Which protocol is commonly used for secure remote access to networks?

The use of SSH, or Secure Shell, as a protocol for secure remote access to networks is well-established in the field of network security and administration. SSH provides a secure channel over an unsecured network by using encryption, which protects data from eavesdropping and tampering.

When connecting to remote systems, SSH allows users to log in and execute commands securely, thereby enabling administrative tasks and file transfers securely. Unlike protocols that lack security features, SSH includes mechanisms for authenticating users, encrypting session data, and ensuring integrity, which are crucial for protecting sensitive information during remote sessions.

The other options, such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol), primarily focus on transferring files but do not inherently encrypt data, making them less secure for remote access. ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is primarily used for diagnostic or control purposes, like the ping command, and does not provide secure access capabilities. UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is a connectionless transport layer protocol that does not offer reliability, ordering, or data protection, making it unsuitable for secure remote access.

Thus, SSH stands out as the most suitable choice for secure remote access, highlighting its importance in ensuring safe and efficient management of networked resources.