How to Boost Cloud Security and Productivity Through IP Whitelisting

Do you know that 129 million Internet users became victims of phishing attacks last year? Or that ransomware attacks skyrocketed by 543% in Q4 2019? Or that every 39 seconds a hacker attacks an Internet user? Yes, all of this is true, and at some point, that user can be you.

That’s why we, the PureVengers, want you to stay secure online and enhance cloud security on all devices. You never know when a hacker or ransomware attack might hit you so you must have some security in place. 

In this article, we are going to discuss IP Whitelisting and how important it is for SMEs and startups to maximize their online security instead of managing breaches. Our motto is “Better be safe than sorry” and we want to help you keep your business data safe before someone tries to hijack your private information. Plus, we will share how you can whitelist an IP address and the benefits of whitelisting.  

What is IP Whitelisting? 

Best Answer: The process of delegating a static IP address to any team member and giving them access to restricted resources is known as IP Whitelisting. A network administrator or a person controlling the admin panel can allow certain IP addresses access to controlled resources in this way.

And yes, this is the exact opposite of blacklisting IPs and it is much easier since the whitelist is usually a lot smaller. All you have to do is whitelist an IP address and automatically filter out untrusted resources. Whitelisting ranges from commercial, non-commercial, advertising, LAN, firewall, and network.

The US must have a real plan in place to prevent #Ransomware attacks on our election system.

We can begin by ensuring that all state & local entities finally comply w/the @NISTcyber std. of using anti-malware software based on whitelisting. #DHS @pcmatic https://t.co/yQzKukT0Xv

— Van Hipp (@VanHipp) August 3, 2020

IP Whitelisting Benefits: 

In this section, we will share a few benefits of why you must consider whitelisting IP addresses of all connected devices. So without further ado, let’s start:

• Boost Cloud Security 

You can easily enhance system security after filtering out unknown IP addresses and allowing access to trusted resources. In this way, you can block non-whitelisted IP addresses and keep the internal eco-system free of intruders. 

Scenario 1: You might be wondering how exactly whitelisting IP addresses work! Imagine this… a hacker stole your client’s credentials and tried to log in. But if you have whitelisted his or her IP address, then the hacker might find it difficult to log in to the system network. This means even if someone has leaked your credentials, a hacker has to connect from a whitelist IP address. In this scenario, hackers need both credentials and IP addresses. 

• Ease of Remote Access

Remote access has become more important as statistics show that 30% of people are remotely working in 2020 (and we legit think that number tripled since the pandemic!). This means companies have to take extra security measures to ensure employees are using a safe network at home. To do this, most have shifted to a Virtual Private Network, otherwise known as VPN, or IP Whitelisting. You can protect the cloud network from ransomware attacks after whitelisting IP addresses. 

Scenario 2: If a team member leaves the company, all you need to do is remove their IP address from the whitelist so they don’t access remote resources. This can make it harder for him to connect to the network once again. 

• Enhance Work Productivity 

Whitelisting IP addresses can boost employee productivity because they are using secure devices at work. In this way, employees will only use secure and trusted websites while browsing the Internet, and this will mitigate the risks of malicious attacks. In short, you are preventing the risks of malware attacks by whitelisting all IP addresses on the network. 

Scenario 3: At one point or another, your devices will be on the verge of a malicious attack whether or not it is related to your authentication system. However, hackers can’t access your data if you are blocking all Internet traffic besides whitelisting IP addresses. 

Alternatives to IP Whitelisting

You can rather get a dedicated IP address for security and better remote access to all devices. If you have no clue about static IP addresses, then read about it here in our detailed blog post. Static IP addresses are best-suited for devices that require 24/7 access. For instance, you might need a static IP address if your device is a web or FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server. This can help employees to easily access and install files whenever they want. 

On the other hand, if your device or computer has a dynamic IP address then it can change. Fortunately, you can get in touch with your Internet service provider to request a static IP address, though this may incur an additional cost. Or you can get a static IP address through a special service provider, such as a VPN provider. 

How Secure is IP Whitelisting?

Whitelisting IPs can benefit you, but it has a few problems. First, while this is rare, users can spoof your IP address. Second, if a hacker penetrates the main workstation, then he or she can manipulate it to destroy your system network.

You must consult a professional if you are using an unprotected server and need to put security protocols in place. The easiest way is to use a business VPN for remote employees so you can protect all private data, team members, and network at all times.

Why Use a Dedicated IP VPN Instead? 

Although Whitelisting IP addresses seems a plausible solution for better security, you can consider using a dedicated IP VPN or business VPN to protect your private data. VPNs are specifically designed to enhance security, allow remote access, and protect your private resources on the Internet. If boosting online security is your single most important problem then we suggest getting a VPN for all your employees. 

FAQs

1. Why do we whitelist IP addresses?

We whitelist IP addresses to block unwanted connections on a private network. Like email whitelists, application whitelists can keep you safe from malicious attacks and threats. 

2. Is IP Whitelisting effective?

Maybe, but we, the PureVengers, won’t suggest relying entirely on Whitelisting IPs. It is effective for a few network members but may not be as scalable  for a large number of connections, especially in companies that have hundreds of employees. When someone joins or quits, you’re constantly updating that list and finding their IP in a sea of numbers. 

Ultimately, organizations that have once relied on IP whitelisting will find that a VPN option will serve their business purposes better, since it’s far more scalable and the onus falls on the end user and not on the network administrator to keep updating a really-hard-to-manage (and totally long) IP whitelist. 

One VPN, many users, or one whitelist, many IPs. Ask any company IT person and they’ll tell you what their long term solution was. 

3. What is the main function of a whitelist? 

Consider whitelisting as a filtration system in which it allows only trusted resources through a door and blocks every other bit of incoming traffic. Many SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and startups use whitelisting to secure their connections.

Protect your network with a security layer…

We hope now you know how whitelisting IP addresses work and whether or not it is best for your online business. If you need further information on whitelisting IPs or getting a VPN, then reach out to our support team via the Live Chat option. 

More from PureVPN: 

👉 The easiest way to whitelist IPs for remote workers

👉 How to whitelist the sales force using our guide