Control Panel
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Control Panel
- 8 Minutes to read
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March 30, 2024
Feature Improvements
Deep Packet Inspection (Lite)
We’re excited to announce the latest improvement to our Deep Packet Inspection (Lite). It’s now possible to block access to 400 ports and protocols, giving you an unprecedented level of security customization.
March 20, 2024
New Features
Active Session Timeout
We've introduced more extensive session duration controls. Prior to this update, only Idle Session Timeout was adjustable, where users would be logged out after a period of inactivity. The new feature, Active Session Timeout, allows for the specification of a maximum session duration.
It means a user will be automatically logged out after the predetermined time has elapsed, regardless of user activity. This enhancement offers a more robust and customizable security posture, aligning with varied operational needs.
February 29, 2024
Feature Improvements
Location-based policy
In our effort to enhance Device Posture Security capabilities, we're introducing location specific policies. These policies empower clients to set access rules based on a user's geographical location. Increased network visibility enables administrators to pinpoint users attempting to log in from restricted countries and facilitates prompt communication with those users. Moreover, for organizations utilizing the Device Posture Security (DPS) blocking capability, administrators now possess the capability to promptly block access for accounts originating in countries that have been designated as banned or restricted.
Browser Extension self-service
We're rolling out an update for Browser Extension that empowers Organization Administrators to activate the agent without contacting customer support. The process for enabling Browser Extension is now fully automated, allowing for quick and effortless activation directly from the Network tab in the Control Panel.
December 14, 2023
Feature Improvements
Always On VPN per teams
Always On VPN now has a more flexible and granular way of enabling the feature. Both Organization Admins and Members can enable Always On VPN, but with our latest update, Organization Admins can now enforce VPN use for selected teams rather than the entire organization.
This approach aligns perfectly with the diverse needs of different teams, offering a more customized and efficient experience.
November 13, 2023
New Features
Server usage analytics
Organization Admins can now monitor how Members use NordLayer through the Insights page on Control Panel. The page helps Admins enhance data analytics, spot anomalies, and ensure seamless server usage, as well as advise Members, troubleshoot, and audit.
The Insights page currently has two dashboards: Protocol usage and Active sessions.
The Protocol usage dashboard shows the connections per protocol (including Browser Extension) in a time range. This helps Organization Admins make better, data-driven decisions.
The Active sessions dashboard shows the number of connections to different dedicated servers in a time range. This helps to spot unusual behavior like connections in after hours or to backup or side gateways, as well as unexpected incidents.
October 4, 2023
New Features
Cloud Firewall
Cloud Fireall is live!
Organization Admins can now configure firewall rules for their Virtual Private Gateways to help protect hybrid infrastructure and resources against internal and external threats.
Cloud Firewall is currently available only on the NordLayer desktop and mobile apps. The feature is not compatible with NordLayer Browser Extension.
Learn more here.
New Features
Device Posture Security (prevent access with non-compliant devices)
Preventing access to non-compliant devices with Device Security Posture is live!
From now on, Organization Admins can prevent access to the network for non-compliant devices. Organization Admins can set the following rules:
- Device must be trusted by Organization Admin;
- Device must have a preferred operating system and its version;
- Device must have the latest NordLayer application version;
- Device must not be jailbroken or rooted;
- Device must contain a specific file.
The new feature is also supported both on the NordLayer apps and NordLayer Browser Extension.
April 25, 2023
Feature Improvements
JumpCloud SSO
JumpCloud SSO is live!
All Members can now authenticate their identity via JumpCloud SSO.
Other available SSO providers include Google, OKTA, Azure AD, and OneLogin. You can set up SSO in the Control Panel or in the NordLayer app.
March 30, 2023
New Features
Team Administrator role
Organization Admins can now assign a new Team Administrator role to Members.
Team Administrators have the ability to add and remove certain people from the teams they administer. This makes it easier and more efficient to manage teams, especially larger ones.
March 1, 2023
New Features
Download invoices
Getting invoices just got easier!
From now on, Organization Admins can download invoices anytime straight from the Control Panel without contacting our Customer Support team.
To download your invoices, go to Control Panel → Subscription → Payments history, select the invoice you want to download and click on Download invoice.
Invoices for January 2023 and earlier can be accessed by contacting our 24/7 Customer Support team.
January 9, 2023
Feature Improvements
Control Panel navigation update
Navigating the Control Panel just got easier!
The improved Control Panel design offers an enhanced user experience with more intuitive navigation, making it easier to find what you’re looking for.
