Remote Access

What is Remote Access?

Remote access is the ability of a user or computing device to connect and interact with a specific computer, network, software application, or shared resource from a distant location.

Some types of remote access offer limited access to specific resources or functionalities. Other types can provide full access and allow users to control another computing device as if they were physically present.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. What is Remote Access?
2. Key Takeaways
3. How Remote Access Works
4. Remote Access Types
5. Remote Access Protocols
6. Uses of Remote Access
7. 5 Best Practices for Providing Secure Remote Access
8. Remote Access Pros & Cons
9. The Bottom Line
10. FAQs
11. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. What is Remote Access?
2. Key Takeaways
3. How Remote Access Works
Show Full Guide
4. Remote Access Types
5. Remote Access Protocols
6. Uses of Remote Access
7. 5 Best Practices for Providing Secure Remote Access
8. Remote Access Pros & Cons
9. The Bottom Line
10. FAQs
11. References

How Remote Access Works

Remote access establishes a connection between a user or device in one location and an information technology (IT) resource in a different location. The connection allows the user or device to interact with remote resources as if they were physically present.

Remote access typically requires a reliable, fast Internet connection. Organizations that deal with sensitive information or have high-bandwidth or low-latency requirements may benefit from providing remote access through a virtual private network (VPN) or leased line.

Remote Connections via VPNs

VPNs create a secure Internet connection by using network protocols supporting tunneling.

In a VPN tunnel, a VPN client places a data packet inside the payload of another packet that adheres to a different protocol. The encapsulating protocol encrypts the packet to ensure secure transmission over the network to a VPN server, where it is decrypted and forwarded to the intended destination.

The connection’s security from the server to the final destination depends on various factors, including the protocols used, the security measures implemented at the destination, and whether end-to-end encryption is employed.

Remote Access Types

Different types of remote access provide varying levels of control over the target system, network, or resource. This variation is largely determined by the specific purpose of the remote access method and the needs of the user or organization.

For example, the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and Virtual Network Computing (VNC) offer high levels of control and allow users to interact with an entire desktop environment or remote access server as if they were physically present.

In contrast, other types of remote access will only provide limited control. For example, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms hosted on remote cloud servers can grant access to specific programs or virtualized environments without exposing the entire system. This ensures that users can perform specific tasks securely while reducing the risk of unintended changes to other parts of the system.

Remote Access Protocols

Protocols provide the rules and standards that enable secure and reliable communication between devices and networks in different locations. Protocols used for remote access include:

• Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)
• Virtual Network Computing (VNC)
• Secure Shell (SSH)
• Internet Protocol Security (IPsec)
• OpenVPN
• WireGuard
• Secure Sockets Layer / Transport Layer Security (SSL/TLS)
• Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS)
• Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)
• File Transfer Protocol Secure (FTPS)
• Rsync
• RDP over HTTPS

Network Protocols That Support Remote Access

Uses of Remote Access

Arguably, the widespread success of remote access during COVID-19 turned it from a nice-to-have feature into a requirement for success.

During lockdowns, when employees worked from home, technical support teams leaned heavily on remote access tools to troubleshoot devices and maintain systems without requiring on-site visits. At the same time, educational institutions rapidly scaled their online learning platforms, and healthcare providers expanded telemedicine capabilities to meet public health needs.

Moving forward, remote access to digital resources from anywhere is expected to continue shaping how people interact with technology, both at home and in the workplace.

5 Best Practices for Providing Secure Remote Access

Organizations can feel confident about granting remote access by following these five best practices:

Remote Access Pros & Cons

Remote access can boost productivity, but its use can introduce security risks if not implemented correctly.

The Bottom Line

The definition of remote access has evolved significantly over the years due to technological advancements and shifts in how people work and use digital resources.

Initially, remote access was used mainly by IT professionals who needed to access mainframes from another location. With the rise of the Internet, however, it became possible for end-users to access corporate networks and resources from home, and VPNs became a standard way to secure remote access.

By the early 2010s, employees and IT administrators could use a variety of operating system utilities and third-party tools to facilitate remote access. By the time COVID-19 disrupted workplaces globally in 2020, many organizations and individuals were already relying on cloud services for some aspects of remote work, learning, and telemedicine.

FAQs