Mobile devices and desktop computers access the internet via a VPN connection to an organisation’s internet gateway rather than via a direct connection to the internet.
Topic
Connecting mobile devices and desktop computers to the internet
Applicable to
all
History
Priority
should not
Sep 2023
Mobile devices and desktop computers access the internet via a VPN connection to an organisation’s internet gateway rather than via a direct connection to the internet.
The existing control relating to users of mobile devices accessing the internet via a Virtual Private Network connection to their organisation’s secure internet gateway was amended to include desktop computers when used as part of working from home arrangements.
Dec 2021
Mobile devices access the internet via a VPN connection to an organisation’s internet gateway rather than via a direct connection to the internet.
Miscellaneous changes were made to rationale and security controls throughout the publication. This included:
• A review from the Using the Information Security Manual chapter through to the Guidelines for Media chapter.
• Security controls suitable for all audiences have been identified with the ‘All’ applicability marking while additional security controls suitable for just government audiences have been identified with the O, P, S and TS applicability markings.
• Security controls suitable for specific classifications have been amended to include their classification(s) in the wording of the security controls to reduce the reliance on applicability markings to confer suitability.
• Tables in security controls have been converted into prose to allow for inclusion in the SSP annex template and the XML list of security controls.
• The use of ‘official’ and ‘highly classified’ terminology has been replaced with specific classifications to remove ambiguity.
• Security controls relating to high assurance ICT equipment have had their applicability narrowed to ‘S, TS’ reflecting that they are intended for the protection of SECRET and TOP SECRET systems and data.
2015
Agencies should ensure that web browsing from a mobile device is through the agency’sInternet gateway rather than via a direct connection to the Internet.
2010
Agencies should not allow mobile devices to connect to the Internet except when temporarily connectingto facilitate the establishment of a VPN connection to a system.