When outsourcing managed security services, it is best to have capabilities for advanced remote management. Learn about what remote management is and why it is critical for your MSSP.
Building network security services in-house is often costly. Outsourcing managed security services can get more value out of money; it is better to outsource these from a service provider with a team of specialists well-versed in these requirements. These are called Managed Security Services (MSS).
One of the significant advantages of MSS is that these experts can keep up with the latest trends in digital asset management. The most compelling capabilities you must look for in a provider should include advanced remote managed security services.
Understanding Managed Security Services (MSS)
Companies that outsource these network security requirements are MSSP. They have their roots as far back as the 1990s during the height of Internet Service Providers, and they will sell firewall protections to customers.
Today, many organizations and businesses still operate their own in-house IT security team. These are costly to manage, especially with the growing demand for infrastructure, technology and knowledge.
A growing trend is that IT professionals are seeing the shift of partnering with an MSSP. Specialization is the game’s name, and businesses turn to MSSPs to solve their daily information security problems such as data privacy theft, malware attacks, or resource constraints.
The basic tenet for companies when dealing with MSSPs is that they only pay for what they need. Companies can focus on their industry and leave all the IT management to the MSSP. These tasks include system monitoring and control, breach protections, firewalls, network updates, and detections of intrusions.
As for the advanced sort, MSSPs can also conduct vulnerability audits and emergency incident responses (should an actual breach happen). The strength of a good MSSP is that they should be available 24/7, especially when the business or company needs them for protection or response.
This is why it is cost-efficient to find MSSPs with the capability for Advanced Remote Management to respond to various contingencies anytime and anywhere.
The looming threat of cybersecurity breaches are continually growing, innovating, and expanding. This is why it is better to employ MSSPs to address and prepare for them because they are specialized and continuously updated on the latest cybersecurity threats.
MSSPs with Advanced Remote Managed Security Services can access security management incidents on time. It can simplify risk management and compliance efforts because they can act with urgency.
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An Explainer on Advanced Remote Managed Security Services
Advanced Remote Management (ARM) is a capability that gives end-user devices remote access for purposes such as maintenance and troubleshooting. This uses a remote management client with enhanced functionality.
Even without being physically present, remote access enables network or system access, whether on an office server or a personal device — while maintaining data security. This is a premium feature, especially in today’s COVID-19 pandemic situation, where employees are compelled to work from home.
Setting Up Remote Management
Remote management is typically done through desktop access wherein a user accesses a computer to interact with another desktop. This is accomplished by installing software on both the host computer (where the controller establishes connection) and the target computer (the unit that is being accessed).
Upon successful configuration, the remote desktop software prompts a window that allows the host computer to control the target computer. This connection will enable network files to be read and written in the target computer.
Evolution of the Technology
In the past, remote access solutions would use dial-up technologies to connect the office network through remote servers through telephones.
But advanced remote managed security nowadays has evolved by leaps and bounds. Instead of dial-up, the dominant technology now is a virtual private network (VPN) technology. The technology creates a secure path over a public network such as the World Wide Web. It can also make remote login and file access across various wide area networks.
For a VPN to operate, the client software must be installed on the host system and the server software must also be present on the target computer.
An alternative is using client/server software using SSH or secure shell protocol for remote file access. It provides a command-line interface to the target computer. The remote access server uses a firewall server for protection and a router can forward the remote access request to another network.
The Importance of Remote Access
Advanced remote access is essential because it introduces flexibility and adaptability in the workflow of a network. This is especially crucial nowadays with the advent of a viral pandemic wherein many businesses are operating online or in their homes. Even with the health protocols of social distancing, remote access will ensure a business’s sustained operations.
According to a survey from Gallup’s State of the American Workplace, as early as 2016, 43% of employees have already been rending work via remote management capacity. This is a marked 39% increase from numbers in 2012.
Globally, the numbers are not all that different — and it is more indicative of a radical paradigm shift when it comes to the new trends of rendering work hours. IWG has discovered that 70% of employees have clocked in remote work at least one day per week.
Best Practices for Remote Access Security
Several industry standards have been tried and tested to get results to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of remote access security.
Advanced remote managed security access has significant advantages, but it comes with vulnerabilities as well. It is essential to prioritize the overall health of the digital environment from cybercrimes. These breaches and hacks are growing in number and complexity with each passing day. The rule of thumb is always to be updated about these growing threats. There must be due diligence to keep exploitative hackers from exposing your private data.
Endpoint Protection is very crucial.
This term encompasses aspects such as server security, patch updates, firewalls, and software against viruses. When the data privacy is compromised, it can lead to irreparable brand destruction or permanent financial damage. This is why it is vital to have a secure connection. It is risky to rely on public Wi-Fi and other similar online connections. These can expose your network to a catalog of cybersecurity risks and invisible online attacks. Unfortunate possibilities include the snatching of passwords and sensitive personal information. There are laws in place that protect against private data’s mishandling, so you’re opening your company to significant penalties if you fail to protect your advanced remote management security.
Personal devices should not be used for work.
These include smartphones, tablets, personal laptops and other gadgetry. If these devices are not updated with the latest patch or antivirus software, they are opening a wormhole of system vulnerabilities if they are used within your remote access software. If it can’t be helped, IT technicians should process the device to comply with the strict security measures needed to protect the system.
Password complexity is also a standard practice that must be enforced to all.
As an added layer of protection, passwords must have at least eight to fifteen characters. They also must contain an eclectic mix of characters such as symbols, numbers, and alternating cases. Never use a password where a hint can be acquired just by seeing the username. If possible, don’t use personal information in the password; make it hard to guess.
Apart from the intricate password design, there must be a secure place to store these passwords. One example of an industry-grade security system is the use of vault-protected password management solutions.
In the past, security breaches were avoided with one-factor authentication — that is, the use of a single password to gain entry. In today’s world, this is no longer sufficient. Multi-factor authentication has taken its place as a best practice.
Multi-factor authentication is not set in stone. IT technicians can choose whatever combination of security measures to strengthen access protection. It can come in the way of a password, combined with a login code from a physical sim card. It can be by way of biometrics or a security question. The choices and combinations are numerous.
Factors to Consider when Choosing Remote Access Software
In today’s digital market, countless companies provide options for advanced remote management security. When choosing the best fit for your brand, it is best to consider the following factors.
- Scalability. This is the capability of remote access software to grow, expand, or adjust depending on your company’s needs. They can accommodate the spike in end users should you expand or grow your business or company. Even with a hundred or a thousand employees, scalable remote access can provide sufficient support with no interruptions.
- Reliable communication. Clients, especially in dire emergencies, will want to have a fast and comprehensive communication to identify errors and gather solutions. Communication tools such as video conferencing, live chat and screen sharing with technicians should be on hand for an efficient flow of information. Connection security should also feature encryption methods such as RC4 and RSA and two-factor authentication to keep the data protected.
- Active Directory Integration. The directory of end users can be managed well with the use of this feature. It can help centralize IT sign-ins, even if the users are in remote locations. This helps facilitate faster updates, unifications and resets within the system.
- Help Desks. More importantly, the advanced remote management software should be able to conduct assistance through a ticket, with the metadata of these sessions appropriately saved. This will help end-users remain updated about the status of every help desk ticket.
Other troubleshooting features that must be implemented are screenshot recording, local batch scripts in a system shell setting and the restarting or closure of computers with ease.
The New Normal
Today, remote work is fast becoming the norm among industries because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of health protocols, many employees are compelled to work from home. Advanced remote management can help spark higher employee engagement, operations sustainability despite challenging times, and greater flexibility.
But there are challenges to remote management that must be addressed by choosing the right features that go with the advanced remote managed security software. Companies should decide wisely to avoid problems with their digital environment. This is a difficult undertaking for many companies and it’s best to have professional guidance when choosing outsourced managed security services.
Expertise and Experience to Guide Your MSS
RSI Security is one of the widely trusted and leading authorities among all other providers of advanced remote managed security services. Our specialty is the mitigation of advanced threats in your digital environment.
We feature state of the art Advanced Remote Management (ARM) to oversee your systems remotely, giving us the capability to maintain and troubleshoot any time needed. Advanced threats require advanced defenses. This is what we provide. Our extensive years of industry knowledge gives us the edge in intrusion detection and penetration and incident responses. We will also make sure that your company complies with all the legal requirements and industry standards.
Our advanced remote management enables us to provide cost-efficient solutions such as custom workflows, flexible scheduling, web-based intelligent audit forms, corrective actions, data-powered analytics and case management. We are on top of your digital security at all times, and rates far more efficient than in-house security resources.
Here is a comprehensive list of Managed Security Services from RSI Security:
Vulnerability Assessment and Management Penetration Testing
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
- Managed Detection and Response Infrastructure Management
- Endpoint Security Management
- File Integrity Monitoring (FIM)
- Antivirus Malware Remediation
- Forensic Analysis
- Device Health Monitoring Software
- Patch Management DNS/Content Filtering Backups (Servers & Workstations)
- Compliance Management and Reporting Documentation
- Disk Encryption
With our core values of risk reduction, customer value, and cost efficiency, RSI Security experts will guide you through all your technology and expert needs with diligent care.
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