There are two major camps for businesses that need to be able to access their information from anywhere. Remote desktop access was the only solution for the longest time, and many businesses still strictly adhere to it. Then, cloud based computing came along and changed the way everyone handled access. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but in the end, only one solution will reasonably be able to provide everything a secure business needs.
How Remote Desktop Works
Remote desktop essentially means that everyone given access will be able to use a VPN to access an entire computer from anywhere. Everything that computer can access via the network, including the files stored on the actual machine itself, will be accessible when remote desktop is utilized.
Using remote desktop can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s great when an IT professional or computer repair specialist needs to be able to maintain or check business computers. VPN access helps to make that connection safe and secure. It’s an ideal way to troubleshoot problems when all the people involved cannot necessarily be in the same room.
That having been said, remote desktop does have some major downsides. It’s much harder to control who can access one – anyone with access to the machine thereby has access to anything that machine can access. Control of information is much harder. If that individual’s remote login credentials were to become compromised, so too would everything within reach of the desktop’s network. Many companies perceive this as a substantial security risk.
How Cloud Based Computing Works
Cloud based computing via VPN provides employees with access to information, rather than to an entire machine. Information is securely stored via the cloud, and management sets permissions. It’s easy to control who has access to what files. In the event that anything goes awry, it’s easier to contain an incident. Whitelisted VPN users can utilize whitelisted dedicated VPN IP addresses to gain access to the things they need – and only the things they need.
Cloud based computing is the ideal solution for controlled remote collaboration. If several people need to be working on the same project from different locations, special permissions can be set for that core group to have access to the files needed for that project. Permissions don’t need to be set to allow those users access to everything on the cloud, reducing the risk of data compromise when employees work remotely.
Many businesses have made the switch to the cloud based computing method because of the security it offers, the control over access of information, and how cost effective the solution is. Cloud based computing and VPNs are ubiquitous and affordable, and every business is bound to find an ideal cloud based solution for their remote working needs.
Conclusion: Cloud Based Solutions with Business VPN Security
Too many things can go wrong with an overreliance on remote desktop access. Since cloud based computing through a business VPN offers the highest quality of security and controlled access, most businesses will find that going the cloud route is the best solution for their remote employees.
