A medium-sized survey company stores sensitive government data that is used as part of a study. A security requirement from the government requires that all sensitive data must remain stored at the company’s head office. All staff and the head office network have undergone a security audit and have received clearance to store and access the data.

The application that uses the sensitive data can be installed on any computer and can access data from local hard drives or a shared folder location. The application and the data must be accessible to a remote branch office with 30 users, traveling staff using dial-up connectivity, traveling staff using public wired/wireless Internet connectivity, and specific users operating from home.
What solution would you recommend to allow all staff to run the application with government data and still meet the government security requirements? The solution must be proposed to the government auditor for review.

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To meet the government security requirements and provide access to the sensitive data for all staff in different locations, I would recommend implementing a Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution. Here's how you can propose this solution to the government auditor:

1. Examine the current network infrastructure: First, assess the current network infrastructure at the head office and ensure that it meets the necessary security standards. This includes firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other security measures to protect the sensitive data.

2. Establish a secure VPN connection: Implement a VPN solution that allows remote users (branch office, traveling staff, and home users) to securely connect to the head office network. This can be done by deploying a VPN gateway at the head office and configuring VPN clients on the devices used by the remote users.

3. Authentication and access controls: Implement strong authentication mechanisms for VPN access, such as multi-factor authentication, to ensure that only authorized personnel can establish a connection. Additionally, enforce strict access controls within the VPN to restrict user permissions based on their roles and responsibilities.

4. Encryption and data protection: Enable end-to-end encryption for the VPN tunnel using protocols like IPsec or SSL/TLS. This ensures that all data transmitted between the remote users and the head office network is securely encrypted and protected from interception.

5. Secure remote access policies: Define and enforce strict remote access policies to govern how and when the sensitive data can be accessed. This includes restricting access based on user roles, implementing session timeouts, and enforcing data transfer limitations.

6. Training and awareness: Conduct regular training sessions to educate all staff members about the importance of security practices, such as choosing strong passwords, avoiding phishing attempts, and understanding the risks associated with accessing sensitive data remotely.

7. Continuous monitoring and audits: Implement robust monitoring and auditing mechanisms to track VPN access and identify any anomalies or potential security breaches. Regularly review and update the security policies and procedures, based on the results of these audits.

By implementing a secure VPN solution, you can ensure that all staff members can run the application and access the government data while adhering to the security requirements. However, it is important to have this solution reviewed and approved by the government auditor to ensure compliance with their specific security standards.