What Is Remote Access?
What you need to know about remote access, protocols, benefits, key considerations, and more.
What Is Remote Access?
Remote Access Definition
Remote access is built to help connect and gain access to internal network resources, such as IT services, data, and applications, from any location. A device equipped with remote access software can enable authorized users to access a computer or device remotely from anywhere without physically visiting a specific location or workstation to troubleshoot the problem.
What is a remote desktop?
A remote desktop is a solution used to provide a remote access connection to a computer or device without needing the person accessing remotely, typically an IT support technician, to be physically present. Remote desktop software is built to access computers and devices located in and outside corporate networks.
How to use remote access
An organization can provide its employees, customers, or other stakeholders with remote support to help ensure flexibility and business continuity. IT teams can use remote access to connect with another computer or device in a different location through the following approaches:
- Virtual Private Network (VPN): Allows users working remotely to create a secure and encrypted connection to their company's internet or application. A VPN masks the IP address of the user to disguise their online identity and maintain privacy.
- Remote access software: Allows someone, typically a member of the IT or support team, to access a computer from a remote location to troubleshoot technical issues. Remote access software can also be used for remote management and administration.
What are the benefits of remote access for businesses?
Besides eliminating the need to be physically present for logging in to a system to troubleshoot technical issues, using a remote access connection can be valuable for businesses in the following ways:
- Greater Productivity and Flexibility: Flexibility to troubleshoot issues from anywhere on desktop or mobile devices can result in a more productive workforce.
- Improve Safety: Users can be protected from cyberthreats with a remote access solution designed to be secure with encryption and multi-factor authentication.
- Business Continuity: Work disruptions can significantly impact business operations. The right remote access software can help eliminate concerns that arise from the lack of physical access to a device and keep the business running smoothly.
- Lower Costs: With a remote working environment, organizations can minimize operational costs with a reduction in use of office facilities such as desk space, equipment, computers, and other amenities.
What are common types of remote access protocols?
Remote access protocols help manage a connection between a remote computer and remote server. Common remote access protocols include:
- Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP): A data link protocol used for establishing a direct connection between two connected computers. PPP is widely used in broadband communications with very high speed and load.
- Internet Protocol Security (IPsec): A secure network protocol, IPsec authenticates and encrypts data to provide security between computers over the IP network.
- Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP): A network protocol to implement VPN tunnels between public networks. It's now considered obsolete due to various security issues.
- Remote Access Services (RAS): A RAS setup allows users to connect from a remote location to the corporate network via a direct dial-up network or VPN.
- Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP): A proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft, RDP provides users with a graphical interface for connecting to another computer.
- Propriety Protocol: Some remote access solutions may be built to use a propriety protocol for remote sessions. These protocols can leverage AES-256 and SSL/TLS key exchange to help ensure safety during a session.
What are key considerations for selecting remote access software?
Choosing the right remote access software for an IT or tech support team can be daunting. With multiple options available, it’s critical to find the solution best suited to an organization's requirements. Consider the following while making a final selection:
- Safety: Adding multiple layers of protection features to remote access software, such as IP filtering and multi-factor authentication, can help avoid the risk of malicious activities.
- Compliance: A remote solution should be protocol compliant with applicable industry regulations. For instance, in the healthcare industry, a remote access solution must be compliant with HIPAA regulations to help ensure safer transfers of real-time data.
- Ease of Use: The remote support software should be simple and easy to use to allow you to deliver fast customer support with extensive troubleshooting capabilities.
- Support Features: Although basic remote access software can provide the ability to connect to computers at another location, the inclusion of advanced support features, such as the ability to more easily troubleshoot remote workstations with multiple monitors and provide video support, can also be helpful features to look for in a remote access solution.
What Is Remote Access?
Remote Access Definition
Remote access is built to help connect and gain access to internal network resources, such as IT services, data, and applications, from any location. A device equipped with remote access software can enable authorized users to access a computer or device remotely from anywhere without physically visiting a specific location or workstation to troubleshoot the problem.
