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Enabling ongoing wide-scale remote work is now mission-critical. As remote staff live work from anywhere, organizations must safeguard critical systems. But securing distributed workforces brings daunting challenges that legacy VPNs fail to fully answer.
In this comprehensive secure remote access guide, we’ll unpack:
- The mounting threats posed by work from home trends
- Modern protocols and architectures enabling secure access
- How to evaluate your remote workforce requirements
- The 10 top solutions for true enterprise-grade secure connectivity
I’ve helped consult many leading firms on their remote access strategies and distilled key recommendations here so your company can stay productive and protected. Let’s examine how to keep your data, devices, and staff secure in today’s work from anywhere business landscape.
Why Secure Remote Access Matters More Than Ever
First, let’s quantify the immense remote work shifts happening:
- Pre-pandemic only 30% worked remotely. But over 50% of all employees worked from home through COVID-19 restrictions.
- Post-pandemic, remote work levels will remain extremely high permanently, with projections that 48% of all staff will now work remotely in some capacity long term.
For companies, gone are the days when remote work meant a scattered few telecommuters. The data confirms that flexible distributed environments are the new norm.
But this seismic shift comes with intensified cyber risk across three core areas:
Data protection – Sensitive information is now accessed and shared from home networks more vulnerable to snooping.
Threat exposure – Out-of-date personal devices easily compromised introduce new attack vectors back into the corporate environment.
Compliance adherence – Tracking user activity and restricting inappropriate data handling grows more difficult.
Without air-tight remote access security, organizations open themselves up to breaches, IP theft, regulatory non-compliance, credential misuse, malware infiltration, and broad enterprise disruption.
The Widening Gaps in VPN Remote Access Security
Historically organizations largely relied solely on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to enable remote connectivity. VPNs establish encrypted tunnels protecting data in transit between endpoints and internal corporate resources accessed through the network perimeter.
But VPNs have three intrinsic security gaps amplifed by work from home:
No identity verification – VPNs validate devices rather than specific users, enabling account misuse and insider threats.
Internal lateral movement – Wide network access powers risk of malicious actors reaching beyond their allowed data and systems.
No session security – VPNs don’t monitor or govern active usage sessions, leaving data interactions unprotected.
And with vastly more employees now working remotely long-term, the VPN trust model of implicit internal network access actually diminishes rather than tightens security.
Transitioning to Zero Trust and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
Rather than place remote users inside the corporate network, modern architectures instead limit access to only specific applications required. This Zero Trust approach authenticates identity while proxying authorized connectivity to approved apps and resources.
Combined with integrated multilayered security, the result is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) – Gartner’s signature model for the new generation of cloud-native remote access cyber protection.
SASE converges comprehensive security including cloud firewalls, malware sandboxes, data loss prevention, and behavior analytics together with Zero Trust network access control. The fusion not only defends initial access but also governs everything remote staff do after logging in as well.
This eliminates the remote security gaps of VPNs through:
- Strong multifactor user authentication enforcing least-privilege permissions.
- Inline traffic inspection mitigating threats like zero-days before they spread.
- Controlling data handling through granular application-level access policies.
- Ongoing activity monitoring spotting risky behavior indicating credential misuse or insider threats.
Now let‘s examine 10 leading solutions delivering enterprise-grade SASE capabilities scaled for the remote work era.
Top 10 Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Solutions
Here I compare the overall best platforms enabling organizations to securely embrace remote and hybrid work models long term:
| Solution | Deployment Methods | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| LayerX | Cloud-based, browser-centric | Robust SaaS security, rapid deployment, browser-powered access |
| Citrix | Cloud-based, on-premise integration | Comprehensive capabilities, contextual access policies |
| Zscaler | Cloud-native SASE | Optimized cloud access, microsegmentation, least privilege control |
| Venn | Cloud-based with isolated workspaces | Strong personal/work data separation, encrypted storage |
| Checkpoint | Cloud-based with on-premise integration | Fully converged network and endpoint security |
| VMware | Hybrid on-premise/cloud | Consistent policies across data center, cloud, and edge access |
| Cloudflare | Cloud proxy gateway | Generous free tier, simple web app security |
| Chrome Remote Desktop | Browser-based | Basic person-to-person remote control |
| Zoho | Cloud and on-premise | Affordable support-centric access |
| GlobalProtect | Next-gen firewall integration | Advanced threat prevention, compliance |
Now let‘s do a deeper dive on how each platform uniquely addresses today‘s remote connectivity challenges:
1. LayerX
LayerX takes an innovative browser-centric approach spanning identity, device posture, access proxies, and ongoing session security – all delivered simply via cloud.
Key Capabilities:
- Multi-factor authentication validating users
- Device fingerprinting evaluating browser risk
- Just-in-time access proxies restricting applications
- Ongoing session guardrails governing data interactions
The frictionless LayerX browser plugin extends robust Zero Trust controls to all web applications including internal web apps and SaaS. Unlike VPNs, LayerX verifies you then watches what you actually do versus just implicitly trusting internal network access.
Ideal For:
- Securing modern web and SaaS environments
- Rapid cloud deployment with flexible integration
- Filling remote access gaps around identity and web/SASA governance
2. Citrix
Citrix provides an integrated stack spanning endpoint security, access gateways, microapp containers, perimeter protection, and advanced analytics – all managed through a unified console.
Key Capabilities:
- Adaptive multifactor authentication with built-in OTP support
- Context-aware session policies assessing user, device, app, and network risk
- Client-side and cloud-delivered access options
- Converged endpoint security featuring antivirus, firewalls, and sandboxing
Ideal For:
- Large enterprises standardizing on Citrix ecosystem
- Those seeking extensive customization controls
- Companies with significant on-premise infrastructure
3. Zscaler Private Access
Zscaler Private Access (ZPA) leverages Zscaler’s high-performance security cloud to enable simple Zero Trust application access without traditional remote access VPNs.
