How to Secure Remote Workforces Using Firewalls
How to Protect Remote Workforce With Firewalls
Remote security has never been more important, with businesses counting on remote employees to keep operations running. Kerberos is the best technology used to secure sensitive company data from cyber threats by configuring firewall rules, VPN, and endpoint protection.
If your business employs remote workers, it is important to ensure that their connection is both safe and encrypted. The best way? Protection for employees, VPNs, and business assets working from anywhere—things you can consider renting!
So, here’s how to protect your remote workforce with effective firewalls.
VPN Configuration
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) reconnects remote workers to the enterprise secure networks. However, sensitive data may be vulnerable to cybercriminals without a VPN.
How to Secure Remote Work with a VPN
- Employ a business-grade firewall with VPN functionality. A cheaper option is to rent one.
- Use strong encryption techniques like AES-256 to protect against data compromise.
- Carefully enable split tunneling—allow only business necessary traffic to come through the VPN and keep other activities separate.
- Give each employee unique VPN credentials. Shared accounts pose a security risk.
- Frequently modernize VPN settings to ensure employees are using the most up-to-date security configurations.
Combining VPNs with firewall rules allows businesses to create a secured tunnel for remote workers while denying unwanted access.
Business Systems Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Even with a VPN, passwords alone aren’t sufficient. It is very easy for a cybercriminal to either steal a password or guess one. This is where MFA comes into play.
Why MFA is Important
MFA adds additional verification steps for users with:
- Something they are (fingerprint).
- Something they have (phone).
- A possession (a mobile authentication app or security token).
- Something you are (biometric authentication such as fingerprint or facial recognition).
Best Practices for Transitioning to Remote Work with MFA
- Make use of MFA on the VPN login—this controls who gets access to a company network.
- Use Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, and similar apps.
- Avoid SMS-based MFA—hackers can hijack your mobile number over a SIM swapping attack and intercept codes sent to your mobile device.
- Implement MFA for all remote connections, email, cloud apps, remote desktop, etc.
MFA adds a second layer of security, making it more difficult for cybercriminals to break in even if credentials are compromised.
Access Control Policies
Not every employee should have access to everything. Access control policies are the first line of defense, ensuring that each user only has as much permission as they need to do their job.
How to Configure Access Control with Firewalls
- Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict user permissions.
- Configure firewall rules to block traffic based on IP, geo, and user agent.
- Use network segmentation to ensure remote users are only accessing the systems they need.
- Close ports and protocols that are not needed to reduce the attack surface.
- Implement access restrictions based on time periods—restrict access to company resources to work hours only.
An access control firewall also ensures that even if your system is breached, not everything is available to intruders.
Endpoint Security
Remote employees connect from different locations and with different devices. One compromised device could risk the entire network. Endpoint protection prevents that from happening.
Steps to Secure Endpoints
- Lease a firewall with integrated endpoint protection to monitor for malware and vulnerabilities.
- Use antivirus and anti-malware software on all remote employee devices.
- Turn on device encryption to secure files in case a laptop or phone is stolen.
- Enable automatic OS and software updates—vulnerabilities make for easy targets for hackers.
- Collect all information in a cloud-based management system for IT teams to monitor distributed end-user devices.
Next-generation firewalls should be in place to filter traffic and block infected devices from sending malware elsewhere—endpoint security works best in this model.
Continuous Monitoring
Cyber threats are evolving continuously. Constant monitoring allows security teams to identify incidents and respond to them before they do any damage.
Having Firewalls and Continuous Monitoring
- Rent a firewall service that comes with real-time threat intelligence to stay ahead of new threats.
- Enable logging and alerts to track suspicious activity.
- Implement AI-powered intrusion detection systems (IDS) for security automation.
- Perform regular security audits to detect misconfigurations and vulnerabilities.
- Educate employees on cybersecurity best practices to minimize human error.
Monitoring network activity proactively enables businesses to stop a breach before it happens.
The Reason You Should Rent a Firewall
Not every venture has the funds or expertise to invest in expensive security machinery. This is where renting firewalls, VPN appliances, and endpoint protection is a smarter approach.
Advantages of Using a Firewall on Rent
- Reduced initial costs – You don’t have to invest thousands in a new security appliance.
- Latest security updates – Automatic updates and support are included with rented firewalls.
- Scalability – Allows you to upgrade or downgrade as needed.
- 24/7 monitoring and support – Provides around-the-clock security without extra IT workload.
- Compliance-ready – Most rented solutions conform to data protection regulations without requiring extra setup.
For businesses with remote workforces, renting a firewall with VPN, access control, and endpoint security is the easiest and most cost-effective way to ensure strong security without technical complexity.
Final Thoughts
A PSO strategy needs to have multiple layers for securing remote employees. With a well-configured firewall, solid VPN protocols, endpoint protection, and constant monitoring, your business is far less likely to be the target of a cyberattack.
Rather than requiring significant capital outlay on security infrastructure, a firewall rental enables a simple implementation of cybersecurity best practices without the equivalent commitment of time. Remote security, VPNs, firewall rules, and endpoint protection need to be at the forefront of your mind to protect business data.