What is a remote desktop?
A remote desktop is a solution used to provide a remote access connection to a computer or device without needing the person accessing remotely, typically an IT support technician, to be physically present. Remote desktop software is built to access computers and devices located in and outside corporate networks.
How to use remote access
An organization can provide its employees, customers, or other stakeholders with remote support to help ensure flexibility and business continuity. IT teams can use remote access to connect with another computer or device in a different location through the following approaches:
- Virtual Private Network (VPN): Allows users working remotely to create a secure and encrypted connection to their company's internet or application. A VPN masks the IP address of the user to disguise their online identity and maintain privacy.
- Remote access software: Allows someone, typically a member of the IT or support team, to access a computer from a remote location to troubleshoot technical issues. Remote access software can also be used for remote management and administration.
What are the benefits of remote access for businesses?
Besides eliminating the need to be physically present for logging in to a system to troubleshoot technical issues, using a remote access connection can be valuable for businesses in the following ways:
- Greater Productivity and Flexibility: Flexibility to troubleshoot issues from anywhere on desktop or mobile devices can result in a more productive workforce.
- Improve Safety: Users can be protected from cyberthreats with a remote access solution designed to be secure with encryption and multi-factor authentication.
- Business Continuity: Work disruptions can significantly impact business operations. The right remote access software can help eliminate concerns that arise from the lack of physical access to a device and keep the business running smoothly.
- Lower Costs: With a remote working environment, organizations can minimize operational costs with a reduction in use of office facilities such as desk space, equipment, computers, and other amenities.
What are common types of remote access protocols?
Remote access protocols help manage a connection between a remote computer and remote server. Common remote access protocols include:
- Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP): A data link protocol used for establishing a direct connection between two connected computers. PPP is widely used in broadband communications with very high speed and load.
- Internet Protocol Security (IPsec): A secure network protocol, IPsec authenticates and encrypts data to provide security between computers over the IP network.
- Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP): A network protocol to implement VPN tunnels between public networks. It's now considered obsolete due to various security issues.
- Remote Access Services (RAS): A RAS setup allows users to connect from a remote location to the corporate network via a direct dial-up network or VPN.
- Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP): A proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft, RDP provides users with a graphical interface for connecting to another computer.
- Propriety Protocol: Some remote access solutions may be built to use a propriety protocol for remote sessions. These protocols can leverage AES-256 and SSL/TLS key exchange to help ensure safety during a session.
What are key considerations for selecting remote access software?
Choosing the right remote access software for an IT or tech support team can be daunting. With multiple options available, it’s critical to find the solution best suited to an organization's requirements. Consider the following while making a final selection:
- Safety: Adding multiple layers of protection features to remote access software, such as IP filtering and multi-factor authentication, can help avoid the risk of malicious activities.
- Compliance: A remote solution should be protocol compliant with applicable industry regulations. For instance, in the healthcare industry, a remote access solution must be compliant with HIPAA regulations to help ensure safer transfers of real-time data.
- Ease of Use: The remote support software should be simple and easy to use to allow you to deliver fast customer support with extensive troubleshooting capabilities.
- Support Features: Although basic remote access software can provide the ability to connect to computers at another location, the inclusion of advanced support features, such as the ability to more easily troubleshoot remote workstations with multiple monitors and provide video support, can also be helpful features to look for in a remote access solution.
Deliver the tools IT professionals need in a cloud-based, remote support solution.
Remote control and systems management tools in one easy-to-use package.
Affordable remote control software for all your customer support and help desk needs.
View More Resources
What Is ITSM?
IT service management (ITSM) is the set of processes and activities involved in planning, designing, delivering, managing, and maintaining IT services.
View IT GlossaryWhat Is Remote Desktop Protocol?
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) enables users to remotely access and control physical and virtual devices running on Windows.
View IT GlossaryWhat is Active Directory?
Active Directory is an important part of IT infrastructure. It can be used to manage devices, users, domains, and objects within a network.
View IT Glossary