Secure Remote Access for Synology NAS: A Complete Zero-Trust Guide

Overview of Modern Synology Remote Access

We provide organizations with a secure, reliable, and zero-trust approach to accessing Synology NAS devices from anywhere in the world. Traditional VPNs often introduce attack surfaces, route all traffic unnecessarily, and require complex firewall changes. A modern zero-trust mesh network from device to device offers a far more secure and frictionless path for remote management, hybrid-cloud operations, file synchronization, and multi-site collaboration.

This guide outlines a full, enterprise-ready approach to enabling remote access on Synology while maintaining performance, encryption integrity, and compliance standards.

Why Zero-Trust Mesh Networking Outperforms Legacy VPN

Zero-trust networking establishes authenticated, device-level security instead of trusting networks by default. Every Synology NAS, laptop, or server must prove its identity cryptographically before communication is allowed.

Key advantages include:

Encrypted peer-to-peer tunnels without exposing ports.
No port forwarding, reducing attack surfaces on your firewall.
Consistent access even behind carrier-grade NAT or complex ISP setups.
Granular ACL rules that control exactly who can reach NAS interfaces or shared folders.
High-performance routing optimized for file operations and backup transfers.

Preparing Your Synology NAS for Zero-Trust Access

A secure configuration starts with proper system preparation:

Update DSM and Core Services

Keep DSM updated to ensure the latest kernel patches, OpenSSL libraries, and security hardening improvements are active.

Enable HTTPS and Certificate Validation

Use either a Let’s Encrypt certificate or a trusted internal CA. Enforce HTTPS redirection for DSM and major apps like File Station, Drive Server, Hyper Backup, and Active Backup.

Harden Built-In Security Settings

Enable Auto Block for repeated failed logins.
Activate Account Protection.
Configure 2-factor authentication (2FA) for administrator accounts.
Restrict SSH to key-pair authentication or disable SSH if not needed.

Deploying a Zero-Trust Mesh Agent on Synology

Most mesh networking solutions require installing a lightweight package on the DSM. This agent establishes outgoing encrypted tunnels, meaning you never open ports on your router.

Installation Steps

Download the appropriate Synology .spk package for your NAS architecture (x86_64, ARMv8, etc.).
Go to Package Center → Manual Install.
Upload the file and grant the required permissions.
Authenticate the NAS within your mesh management dashboard.
Assign ACL rules defining which users/devices can reach:
- DSM Web Interface
- Synology Drive
- Shared folders
- Hyper Backup / Synology C2 endpoints
- Custom Docker containers

Once approved, the NAS appears as a secure node inside your zero-trust network.

Creating Secure Access Control Lists (ACL)

Access control is the foundation of zero-trust. Instead of broad network tunnels, create precise reachability rules:

Admins → Full access to DSM + SSH
Employees → Synology Drive + specific shared folders
Backup servers → Hyper Backup ports only
Contractors → Time-limited read-only folders

Each rule is identity-bound, encrypted, and fully auditable.

Remote DSM and File Station Through Encrypted Tunnels

Remote DSM access becomes instant once identity is verified. No firewall changes required. Users enjoy:

Direct access to the DSM web UI
Quick file operations through File Station
Stable performance even across continents
Zero port exposure to the internet

You eliminate brute-force attacks, bot scanning, and credential spraying.

Multi-Site Synology Mesh for Branch Offices

Zero-trust networking allows multiple NAS units across locations to communicate as if on the same LAN.

Benefits

Block-level replication between NAS devices
Cross-site Drive Server synchronization
Centralized surveillance storage replication
Floating IP-free architecture

This ensures consistent cross-office operations without dedicated MPLS links or costly SD-WAN solutions.

Integrating Synology with Zero-Trust for Backup and Disaster Recovery

Synology Hyper Backup

Backups reach remote NAS units securely using private, encrypted tunnels.

Active Backup Suite

Remote endpoints authenticate through identity keys, enabling full PC, server, and SaaS backups without exposing the backup server.

Synology C2 Cloud

Cloud connectivity runs over secured TLS 1.3 channels, while local-to-cloud traffic is additionally protected by mesh routing where supported.

Auditing, Monitoring, and Compliance

Your mesh dashboard provides full visibility:

Connected devices
Historical authentication logs
Allowed/denied connection attempts
ACL rule audits
Endpoint posture checks

This ensures compliance with SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and FINRA requirements.

Performance Optimization and Traffic Routing

Zero-trust networks dynamically choose the fastest route:

Direct peer-to-peer connections when possible
Stable DERP relays for NAT-challenged networks
Intelligent packet inspection for file-transfer workloads

This offers fast Drive sync, quick SSH sessions, and sharp DSM responsiveness.

Best Practices for Enterprise Security

Implement Identity-Based 2FA Across All Users

Require OTP or hardware keys for every identity.

Enforce Device Posture Checks

Block outdated or insecure devices automatically.

Create Least-Privilege ACL Rules

Avoid broad access; refine rules per team.

Schedule Periodic Key Rotation

Automate key regeneration for maximum security.

Troubleshooting and Operational Tips

Common Issues & Fixes

NAS unreachable: Device may be offline or blocked by ACL.
Slow transfers: Check compression settings and direct vs. relay routing.
DSM login failure: Confirm HTTPS enforcement and certificate validity.

We provide a complete, secure, and high-performance method for accessing and managing Synology NAS devices across any environment. A zero-trust mesh network eliminates port exposure, simplifies remote administration, accelerates collaboration, and ensures data integrity, all while delivering strong encryption and fine-grained identity control.

This approach future-proofs your Synology environment for both small businesses and enterprise deployments, ensuring continuous availability, security, and compliance across globally distributed teams.

About EpisTechnology

EpisTechnology is a specialized Synology consulting and data-protection partner dedicated to helping businesses build secure, scalable, and compliant IT environments. We design hybrid-cloud ecosystems, implement identity-driven backup strategies, deploy enterprise-grade Synology solutions, and provide ongoing monitoring and support. Our team ensures every Synology NAS operates with maximum performance, airtight security, and seamless business continuity, whether you manage a single device or a multi-site infrastructure.