30 sept. 2024

Expert picks: Top 5 remote security features

When it comes to remote access, a secure setup is key. Security expert Aaron walks you through five unmissable security features.

  • Connect and support people
  • The average cost of a data breach reached an all-time high of USD 4.88m in 2024—a staggering figure that shows just how important cybersecurity is for any business.

    This means that security should be your number one concern when choosing a remote access solution.

    But what makes remote access software secure? Which security features are non-negotiable? We decided to ask an expert.

    In this article, our Product Security Manager, Aaron, walks you through his top five security features. If you’re a TeamViewer user already, make sure you’re using them all!

    1. Block and allowlist

    The first feature that comes to mind is Block and allowlist, an easy yet effective way to control who can access your devices.

    A blocklist allows connections by default but blocks access for certain users you’ve specified in advance. An allowlist prevents all connections except for those originating from a pre-authorized set of users.

    Using TeamViewer without configuring a block or allowlist is like having a nice lock on your front door but never closing it. You wouldn’t let just anyone into your house—why not apply the same level of protection to your devices?

    2. Two-factor authentication

    Now imagine the door is locked. But what happens if someone steals your key? In the best case, there’s a second layer of defense. This is where two-factor authentication (2FA) comes into play.

    2FA is a security approach that requires users to submit two forms of identification before accessing an account, device, or system. Most commonly, this means the user needs to provide a password and then confirm the request using a different device.

    In TeamViewer, you can enable 2FA to protect user accounts and prevent unauthorized connections to your devices.

    Read more: Enhancing security with two-factor authentication (2FA) in TeamViewer

    3. Easy Access

    If you want to remotely control devices while they’re not being used, i.e., use unattended access, it’s best to avoid passwords altogether. After all, password theft remains one of the most common tactics to hack into corporate networks.

    To grant secure unattended access in TeamViewer, use Easy Access. This assigns access permission for a specific device directly to your account. As a result, you can connect to the device without entering a password; your account itself acts as the key.

    Make sure to set up 2FA for user accounts to ensure optimal protection.

    Read more: How to keep unattended access secure

    There’s more to see

    Discover all of TeamViewer’s security features and learn more about how TeamViewer keeps your business safe.

    Addressing enterprise-level security concerns 

    If your IT fleet is larger and more heterogeneous, you might need even more advanced security features. Here are Aaron’s top features for enterprises.

    4. Auditability and Event Logs

    Having protective measures in place isn’t always enough. Organizations need to monitor their remote activities to rule out any additional risks. In many cases, industry regulations and security protocols even require them to do so.

    That’s why you may need a remote access and support solution with built-in reporting capabilities. TeamViewer logs user activity and records remote sessions automatically. It also makes this data easily accessible to authorized teams and lets you export it in the right format to upload it to your reporting software.

    Circling back to our house analogy, picture this feature as a set of security cameras. Your session recordings and Event Logs act as security footage to help you identify illicit behavior.

    5. Conditional Access

    In larger businesses, rising demand for remote access to corporate assets can make it harder to maintain control over users’ access permissions.

    In the physical world, you might solve this problem with ID badges that grant people access to certain spaces, limit access to working hours, and keep outsiders from entering.

    In TeamViewer, Conditional Access helps you tackle this challenge. Use Conditional Access to define precisely under which conditions (e.g., time, location, device type) someone can access your network. For instance, restrict employee remote access to devices that meet your security standards or grant third-party service providers temporary access to a specified set of devices.

    This will help you stay in control of your device fleet and reduce the administrative workload for your IT teams.

    Read more: What is conditional access?

    Summary

    There you have it: A cybersecurity expert’s top five security features. Look for these features when choosing a remote access solution to help keep your company safe.

    Beyond that, make sure to find a technology partner you can rely on to put your security first. TeamViewer is committed to keeping your data safe and delivers industry-leading security and compliance across all its solutions. BitSight Security Ratings even ranks TeamViewer’s security within the top 1% of the tech industry.

    Finally, don’t forget that cyber threats are constantly evolving. Stay up to date with the latest security news and best practices to ensure continued protection for your business.

    Want to learn more about delivering secure remote access and support? Our remote IT security checklist covers all the essentials.

    Aaron Boshers

    Product Security Manager at TeamViewer


    Aaron is a product security manager for TeamViewer helping customers understand the security of our products and company. Aaron is also a US Navy veteran and a graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, with community involvement with the MCPA and Neon Temple.

    Looking for more expert advice?

    Our team is happy to answer your questions and provide a tailored solution to keep your business safe.