Remote Access Disadvantages

Remote access technologies like Virtual Private Networks (VPN) allow individuals to access a private company network from a computer anywhere in the world. There are many advantages to remote access. For example, remote access is more convenient for employees working from home and those who do most of their work while travelling. There are some disadvantages, however.

Remote access poses a range of security risks. For example, you can infect your company's network with a virus if your computer has one. Remote access networks are more susceptible to privacy invasion. When you use them, you put company information at risk of being stolen by hackers.

Remote access networks are not as reliable and efficient as closed networks. Closed networks run over wires, whereas remote networks run over the Internet. As VPNInfo.com points out, the "availability and performance of an organisation's wide-area VPN (over the Internet in particular) depends on factors largely outside of [the VPNs] control." Any irregularities in Internet service will compromise a remote access connection. For example, you will not be able to access a VPN if your Internet connection fails because of a poor signal or electrical malfunction.

Remote access networks can be very slow. If a number of people access a remote network at the same time, the entire network will lag. If a few of those people use the network to do something that requires a lot of bandwith, like watching a movie online while also trying to complete a project for an upcoming presentation, the network will be even slower. Uploads, downloads and data transfers all take longer to complete on a remote access network. VPN users accessing the network via a Wi-Fi connection are especially likely to experience delayed data processing. Wi-Fi servers are often slower than wired servers.