies to accessing role-specific databases and workspaces, and sharing their finished projects with clients and coworkers from around the world.
Technical support is one area that has drastically benefited from remote network access.
IT technicians and employees no longer need to be physically on-location at the same time to offer or gain support. With remote access tools and technologies, technicians can make a remote desktop connection to a problematic PC and apply their own troubleshooting processes first-hand.
This remote support enables employees to work seamlessly from any location worldwide.
Remote access can take one of two forms:
We will focus on the latter, as SaaS applications allow remote access essentially by default.
SaaS applications host their databases and profiles on cloud-based architecture. Using the underlying compute power of the cloud, each tenant can request isolated access to their own environment.
Many workplace productivity and communication apps are cloud-based because they benefit the most from SaaS and IaaS’ lightweight, inbuilt remote access.
Not all resources can be moved to the cloud. Internal resources that remain on-premises may be:
True remote network access enables users to connect to and interact with these internal, on-prem systems.
Traditionally, remote access was achieved through dial-up connections – employees would connect to office networks using telephone lines linked to remote access servers.
Over time, more sophisticated methods like remote proxy servers and VPNs have evolved to improve:
A common method of remote access is via a reverse proxy server. This server:
Benefits of a reverse proxy setup:
Security functionality includes:
While reverse proxy servers are foundational, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are now the preferred option.
A VPN setup includes:
VPNs provide:
Challenges:
In short, remote network access enables secure connectivity to internal systems from anywhere. While SaaS apps offer built-in access, VPNs and reverse proxies remain essential for securely reaching on-premises resources.
CheckPoint Quantum provides secure remote access through a range of capabilities: from a simple firewall-compatible VPN, to a full endpoint security solution with firewall, application control, and compliance capabilities.
The remote access VPN provides a centrally managed and user-friendly approach that integrates seamlessly into every Check Point network firewall. Enforce and oversee the remote access protocols behind every connection. Client-to-site VPNs can easily be set up and configured across mobile and browser, including via a SSL portal that removes the need for VPN client downloads.
To bring full remote network connectivity to users and branches, Harmony SASE provides full-mesh private access to any user, workstation, and resource. It’s able to cohesively map your entire network topology and identify gaps in the defenses that keep your employees and customers safe.