Key Capabilities:
- App access proxy gateways hiding internal resources
- In-line traffic inspection preventing threats
- Dynamic access policy configuration through cloud console
- Detailed session visibility with extensive logging
Ideal For:
- Cloud-first organizations
- Distributed enterprises needing scalable architecture
- Getting fine-grained control over access
4. Venn
Venn takes a smart workspace approach that isolates access sessions away from local devices using containerization allowing personal and work data separation.
Key Capabilities:
- Microsandboxed secure workspaces on user devices
- Encrypted workspace storage protections
- Granular context-based access controls
- Active policy enforcement governing data flows
Ideal For:
- Securing unmanaged “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) access
- Strict data separation and governance needs
- Fast cloud deployment with limited infrastructure
5. Checkpoint Harmony
Checkpoint Harmony weaves together endpoint, network, and cloud security – all managed through a unified admin console powered by AI analytics.
Key Capabilities:
- Converged identity-based secure network access
- Endpoint hygiene enforcement
- Malware and phishing prevention
- Data loss prevention and encryption
- Continuous risk assessments identifying anomalies
Ideal For:
- Large complex multi-technology environments
- Those using Checkpoint solutions seeking integration
- Complete replacement for legacy remote access VPNs
Learn More About Checkpoint Harmony
6. VMware
VMware’s modern architecture secures access to all applications whether hosted on-premises across hybrid environments or within public clouds.
Key Capabilities:
- Unified policy management across access vectors
- Conditional application access rules
- Device compliance enforcement
- Traffic steering to nearest endpoints
- Detailed logging for fast incident response
Ideal For:
- Heavily regulated industries like finance and healthcare
- Multi-cloud and technology environments
- Those already using VMware SASE components
7. Cloudflare
Cloudflare Access serves as an identity and device posture aware proxy layer in front of apps that assesses context before allowing authenticated, authorized entry.
Key Capabilities:
- Integration with leading identity providers
- User, group, device-based policies
- Real-time query checks enabling just-in-time access
- Reverse proxy for web apps without code changes
Ideal For:
- API gateway and web application security
- Small businesses wanting fast setup
- Getting started with Zero Trust
8. Chrome Remote Desktop
Chrome Remote Desktop enables direct one-to-one remote access between Windows, macOS, and Linux computers using cloud connectivity.
Key Capabilities:
- Easy peer-based screen sharing
- Local file copy between endpoints
- Text chat
- Remote printing
Ideal For:
- Basic person-to-person use cases
- Simple ad hoc remote support
- Individuals seeking no-cost option
Limitations:
- Lacks management controls
- Very limited security mechanisms
- No flexibility beyond 1:1 access
9. Zoho Assist
Zoho Assist focuses on enabling unattended and on-demand remote support connectivity between technicians and end users.
Key Capabilities:
- Remote control and screen sharing
- Reboot connectivity persistence
- Annotation and co-browsing
- Cloud/on-premise deployment models
Ideal For:
- Streamlining help desk troubleshooting
- Small business remote access needs
- Getting started quickly via cloud
Limitations:
- Light IT and security controls
- Mostly one-to-one access architecture
10. GlobalProtect
Palo Alto Network’s GlobalProtect delivers integrated network security and Zero Trust remote access using next-generation firewalls.
Key Capabilities:
- Threat prevention stopping malware, exploits, and data leaks
- Granular access rules assessing user, groups, devices, and content
- Continuous trust assessments maintaining least-privilege
- Detailed logging and visibility
Ideal For:
- Regulated industries needing strict data governance
- Existing Palo Alto Networks customers
- Layered network perimeter and remote access security
Limitations:
- Large hardware requirements
- Long deployments integrating appliances
- Complex to configure fully
Learn More About GlobalProtect
Key Recommendations Summary
What‘s the right secure remote access approach for your unique environment? Here are best practice recommendations based on your firm‘s size and resources.
Early stage and small companies: LayerX and Cloudflare provide the fastest, most affordable SASE foundations to support distributed teams. Their flexible, quick cloud platforms require minimal infrastructure while delivering essential zero trust protections.
Mid-size enterprises: Solutions like Zscaler, Venn, and CheckPoint balance robust capabilities with ease-of-use and rapid rollout. Their turnkey SASE offerings make scaling remote work security smooth even on modest budgets.
Large complex global organizations: For sophisticated needs across many locations, technologies from VMware, Citrix, and Palo Alto Networks facilitate granular policy enforcement, with custom controls across users, apps, and data. Their breadth introduces deployment and learning curve challenges, but unlocks advanced secure connectivity configurations.
All company sizes: LayerX addresses identity and SaaS access gaps complementary to existing infrastructure, bridging remote user verification to providers like Okta. Its lightweight browser-based approach cost-efficiently scales protections to modern web and SaaS app access.
Get Started Securing Your Remote Access
With distributed teams here for the long haul, applying robust software-defined perimeter defenses is a must rather than a nice-to-have. Legacy VPNs cannot provide the full context-aware protections, least-privilege application access, and user security modern remote work requires.
Purpose-built SASE solutions fuse cloud scalability with Zero Trust foundations to keep your organization productive and safe. LayerX‘s rapid browser-based deployment stands out as the fastest way to start shrinking your attack surface by securing risky SaaS and web access.
Visit LayerX.com to experience intelligent browser security firsthand or connect with an expert to assess your custom needs. The future workplace awaits!