For example, Organization Admins and Members will notice a new top navigation bar, which now features the user profile, the help section, and subscription information.
The left-side navigation bar has been upgraded with new icons, animations, and a clearly defined organization title and ID.
November 9, 2022
New Features
Device Posture Monitoring (Beta)
Device Posture Monitoring (Beta) is live!
Organization Admins can now check and evaluate devices according to predefined security rules and get notified about non-compliant devices.
The feature allows Organization Admins to identify new devices in the network, check the device’s operating system, its version, and whether the supported NordLayer app version is used.
Organization Admins can also check if the device is not jailbroken or rooted and whether it contains specific files.
You can enable and configure Device Posture Monitoring (Beta) by going to Control Panel → Device security → Profiles.
October 19, 2022
New Features
Idle session timeout
Idle session timeout is live!
Organization admins can now control how long users can stay idle (device in sleep mode or turned off) before being asked to re-login to the NordLayer app and the Control Panel.
The idle session timeout setting minimizes the risk of unauthorized access to your virtual private gateways and company resources if a user is idle for an extended period of time.
The new feature applies to the NordLayer application on all desktop and mobile operating systems and can be applied separately for the app and the Control Panel.
You can set the idle session timeout by going to Control Panel → Security configurations.
September 22, 2022
New Features
SCIM User Provisioning with Okta and Azure
SCIM User Provisioning with Okta and Azure just got smoother!
Organization Admins can now set up SCIM User Provisioning without contacting our customer service.
To enable and configure SCIM User Provisioning, go to Control Panel → Settings → Login methods → Access management.
Learn how to set up SCIM User Provisioning with Okta and Azure here:
User Provisioning setup with Okta
User Provisioning setup with Microsoft Azure AD
September 15, 2022
Feature Improvements
License purchase process
We’ve improved the license purchase experience!
From now on, Organizations are charged and invoiced right after purchasing their Member or Server licenses. Bulk purchasing is also available, with one invoice issued per bulk purchase.
Organizations can now also see more information about their active licenses on the Members and Servers pages.
August 10, 2022
New Features
Feature request forms
We’ve introduced 5 new feature request forms that make requesting extra server security settings easier. Here are brief descriptions of each request form:
Site-to-Site request form allows Organization Admins to safely request a secure tunnel configured between NordLayer and their business network. Learn more
SWG Browser Extension (Beta) request form allows Organization Admins to enable SWG access to a selected dedicated server(s) for their employees. Learn more
Deep Packet Inspection (Lite) request form allows Organization Admins to choose from around 250 custom ports and protocols to block on their virtual private gateway. Learn more
Custom DNS request form allows Organization Admins to securely pass their DNS server data to our support to set it up as their primary DNS server instead of using the default DNS solution. Learn more
DNS Filtering request form allows Organization Admins to choose from around 50 content categories to block on their virtual private gateway. Learn more
The new feature request forms are next to each server under “Configure”.
August 1, 2022
New Features
“Add more licenses” function
Purchasing additional licenses is now easier.
The new “Add more licenses” function allows self-managed organizations to purchase any number of extra licenses without contacting Account Managers.
Organization Administrators can find the new function here:
- Members page;
- Servers page;
- Invite new members form;
- Add servers to gateway form.
July 4, 2022
New Features
Two-factor authentication (2FA)
2FA authentication is live!
All Control Panel Members can now set up 2FA to increase security when logging in to the Control Panel.
Find more information on how to set up 2FA here.
Single sign-on (SSO)
SSO is live!
All Control Panel Members are now able to set up SSO to increase security when logging in to the Control Panel.
Members can choose from these SSO options: Google, OKTA, Azure AD, and OneLogin.
Email and password login method
Control Panel Administrators can now choose where to use the email and password login method. They can use it to log in to the Control Panel, apps, both, or neither.
Find more information here.
May 12, 2022
New Features
“Watch demo” button
Onboarding new Organization Administrators just got easier. The “Watch demo” button has been added to the onboarding page in the Control Panel.
From now on, new Administrators can easily access a detailed video overview to better understand and navigate the Control Panel.
Find the demo here.
Show or hide shared gateways in the apps
Control Panel Administrators now have the function to show or hide shared gateways for Organization Members in the apps.
Feature Improvements
Gateway column
A new Gateway column showing Organization Members’ gateway connection information has been added to the Connections tab in the Activity page. The column displays what gateways — shared or private — Members connect to.
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