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What is Remote Control?

Remote control is a technology that allows users to control a computing device at a distance. This tool enables them to do certain functionalities a person sitting in front of the remote computer can. From there, they can take over the mouse, keyboard, and the apps installed on the target device. The goal of remote control technology is to eliminate the need for the physical presence of the user. This means that certain computing tasks can be accomplished without any physical intervention.

Remote control is one functionality that most MSPs look after for an RMM software. This tool allows them to manage their client’s endpoint devices with such ease and convenience. With remote control, they can monitor and manage a bunch of corporate networks, computers, and devices all at the same time. It makes them more productive and helps them accomplish their tasks a lot faster.

What is RMM?

Remote Monitoring Management or RMM is a type of software that allows managed IT service providers (MSPs) remotely monitor and manage their client’s endpoints, corporate networks, and IT systems. RMM usually works when a certain monitoring tool is installed on the end user’s endpoint device or computer. This tool gathers information about the overall condition of the remote devices and passes them to the MSPs.

When a certain problem is detected, the RMM software will automatically create an alert (or sometimes referred to as “ticket”) and sends it to the MSPs, allowing them to take action and provide solution needed to solve the technical issue. These tickets are usually categorized depending on the severity of the problem. RMM is important to MSPs as it allows them to take actions immediately whenever a client-owned device or network is at risk.

Some of the main uses of RMM are as follows:

• Gather information regarding the end user’s device or network.
• Actively updates the MSPs about the overall condition of their client’s endpoint or network.
• Creates tickets whenever a problem arises.
• Monitor the overall condition of the client’s device or network.
• Manage multiple endpoints simultaneously

Extending Remote Control to End Users

You want your RMM software to have all the functionalities needed for your role as an MSP. Investing in an RMM software that charges you for every added option or feature is something you don’t want to consider getting. If you’re looking for an effective RMM software, then invest in one that has the ability to extend remote control to users.

Being able to extend remote control to your clients can help you in so many ways. If the end users want to exactly see how their endpoints and computers are being managed, most likely, you need to utilize remote control for this. On the other hand, you can use remote control to effectively manage tons of corporate devices all at the same time. If the client also wants to train other employees or IT people within his company, you can use this functionality by displaying the screen of your computer on their end. This function is particularly beneficial to big and distributed organizations that have branch offices in different cities, or to some extent, countries.

You also don’t need to use Windows Remote Desktop Connection or RDC when you have the ability to extend remote control to end users. It’s no secret that this Microsoft built-in feature can only be used on the same network, and if you want to use it outside of your local network, you may need to establish a Virtual Private Network or VPN. However, the complexity of adding a VPN using RDC can be challenging at times. It also doesn’t support endpoints that have a multi-monitor setup.

Conclusion

As an MSP, you need to be consistent with the services you provide your clients with. Don’t make it to the point where clients can only enjoy certain functionalities after a few months of being subscribed to your service. You definitely need to consider getting an RMM software that can provide you with all these services from the get-go. One of which is the ability to extend remote control to end users.

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Important of Secure Remote Access VPN

Whether we like it or not, remote access has sadly, become a target ground for modern hacking and theft. This is due to the growing number of people using the said technology. Almost all types of industries use remote access to better their work functions. And even for simple device users, this technology helps them to access their devices from anywhere at any time. However, remote access can also be vulnerable to malicious attacks and threats.

In recent years, vpn access has been targeted by modern hackers to steal important and confidential information from people, businesses, and whatnot. A 2012 report from Verizon Data Breach Investigations revealed that in 2011, 88% of all hacking breaches found in their record is due to the utilization of remote access. It has also been found that 95% of all the detected malware in the previous year was due to the same technology.

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Another report released by Threatpost revealed that three healthcare organizations that use Remote Desktop Connection had their databases hacked by attackers through the vulnerable implementation of their remote desktop protocol or RDP. The breach saw 655,000 healthcare records across different parts of the US including Georgia, Farmington, and Missouri got stolen and sold on the dark web.

Ways to Secure Remote Access Software

There are tons of ways for you to secure remote access. If you haven’t outlined your policies in terms of securing your remote access yet, then consider these security tips down below:

Generate Strong Passwords – The first thing you need to ensure is to require users to provide a strong password before connecting to your corporate network. This will act as your first line of defense against unwanted access and malicious attacks outside of your walls and protection. Your password should be a combination of letters (both upper and lowercase), numbers, and special symbols.

