What makes up a business network has been changing for several years but took a big leap this year due to the pandemic and related stay-at-home orders requiring employees to work remotely.
Rather than a “network” being contained in a single office, it now extends to multiple employee homes, which means that network security also has to adjust respectively.
While sending employees home during the height of the pandemic, companies came up with quick ways to try to keep workers secure, such as having them dial in using a VPN. But now, many businesses in Treasure Valley and throughout the country are planning to keep some or all employees remotely permanently.
74% of companies say that after the pandemic, they’ll keep some employees remote permanently.
With a permanent move to having a remote team, companies are now looking for more permanent solutions to remote network security that can ensure their accounts and data are secure and compliance needs are met.
Calyptix Gatekeeper™: A New Work From Home Security Solution
Security software makers have noticed the evolution to a remote workforce and one of the newest solutions developed to protect the extended business network is from Calyptix.
Their Gatekeeper™ application is designed to improve the security of protocols like Microsoft’s popular Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), which has many known security challenges. It’s also designed to secure another common remote protocol used for connections between home and office assets, SSH.
This work-from-home security solution for businesses has multiple advantages that make it an excellent addition to any network security plan designed to cover a remote team.
Easier to Use Than a VPN
Setting up a VPN (virtual private network) app on every employee device and training them how to use it for connections can take time and be cumbersome.
Gatekeeper is designed to be easy to implement with no VPN client to set up, install or maintain. It also doesn’t have any performance problems that connecting through a VPN can cause.
Shields Systems from Unauthorized Users
This firewall protection system for remote teams helps to keep unauthorized users out of your systems and accounts. This includes keeping out botnets, brute force attacks, and more.
The application uses two-factor authentication (2FA), so it can even keep out hackers that may have stolen legitimate login credentials.
Solves Security Problems with SSH and RDP Connections
RDP is notorious for having security flaws that can allow hackers in, yet it’s a popular protocol for connecting to remote assets.
RDP brute force attacks have also skyrocketed during the pandemic, going up 41% in April 2020 alone.
Using Gatekeeper to secure RDP and SSH can help alleviate vulnerabilities due to misconfigurations of a remote protocol or lack of proper safeguards. Allowing businesses to use them with much more confidence that they won’t become the source of a breach.
Works with All Types of Operating Systems/Devices
One of the security challenges when you’re working with a remote team is that they may have a variety of different devices and operating systems in use. One employee may be using a MacBook running macOS, while another may be using a PC with Windows 10.
Trying to secure data transmission across all those devices can be a problem if you don’t have a flexible security solution.
Gatekeeper can be used with multiple operating systems and devices, including:
- Windows
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
- and more
Improves Data Privacy Compliance
Companies that have to follow data privacy compliance rules, can have a nightmare on their hands with remote workers if they don’t have the right systems in place to protect their extended network.
This is another area where Gatekeeper comes through for businesses by incorporating cybersecurity and compliance best practices, including many that are outlined in the NIST 800-53 and NIST 800-171 standards.
The system is also auditor friendly, making it easy to backtrack and monitor network login activity.
Mitigate the Security Risk of Remote Workers
Security is a major concern when you have a remote team. 36% of surveyed organizations say they’ve had a security problem stemming from a work-from-home employee.
Using a remote security application like Gatekeeper can mitigate that risk by securing all your remote connections, no matter where they’re coming from.
With a secure team, you can enjoy the advantages of a remote workforce, such as higher productivity and lower costs, without having to be kept up at night worrying about RDP and SSH vulnerabilities.
Secure Your Remote Team with Calyptix Gatekeeper™ Today!
Put in a permanent security solution for your extended network and ensure you’re not at risk of a breach. Connect2Geek can help your network stay protected no matter how far it extends.
Schedule a free security consultation today! Call 208-468-4323 or reach out online.