The mobility and remote-access boom is undeniable. Rapidly expanding wireless bandwidth coupled with the improving capabilities of laptop computers, cell phones, personal digital assistants and other mobile devices is making it possible for organizations to adopt new means of satisfying the mobile workforce’s demand for anytime, anywhere access to information.

While the move toward mobility is technology powered, it is business driven. Companies of all sizes recognize that remote access has the power to drive productivity, improve customer service and add agility to the corporate business model by allowing users timely and secure access to valuable resources regardless of location.

Although the benefits of remote access are extensive, the trend challenges organizations to maintain an all-inclusive view of who is entering the corporate network and to create a well-controlled but user-friendly environment to access sensitive information. Security is a prime reason that many organizations resist enabling remote access, or confine it to a select group of users.

Opening the infrastructure for remote connection always involves risk. Without proper safeguards, organizations are susceptible to data and identity theft, network abuse, viruses, worms and other security threats.

To reduce the risk many organizations turn to virtual private networks (VPN), which lets users access the company network via the Internet. Before implementing a VPN solution, it is important to consider not only security issues that can occur when users connect remotely, but to evaluate how much and which information your organization is willing to share over a remote connection.

If you are planning to transfer data that is in any way sensitive, be wary of preinstalled VPNs. Though most operating systems have built-in VPN protocols that can be implemented at low cost, you typically get what you pay for, as these protocols often rely on little more than usernames and passwords, usually lack robust authentication and encryption components, and can easily become open doorways that allow hackers to introduce worms and viruses.

Fortunately, vendors specializing in security solutions offer a range of products to secure network resources for remote use while effectively minimizing threats. Though just one option in the remote access arsenal, VPN is mature, proven and, when implemented correctly, a valuable tool in the IT security arsenal. The appeal of VPN technology largely stems from how easily it: