Certified: The CISSP Prepcast

Welcome to The Bare Metal Cyber CISSP Prepcast. This series helps you prepare for the ISC squared CISSP exam with focused explanations and practical context.
In this episode, we’ll explore Virtual Private Networks, remote access, and tunneling protocols. These are critical technologies that enable users to securely connect to organizational systems and data from remote locations. In a world where remote work, distributed teams, and global operations are the norm, securing communication channels across public networks is no longer optional—it is essential. Whether employees are working from home, partners are accessing cloud-hosted resources, or branch offices are communicating with headquarters, secure remote access and tunneling mechanisms must be in place.
Let’s begin with the importance of Virtual Private Networks and remote access. A Virtual Private Network, often abbreviated as V P N, allows an organization to create a secure tunnel through a public network such as the Internet. It achieves this by encrypting data and encapsulating it within a virtual tunnel, making it appear as if the data is traveling through a private channel. This approach ensures confidentiality and integrity, even when data traverses untrusted networks.
Remote access extends an organization's internal resources to users outside the traditional network perimeter. This could be employees working from home, business travelers accessing internal tools, or contractors collaborating on specific projects. With remote access, users connect to applications, file systems, and services from any location using their approved devices.
Secure remote access is important because, without it, sensitive data could be intercepted in transit, credentials could be compromised, or unauthorized users could gain entry into internal networks. Implementing effective remote access controls reduces risk, supports compliance with privacy regulations, and enhances operational agility. Understanding these mechanisms helps you design secure, resilient, and scalable environments that support modern business needs.
Now let’s examine the types and technologies behind Virtual Private Networks. Two common V P N types are Remote Access Virtual Private Networks and Site-to-Site Virtual Private Networks.
Remote Access Virtual Private Networks are designed for individual users who connect to the organization’s internal network from outside locations. These connections are often initiated through a software client installed on the user’s device. Once authenticated, the client establishes a secure tunnel to the organization’s V P N server, allowing access to internal systems and data as if the user were physically on the network.
Site-to-Site Virtual Private Networks, on the other hand, connect entire networks to each other. These are often used to link branch offices to a corporate headquarters, or to connect separate data centers. The connection is established between V P N gateways—typically routers or firewalls—that encrypt and decrypt data traffic between the sites.
Both types of V P N rely on encryption, authentication, and tunneling protocols to ensure secure communications. Some of the most widely used protocols include I P Sec, Secure Sockets Layer or Transport Layer Security, Open V P N, and WireGuard. I P Sec operates at the network layer and is commonly used for both remote and site-to-site connections. Secure Sockets Layer and Transport Layer Security operate at the transport layer and are often used for web-based remote access V P N portals. Open V P N and WireGuard are newer, open-source solutions praised for their flexibility, speed, and strong encryption.
When properly implemented, these technologies protect against common threats such as packet sniffing, man-in-the-middle attacks, and session hijacking. They also help organizations meet regulatory standards that require encrypted communications and controlled access.
Let’s now take a closer look at the security fundamentals behind remote access.
Secure remote access is not just about the tunnel itself—it’s about validating who the user is, ensuring the integrity of the device being used, and controlling what resources can be accessed once the connection is established. This process begins with strong user authentication. Multi-factor authentication should be a default requirement for all remote access. This means users must provide at least two forms of identification, such as a password and a one-time code from an authenticator app.
Device validation is equally important. Organizations should implement policies to verify that only approved and secure devices can connect. Endpoint security tools can be used to check the health of a device, ensuring it has up-to-date antivirus software, proper patch levels, and secure configurations before access is granted.
V P N concentrators and secure gateways manage and enforce these access controls. They act as the entry point for all remote connections, applying policies, verifying credentials, and establishing encrypted tunnels. These devices or services must themselves be securely configured, regularly updated, and closely monitored.
Monitoring and logging remote access sessions is essential. By analyzing access logs, organizations can detect anomalies such as unusual login times, unfamiliar geographic locations, or unexpected resource usage. These insights help in early detection of compromised accounts or insider threats.
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Now let’s shift to tunneling protocols, which are used to securely encapsulate and transmit data across networks.
A tunneling protocol is designed to wrap one type of network traffic within another. This is done to protect the data and ensure it reaches its destination securely. Tunneling protocols are a fundamental part of any V P N solution.
Some of the most common tunneling protocols include Generic Routing Encapsulation, or G R E, which creates tunnels for transporting packets across networks. Internet Protocol Security, or I P Sec, provides authentication and encryption at the network layer and is one of the most robust tunneling protocols in use today. Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol, or P P T P, was one of the first widely used protocols, but is now considered outdated and insecure. Layer Two Tunneling Protocol, or L two T P, is often combined with I P Sec for added security. Secure Sockets Layer and Transport Layer Security are used in SSL-based tunnels, especially in web browser-based access scenarios.
Each of these protocols serves different purposes and offers varying levels of encryption, authentication, and configuration complexity. Selecting the right protocol depends on your organizational needs, performance requirements, and regulatory obligations.
Now let’s turn to implementation. To deploy effective V P N and remote access systems, begin with detailed documentation. This includes configuration baselines, authentication policies, tunneling protocols, access control rules, and monitoring procedures.
Update firmware and software regularly. V P N appliances and software clients must be patched frequently to eliminate known vulnerabilities. Delayed updates leave the organization exposed to exploits targeting outdated components.
Use secure management protocols. Avoid using Telnet or unencrypted web interfaces to manage V P N infrastructure. Instead, rely on Secure Shell and web interfaces protected with Transport Layer Security.
Configure access controls tightly. Not all users should have access to the same resources. Use role-based access control to limit users to only the applications, systems, and data they need.
Conduct regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments. This helps validate that V P N endpoints are not exposed to the public, that credentials cannot be brute-forced, and that encryption protocols are not misconfigured.
Lastly, ensure that remote access sessions can be terminated remotely and that inactive sessions are closed automatically after a period of inactivity. This limits the risk of abandoned sessions being hijacked.
Let’s close with strategies for continuous improvement.
Security for remote access and V P N systems is not a one-time configuration—it’s a dynamic process. New threats emerge constantly, user behavior evolves, and infrastructure changes. That means your remote access strategies must evolve too.
Perform incident analyses. If an account is compromised or unusual activity is detected, review how the connection was established, what protocols were used, and whether any gaps in authentication or configuration contributed to the incident.
Audit your systems. Make sure V P N logs are complete, that encryption is current, and that devices connecting remotely meet organizational standards.
Collaborate across teams. Network engineers, application owners, and cybersecurity professionals must work together to design secure access pathways and respond to alerts.
Train users. Most breaches begin with a user mistake. Teach employees about V P N best practices, the importance of multi-factor authentication, and how to recognize phishing attempts that could lead to credential theft.
Update your policies and procedures. As technology changes and regulatory requirements evolve, your remote access policies must reflect those shifts. Review them regularly, and ensure leadership, legal, and security teams are aligned.
Thank you for joining the CISSP Prepcast by Bare Metal Cyber. Visit baremetalcyber.com for additional episodes, comprehensive CISSP study resources, and personalized certification support. Deepen your understanding of Virtual Private Networks, Remote Access, and Tunneling Protocols, and we'll consistently support your journey toward CISSP certification success.