Mobile And Remote Working: Is It Secure?

Increased remote working implies increased security at the end points and there is a wide range of solutions available including remote firewalls and specific end point solutions, which can be administered centrally. Such solutions can extend network protection strategies to mobile and remote users. They can also ensure that firewall, anti-virus and security patches are used by remote and mobile users when they should be.

Check Point provides 'End Security', an end point security solution which combines a firewall, network access control, program control, anti-virus, anti-spyware, data security and remote access. It allows security policies at end points to be viewed and modified from a single management console.

Branch offices can install low-cost remote unified threat management systems (UTMs) which incorporate VPNs and these can be centrally administered, typically by the head office, providing the same levels of gateway protection as there is at the centre. SSL VPNs can provide security of data in transit for mobile users connecting into head office or between branches.

Solutions such as WatchGuard's Firebox SOHO Edge (available in wired and wireless versions) and Check Point's UTM-1 Appliance are UTMs suitable for remote/branch offices which combine a firewall, VPN, zero day protection, anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, intrusion prevention and URL filtering.

Low cost encryption can protect remote laptop users and safeguard against data loss. In the past, poor performance and high costs prevented the use of encryption software, but today's high performance and low cost solutions make it impossible to justify not encrypting laptops. Low cost solutions from encryption specialists such as Utimaco can protect network data, laptops and removable media.

Finally, wireless is high risk and all mobile wireless traffic should be over VPNs and be encrypted, with the use of strong authentication.