Remote Work Isn't the Challenge. Securing It Is.

Working from home is no longer the challenge. Securing work from home is the challenge.

In recent years, organizations have embraced a hybrid work model. For most of us, connecting remotely to organizational systems has become an integral part of our work routine.

But when we ask clients how they enable remote access, the answer is still consistently the same: VPN.

Beyond Basic Connectivity

The problem is no longer "how to connect," but rather, "how to connect securely." When an employee connects from home, there are quite a few questions organizations need to ask themselves:

• Is the user accessing only the resources they truly need?
• Is the connection being made from an approved country?
• Is Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enabled?
• Does the endpoint comply with organizational policy?
• Is the EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) active?
• Is BitLocker enabled?
• Is the computer managed and connected to the domain?
• Are we checking all of this only at login, or continuously throughout the session?

The Rise of Security Service Edge (SSE)

In a world where user and device identity are as crucial as the network itself, traditional VPN no longer provides the level of control and visibility organizations expect. This is where the Security Service Edge (SSE) approach comes in.

Using solutions like Netskope, organizations can enforce access policies based on identity, geographical location, and risk level, ensuring that each user receives access only to what they truly need.

Securing External Users and BYOD

However, the challenge doesn't end with internal employees. What about external vendors, consultants, contractors, or BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) users? How do you grant them access without exposing the entire corporate network?

Instead of providing broad access through a VPN, controlled access can be enabled for specific resources only. This includes enforcing MFA, privilege separation, and in some cases, even preventing the copying, downloading, or uploading of sensitive information.

Taking it a step further, SaaS applications and internal resources can also be accessed via a secure enterprise browser, eliminating the need for direct access to the corporate network.

The transition to hybrid work has already happened. The question is, has your security model evolved with it?