What Is Remote Network Access? Understand Remote Access
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.
Why Remote Network Access is Important
Remote network access allows teams to access an organization’s software and communications technologies from beyond the company’s – or their own – local network.
Better Productivity
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.
Better Technical Support
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.
How Remote Access Works
Remote access can take one of two forms:
- Access via Software as a Service (SaaS) applications
- Access through a specific remote utility solution that an organization sets up alongside its internal network.
We will focus on the latter, as SaaS applications allow remote access essentially by default.
SaaS: Remote Access 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.
Why Remote Utility Solutions Are Still Needed
Not all resources can be moved to the cloud. Internal resources that remain on-premises may be:
- Too expensive to migrate
- Risky to alter due to dependencies or legacy systems
True remote network access enables users to connect to and interact with these internal, on-prem systems.
From Dial-Up to Reverse Proxy
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:
- petites entreprises
- Vitesse
- Fonctionnalité
Reverse Proxy Server Setup
A common method of remote access is via a reverse proxy server. This server:
- Sits next to the on-premises application or database
- Handles inbound traffic from remote users
Benefits of a reverse proxy setup:
- Minimal changes required to the on-prem network
- No agent installation needed on the user’s device
- Routers simply forward access requests to the correct network location
- Helps maintain an organized access environment
Security functionality includes:
- User authentication
- Integration with firewall rules to evaluate traffic legitimacy
- Forwarding logs to a SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tool for visibility
VPN: The Preferred Method
While reverse proxy servers are foundational, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are now the preferred option.
A VPN setup includes:
- Backend server software to verify and forward requests
- Client software installed on the remote user’s device
VPNs provide:
- Encrypted connections between the user and the on-prem server
- Protection over insecure home or public networks
- Additional authentication layers before data access is allowed
Challenges:
- Integrating VPNs with other security tools (like firewalls) can be complex
- Requires careful configuration to maintain both usability and security
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.
Achieve Verifiably Secure Remote Network Access with Check Point
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.
