Leveraging Cloudflare Zero Trust to access internal resources such as Synology NAS

by | Apr 20, 2023 | Tech Tips

In today’s world, it is becoming increasingly important to have secure access to internal resources like Synology NAS from remote locations. With Cloudflare’s Zero Trust Access and Tunnels, accessing internal resources has become easier and more secure. In this blog, we will discuss how to access internal resources like a Synology NAS by leveraging Cloudflare Zero Trust Access and Tunnels.

What is Cloudflare Zero Trust Access?

Cloudflare Zero Trust Access is a service that provides secure access to internal resources without exposing them to the internet. It works by verifying the identity of the user and the device before granting access to the resource. This verification is done through a set of policies that are defined by the administrator. These policies can be based on a range of criteria such as user identity, device type, location, and more.

How to set up Cloudflare Zero Trust Access?

Setting up Cloudflare Zero Trust Access is a simple process. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Sign up for Cloudflare Access: The first step is to sign up for Cloudflare Access. You can do this by going to the Cloudflare website and creating an account.
  2. Create an Access Policy: Once you have signed up, you can create an Access Policy. This policy will define who can access your internal resources and under what conditions. You can set up policies based on user identity, device type, location, and more.
  3. Set up your Internal Resources: The next step is to set up your internal resources. This includes configuring your Synology NAS and other devices that you want to access.
  4. Connect to Cloudflare: Once you have set up your internal resources, you need to connect them to Cloudflare. This is done through Cloudflare Tunnels.

What are Cloudflare Tunnels?

Cloudflare Tunnels is a service that allows you to securely connect your internal resources to Cloudflare. It works by creating an encrypted connection between your internal resources and Cloudflare’s edge network. This connection is established using a lightweight client that runs on your local machine.

How to set up Cloudflare Tunnels?

Setting up Cloudflare Tunnels is also a simple process. Below are the steps easy to follow, or, if you already have a Synology NAS, you can check out our other post about setting up a Cloudflare tunnel using a docker container on a Synology NAS.

  1. Install the Cloudflare Tunnel Client: The first step is to install the Cloudflare Tunnel Client on your local machine. You can download the client from the Cloudflare website.
  2. Configure the Cloudflare Tunnel Client: Once you have installed the client, you need to configure it. This includes setting up the hostname of your internal resource and defining the local port that the client will use to connect to the resource.
  3. Start the Cloudflare Tunnel: The final step is to start the Cloudflare Tunnel. This will create an encrypted connection between your internal resource and Cloudflare.

Conclusion

Accessing internal resources like a Synology NAS has become easier and more secure with Cloudflare Zero Trust Access and Tunnels. By leveraging these services, you can ensure that only authorized users can access your resources and that they are accessing them through a secure, encrypted connection. If you’re looking for a way to access your internal resources from remote locations, we highly recommend giving Cloudflare Zero Trust Access and Tunnels a try.