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Authentication    Precautions   Ease of Use Considerations
Authentication Points   User Validation Authentication for Remote Access
Password Protection   Location Validation and Call Level Security
Accounting   Firewalls

Firewalls

Firewalls are another method for reinforcing remote access security. As their name implies, firewalls can be used to restrict access between different areas within a firm's network. Firewalls are often used to help ensure separation between the public and private components of a company's computing resources, e.g., the public information found on an external Web site, versus the other information residing on an internal file server. Firewalls have a number of other applications, such as providing additional hurdles in the event that a break in authentication security occurs, or providing filters that let certain users and/or specific data pass through the firewall on a case-by-case basis.
A firewall is a dedicated server that acts as the perimeter defense on your network; it must be configured for every entry point or gateway between the outside world and your internal network. Firewalls play a key role in helping to establish a set of authorization and authentication rules. These rules help form the framework of your security policy, by defining who has access to your protected network, what they have access to and when and how they have access to it. User authentication is required for access to your network from outside the firewall.
The best network security in the world won't help if unauthorized users get physical access to your firewall, or if a user discloses a password or IP address. Although firewalls can be constructed from a variety of technologies, application-level firewalls have proven to be the most secure. Integrating the firewall security system with a remote access system helps to ensure that all external links are secure.

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