Strengthening Remote Access Security with Allowlisting
- Blog
- September 18, 2023
- 9:38 pm
Remote work has become the standard for many organizations, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic’s lasting impact. While remote work offers flexibility and cost savings, it also exposes organizations to significant security risks. Remote workers often use unsecured networks and devices, increasing their vulnerability to cyberattacks and data breaches. In fact, a 2020 IBM report stated that the average cost of a data breach reached $3.86 million, with remote work adding an extra $137,000 to that cost.
To safeguard sensitive data and systems from unauthorized access, organizations must implement robust security measures for their remote teams. One such effective method is allowlisting, also known as application control. Allowlisting is a technique that allows only approved users, devices, applications, and IP addresses to access a network or a system while blocking all others. This way, allowlisting prevents malicious scripts, malware, ransomware, and other threats from executing on remote endpoints or servers.
This article explores the workings of allowlisting, its importance for remote work security, and practical implementation strategies. Real-world examples and relevant tools are also discussed.
Understanding How Allowlisting Works
Allowlisting operates on the “default deny” principle, meaning that everything is blocked unless explicitly permitted. This stands in contrast to the traditional “default allow” approach, where everything is permitted unless explicitly prohibited, often using blacklists or blocklists of known malicious entities, such as malware signatures or IP addresses. However, blacklists are ineffective against unknown threats, allowing them to bypass these defenses.
Allowlisting, on the other hand, relies on whitelists, which include trusted entities like users, devices, applications, or IP addresses. These entities undergo verification and authentication before gaining access. Any entity not on the allowlist is automatically denied, thus reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Granularity Levels for Allowlisting
Allowlisting can be applied at different levels of granularity, depending on the needs and preferences of the organization. These include:
- User-level allowlisting: This allows only specific users or groups of users to access a system or a network. The users are identified by their credentials, such as usernames and passwords, or by other factors, such as biometrics or tokens.
- Device-level allowlisting: Only designated devices or device types can access systems or networks, identified by unique identifiers.
- Application-level allowlisting: This limits the number and types of programs that can operate on a device or network. The signatures, hashes, or certifications of the applications serve as a means of identification.
- IP-level allowlisting: With this, specific IP addresses or IP ranges are allowed to connect to systems or networks, verified by their source or destination.
Why Allowlisting Is Essential for Remote Work Security
Allowlisting is one of the most effective ways to secure remote access for distributed teams. Here are some of the benefits of using allowlisting for remote work security:
- It prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems by blocking malicious actors and insiders.
- It protects against zero-day threats and unknown malware by allowing only trusted applications and scripts to run on remote endpoints.
- It reduces the reliance on antivirus software and firewalls by eliminating the need for constant updates and patches.
- It simplifies security management and compliance by providing a clear audit trail of who accessed what and when.
- It enhances productivity and performance by reducing network congestion and bandwidth consumption.
Best Practices for Implementing Allowlisting for Remote Teams
Effective implementation of allowlisting for remote teams involves the following best practices:
~ Conduct a thorough inventory of your data, systems, users, devices, applications, and IP addresses that need to be protected and accessed remotely.
~ Define your security policies and objectives based on your risk assessment and business requirements.
~ Choose the level and method of allowlisting that suits your needs and preferences. You can use a combination of different levels and methods for different scenarios.
~ Test your allowlists before deploying them in production. Use a sandbox environment or a pilot group to verify the functionality and compatibility of your allowlists.
~ Monitor and update your allowlists regularly. Review your logs and reports to identify any anomalies or changes in your environment.
~ Educate your remote workers about the benefits and responsibilities of using allowlists. Provide them with clear guidelines and instructions on how to use them properly.
Real-World Examples of Allowlisting in Remote Work
Several organizations have successfully integrated allowlisting into their remote work security strategies. Here are some examples:
– The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) uses allowlisting to protect its networks and systems from cyberattacks. The DoD uses a tool called Application Whitelisting Service (AWS), which allows only approved applications to run on its endpoints. The AWS also monitors and reports any unauthorized attempts to access or modify the system.
– Allowlisting is used by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to shield its computer systems from ransomware threats. AppLocker, a program used by the ATO, restricts access to its endpoints so that only approved applications can execute there. Any executable files are also prohibited from operating on removable storage devices like USB drives by the AppLocker.
– Oxford University employs allowlisting to give its workers and students secure remote access. The university uses a program called Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, which restricts access to its network to only approved people and gadgets. For distant connections, Cisco AnyConnect additionally offers encryption and authentication.
Tools and Technologies for Remote Access Control
Several tools and technologies can assist in implementing allowlisting for remote teams:
- ThreatLocker: ThreatLocker is a cybersecurity solution that offers a unified approach to protecting against zero-day vulnerabilities. It combines allowlisting, ringfencing, and storage control to prevent unauthorized access and the execution of malicious scripts on remote endpoints and servers.
- NordLayer: NordLayer is a business VPN solution that offers secure network access for remote teams with custom gateways and IP allowlists, ensuring encryption and authentication.
- PC Matic: The antivirus program PC Matic uses allowlisting to stop malware and ransomware. It offers real-time protection and updates for your system and only permits trustworthy applications to run on your devices.
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Concluding Take
To sum up, allowlisting stands as a potent and established method for securing remote access for distributed teams. It allows only approved users, devices, applications, and IP addresses to access your data and systems while blocking all others. This way, it prevents unauthorized access, malware, ransomware, and other threats from compromising your system.
To implement allowlisting for your remote teams, you need to conduct a thorough inventory of your environment, define your security policies and objectives, choose the level and method of allowlisting that suit your needs, test your allowlists before deploying them, monitor and update them regularly, and educate your remote workers about them. By using allowlisting, you can protect your data and systems from cyberattacks while enabling your remote workers to access them from anywhere in the world.
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