Remote access computer networks

Remote Access Computer Networks

The general rise of computer technology in society

the evolution of advanced applications for business use

-Remote access computer networking

Remote access is the future of business computing

General Remote Access Principles and Applications

-Desktop sharing, remote access, and virtual private networks

-Business applications: file sharing, conferencing, and remote training

The Rising Importance of Remote Access Computer Networks in Business

-Economic value of remote access applications

-Globalization and green concerns

-Teleworking

Security Considerations and Strategies

-Inherent threats of business computer networks

-Specific remote access-related security concerns

-Management and mitigation of security risks

Introduction and Thesis Statement

Computer technology has evolved extremely rapidly since its introduction for widespread business and consumer use in the early 1990s. In little more than a decade, computer systems have developed tremendously, doubling their processing power and information storage capabilities roughly every year and a half in keeping with Moore's Law describing the continual evolution of microprocessor (Newman, 2009 pp17-18). In the early 1990's, computers in the workplace were used primarily for data processing, storage, and word processing functions; within only a few years after the introduction of the Internet (then called the "World Wide Web"), computer systems were first incorporated into the business communications functions; and shortly thereafter, computers became so ubiquitous in both homes and for business uses that today it is difficult to conceive of modern life without computers.

One of the latest additional capabilities to be added to standard computer systems is the remote networking function that allows multiple users to access and share files, in addition to making remote conferencing, business presentations, teleworking and staff training. Already, it seems relatively certain that remote access computer networking will change the way that modern business is conducted as dramatically as telephonic communications revolutionized business and society almost a century ago.

General Remote Access Principles and Applications

The two principle forms of remote computer networking are desktop sharing and remote access or login (Huang & Frahim, 2008 p42). In principle, the difference is that desktop sharing allows multiple users at different computer terminals or workstations to share files and applications on their respective computers. Shared desktops must both be powered on to permit shared access. Virtual private networks (VPNs) permit multiple users to access and share files and applications but do not provide remote access to specific computer terminals from other hardware (Huang & Frahim, 2008 p43).

Remote access, on the other hand, allows multiple users to share files and applications stored on a virtual network irrespective of whether specific computer terminals are powered on. More importantly, remote access allows multiple users to access files and applications that are stored on a central business (or home) network (Huang & Frahim, 2008 p45). The essential difference is that both desktop sharing and VPNs require the user to have access to computer hardware that is linked to the network.

Conversely, modern remote access computer networks allow users to access their hard drives and local area networks (LANs) remotely from any computer provided they share the same software and security authorizations (Newman, 2009 p 56).

As useful as that function is (particularly for business users on the road), the most important capabilities provided by remote computer access networks involve the remote conferencing, business presentation, and staff training functions that they provide (Huang & Frahim, 2008 pp65-66). Remote conferencing allows business users to conduct group meetings remotely from multiple independent locations. Remote business presentations allow users to access files and applications from any (authorized) computer terminal for the purposes of conducting presentations even without access to specific computer terminals. While that is a considerable convenience for business travelers because it obviates the need to transport their laptops, the real value of this capability is that it also allows multiple users to log in to a shared session of presentation from remote locations.

The other significant use allowed by modern remote access computer networks is in connection to staff training (Huang & Frahim, 2008 p89). That is also a function of the fact that remote access networks allow multiple users in one location to share files and applications on their individual terminals as well as the fact that shared sessions can be conducted among multiple users in completely different offices. Instead of training sessions requiring trainers and trainees to be together in the same office, trainers can conduct sessions from one location for employees in multiple remote locations without requiring coordinated travel necessary for traditional professional training sessions (Huang & Frahim, 2008 pp90-91).

The Rising Importance of Remote Access Computer Networks in Business

Naturally, one of the advantages of using remote computer access networks for presentations, conferences, and staff training is the tremendous cost savings of reducing the travel that was necessary for traditional formats of those essential business functions. The modern era of business globalization only increases the value of that aspect of remote computer access networks, by virtue of the corresponding greater need for business travel and the necessary establishment of business operations in different national and international regions. Similarly, the rising focus on green concerns has increased the importance of reducing unnecessary business travel in connection with addressing the fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions issues that are becoming more and more of a national an international concern.

In that regard especially, remote computer access networks make possible the expansion of teleworking throughout modern business (Huang & Frahim, 2008 p112). It is now anticipated that in the next decade, the next phase pf business processes evolution will emphasize remote teleworking whereby more and more business employees will work from their homes instead of commuting to an office.

Already, many employers in both the private sector and government have begun implementing flexible teleworking schedules to allow certain employees to work from home part of the time. As telework becomes more and more common, it will substantially reduce traffic congestion in major cities, wear and tear on roads and infrastructure, as well as enable meaningful reductions in reliance on fossil fuels and corresponding carbon emissions. Employers will also be able to greatly reduce overhead costs associated with maintaining large office facilities for those employees whose responsibilities can be performed remotely from home via remote access computer networks.

Security Considerations and Strategies

As with other aspects of modern business computing, data security and system access controls are extremely important. In that regard, the conduct of business through remote access networks could potentially increase vulnerability to malicious infiltration. Whereas traditional means of gaining unauthorized access to secure business computer networks typically requires either internal access to the system or some means of exploiting specific software vulnerabilities, remote access networks greatly expand the potential vulnerability of computer networks because no physical access is required to infiltrate the system (Newman, 2009 pp21; 209-211).