Secure remote access: 7 must-have security features for your business

According to the 2024 Allianz Risk Barometer, security is the number one worry for businesses globally. This position has remained unchanged for the last three years. And it’s only growing in importance with increased ransomware attacks and sophisticated AI.

As a result, a security-first approach should play an important role in choosing a remote access solution. Whatever you choose, it needs flexibility to grow alongside your business while being compatible with a Zero Trust approach.  
 
But what exactly should you be looking out for? Here are some of the key security features you should be using in 2024 to keep you and your business safe. 

1. Multi-factor authentication 

One sure-fire way of delivering secure remote access is with multi-factor authentication (MFA). Simply put, this is an approach that means you can only access an account, device, or system by submitting multiple types of identification.  
 
Here at TeamViewer, we protect your assets with two-factor authentication (2FA), which – you guessed it – requires two kinds of identification. As the below animation shows, this extra layer of verification prevents unauthorized access and protects your assets. 

2. Device security and user management 

With increased remote work, more people are using more devices than ever. To tackle the security concerns this shift brings, you need full control over who has access to specific devices.  
 
With TeamViewer, you can apply special permissions and licenses and assign settings policies to teams, individuals, and devices. The result? Super granular and secure management of your IT fleet.

3. Black screen 

No secure remote access solution is complete without black screen functionality. With TeamViewer, this means that you can set your remote device’s screen to turn black as you access it. This ensures total privacy and security as you access your files.  
 
This function is particularly important if you’re accessing sensitive data – working from your home office, for example, when you need to be sure no one else is looking at your remote screen.

4. Disable remote input

Further boosting your security, you now also have the option of disabling all remote input. Doing this protects the remote device from any manual disruption of your remote session. Meaning you can access your remote devices confident that no accidental touches will break your flow.

Addressing enterprise-level security concerns 

If your IT fleet is larger and more heterogenous, you might need even more security features from your remote access solution. Here are some of the premium features to look out for enterprise. 

5. Conditional access  

Conditional access is an automated security approach. With it, you can grant or deny access to IT assets based on specific conditions or criteria like user credentials, location, time, device, and so on.  

Say for example you have a worker who's usually based in London, and they try to login from Bangalore. In this case, conditional access policies will flag this event for you and demand extra verification.

6. BYOC 

'Bring Your Own Certificate’ (BYOC) policies allow companies to use their own additional digital certificates to secure cloud services and applications. This approach gives companies more control over security standards. It also helps them stay compliant and consistent while using cloud-based resources. 

With TeamViewer’s “bring your own certificate” (BYOC) feature, you can use additional personal certificates to authenticate the devices involved in all TeamViewer connections. In effect, this feature supercharges the authentication of existing TeamViewer certificates – meaning you’re always doubly safe!

7. Single Sign-on (SSO) 

With SSO, users have to authenticate through a preferred, trusted identity provider. This approach boosts your security by reducing the risk of unauthorized access and credential-related breaches. Because one set of credentials means less opportunity for hackers to exploit. 

Summary 

Whether you’re a TeamViewer user or not, security should be your primary concern when looking for a remote access provider. As our CSO Robert Haist put it in his recent article on cybersecurity, it’s all about getting a security mindset. This needs to be encouraged across businesses, so people feel empowered to make secure choices.  
 
However it’s also about making sure that the technology you’re relying on has your security interests at heart. This goes beyond having security features. It means continuously investing and innovating to keep delivering better and better security.  
 
TeamViewer is committed to your safety and adheres to superior levels of security and compliance across all its products. This led BitSight Security Ratings – the world’s most widely adopted security ratings solution – to rank TeamViewer within the top 1% in the tech industry.  
 
Want to learn more about how to boost security in your business? If so, it’s worth checking out our short on-demand webinar, Strengthening Security Foundations: The Role of Enhanced Access and Control.