Limit User Access – Your employees should not have 24/7 access to your network. This means that the time allotted for them to remotely access their office files and data should be limited. Make remote access privilege to anyone. Ensure that only those who need to use this technology are the ones who are able to connect to your network remotely. Even for system administrators, all access should be banned temporarily especially if remote access is not being used to manage and maintain office devices.

 Use Two-Factor Authentication – One way to strengthen your remote access login credentials is by establishing two-factor authentication or TFA. TFA provides you with stronger security by merging two different login components. Any unwanted users who want to gain access to your network will less likely to provide both of the required login credentials.

Invest in a Secure Remote Access Tool – All these security tips wouldn’t matter if you’re not invested in a secure remote access tool. See to it that the remote access software you have is secure enough for your business. One of the things you need to look after is its ability to encrypt remote sessions between the local and remote computers. This will ensure that all confidential interactions between the local and remote users are kept private and concealed.

You also need to consider if the remote access tool creates session confirmation whenever an access attempt is made. Usually, it comes with the login credentials that users need to provide before establishing a remote connection. This ensures that all access made on your device or network is allowed and permitted. You also want your software to have auto-update technology in it. This makes sure that all its security features, patches, and updates are current.

 Conclusion

Remote access, if implemented right, can be a great business ally that solves business emergencies and demands on the go. That’s why having a secure remote access system for your business is no longer a privilege, but a mere requirement for long-term success. By securing remote access, you no longer need to compromise your organization’s security just so you can have wider connectivity outside of your network.

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What is Conditional Access?

Conditional access is a technology that limits the amount of information that can be accessed by users. Simply put, it enables you to add another layer of security for your own organization’s network. With conditional access, you now have the ability to allow and block users from accessing your company’s network system. This ensures that all access made on your company is sanctioned and permitted, allowing you to avoid security incidents that can be brought by unauthorized access.

Businesses that use remote access need to understand the importance of conditional access. The sad reality with remote access these days is that it has become a target ground for modern hacking and theft. Having a strict policy when it comes to limiting user access and remote login can really make a huge difference in your company’s security and protection. This will allow you to mitigate the risk of a potential theft, and possibly, prevent a security incident from happening.

Some of the concerns conditional access can help you with are the following:

Remote login – Conditional access has the ability to detect if a particular access request is secure or not. This technology will tell you right away to either allow or block any sign-in attempt depending on the security risk level it carries. This will ensure that all access made on your network is anything but harmful.

Remote location – One of the things that conditional access can provide you with is the ability to detect if a particular login is made in a location that is outside of your IT department’s control. This will enable you to demand stronger proof and sign-in credentials before a remote user can establish a remote connection on your network. You can also block and allow login requests from certain areas and locations.

Remote endpoints – One of the top security concerns of businesses that use remote access is the level of security most employee-owned devices have. The thing with remote endpoints is that you don’t exactly know if they are secure enough for your own network. With conditional access, you can limit the number of remote endpoints that can access your corporate network.

This means that only those employee-owned devices that are under the control of your IT department are allowed to access your company’s network. This will ensure that all remote endpoints that can access your network is well regulated and managed.

Remote users – With conditional access technology, you can limit users who can access your network from remote locations. This means that only certain users who need to access your corporate files outside of your company’s premises are allowed to use remote access. Other than that, all access can be disabled temporarily.

Conclusion

Allowing users to access your corporate network can sometimes, bring some level of security concerns to it. Although it allows for a more productive and efficient work culture where business opportunities can enter, it can compromise your organization’s own security and protection.

The thing with hackers nowadays is that through unwanted access and forced entries, they can steal confidential and important information that can break business ties and relationships. Aside from causing you a major security breach, it can also prevent business opportunities from coming.

Conditional access, however, can help you strengthen your access policies from risky sign-in attempts. This is to ensure that every access established between the remote users and your network is secure and protected. With conditional access, you can mitigate and possibly, dodge the impact of a potential security breach.

As hackers look for new ways to force their way into your system, you need a tool or a technology that will help you identify and detect flawed and risky login attempts from entering your system. Conditional access technology can provide you with this capability. This technology can be your first line of defense against credential compromise, unwanted attacks, and malicious hackers. With the help of conditional access, you can be sure to have a safe environment where preventing a possible security incident from happening is possible.

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