Last week, a remote marketing agency discovered that a former team member had accessed their internal tasks weeks after offboarding — simply because no IP restrictions were in place.
It’s a story we’ve heard before — and one that’s becoming all too common.
When your team works from five cities, three time zones, and dozens of Wi-Fi networks, just having a password doesn’t cut it. You need an extra layer of control — one that quietly checks, “Is this the right device, from the right place, logging in right now?”
That’s where IP address controls come in.
In this guide, we’ll explain what an IP address actually is, why it matters more than ever for remote teams, and how to set up smarter access controls inside your collaboration tools — including how Workast fits into the picture.
What Is an IP Address — and Why Should Teams Care?
Let’s start simple.
An IP address (short for Internet Protocol address) is like the home address of your device on the internet. It tells other systems where to send data — and it gives clues about where a user is logging in from.
There are two major types:
- Static IPs: These stay the same every time you connect. Offices, VPNs, or specific routers often use static IPs.
- Dynamic IPs: These change periodically. Most home Wi-Fi and mobile devices use these.
Not sure which kind your team is using? You can easily check IP to confirm.
So why does this matter?
Because your team’s access to tools like Workast, Slack, or Google Workspace happens through those IP addresses. If someone’s logging in from an IP you don’t recognize — say, a country where you don’t have employees — that should raise a red flag.
Think of IP addresses as digital fingerprints. They help you trace, filter, and control who gets into your workspaces — and from where.
Common Remote Work Security Risks (That IP Controls Can Prevent)
Let’s paint a picture. Say your team uses Slack, Workast, and Google Drive to manage everything from project planning to content collaboration.
Without IP controls, here’s what could go wrong:
1. Ex-Employee Access
You revoke a user’s Slack access — but they had Workast open on their personal laptop. With no IP block, they could still interact if their session wasn’t fully terminated.
2. Suspicious Foreign Logins
Your team is U.S.-based. But you notice logins from an IP in Belarus at 3:00 a.m. No one was traveling. That’s likely a compromised account.
3. Shared Login Credentials
Two freelancers are “sharing” one account from different cities. Their IPs give them away. With IP controls, you can stop this before it happens.
What Are IP Address Controls? (With Real-World Examples)
IP address controls are ways to limit and monitor who can access your team tools — and from which locations.
Let’s break it down:
| Feature | What It Does | How It Helps Remote Teams |
| IP Allowlisting | Only lets logins from specific IPs (e.g., your company VPN) | Prevents rogue access even if login credentials leak |
| IP Geofencing | Blocks access from high-risk countries | Mitigates targeted attacks from unfamiliar regions |
| Login Tracking by IP | Logs each session’s IP address | Helps audit suspicious activity |
Real-world use case:
Your HR lead works from a coworking space using a static IP. You allowlist that IP. Your design contractor in Brazil? You whitelist their VPN IP instead. Now, if a login attempt comes from anywhere else, it’s denied — or at least flagged.
How Workast Supports Smarter IP-Based Access (via Integrations)
While Workast itself doesn’t directly offer built-in IP filtering, it integrates with platforms that do — giving you a chain of security.
Slack + Workast
If you use Slack Enterprise Grid, you can configure Slack to only allow IPs from your office or company VPN. Since Workast runs inside Slack, this protects access indirectly.
Tip: Ask your Slack admin to enable “Allowed IP Ranges” under Security Settings. Then test access from an off-network device.
Google Workspace + Workast
Workast supports Google Sign-In. If your organization uses Google Workspace, you can enable Context-Aware Access to limit tool usage based on:
- IP address
- Device type
- User group
Use Case: Allow full access only from office IPs, while remote users must use a secured VPN connection.
Third-Party VPN or SSO
Many teams layer Workast into a single sign-on (SSO) environment, secured by Okta, OneLogin, or a company-wide VPN. This lets you manage IP policies in one place — and apply them across all tools.
Why IP Controls Make Your Team More Productive (Not Just More Secure)
You might be wondering: “Won’t this slow us down?”
Actually — no. When implemented smartly, IP controls reduce friction, not create it.
Here’s why:
1. Clarity = Confidence
Team members know their environment is secure. That builds trust — and reduces anxiety around “what ifs.”
2. Less Micromanagement
IT and Ops teams don’t need to constantly audit user activity or chase down mystery logins.
3. Better Audit Trails
When every login is tied to a known IP, it’s easier to track changes, resolve disputes, or comply with data policies (e.g., GDPR, SOC 2).
Step-by-Step: How to Set Up IP Access Controls (Even If You’re Not in IT)
Whether you’re managing a small agency or a remote team across multiple countries, here’s a lightweight framework:
Step 1: List Trusted IPs
Office routers (static IPs)
VPN endpoints
Approved coworking spaces
Use an IP checker (xvpn.io/ip-address-checker) to collect IPs from your team.
Step 2: Apply Restrictions in Your Tools
- In Slack, go to Admin > Security > Allowed IP Ranges
- In Google Workspace, set Context-Aware Access via the Admin Console
- If using Okta or SSO, define IP rules in your identity provider settings
Step 3: Create an IP Exception Plan
- Some team members may use mobile or dynamic IPs. Define exceptions with backup login methods (e.g., 2FA plus manager approval).
Step 4: Educate Your Team
Send a short guide explaining:
- Why IP security matters
- What to do if blocked
- How to work securely on-the-go (e.g., via VPN)
Final Thoughts: Remote Work Deserves Better Access Control
In a world where remote teams are the norm — not the exception — letting anyone, anywhere, access your tools is a risk you can’t afford.
IP address controls are like digital door locks: simple, silent, but incredibly effective. They don’t replace good passwords, 2FA, or VPNs — they complement them.
So whether you’re a team lead worried about unauthorized access, or an IT admin juggling multiple tools, setting up IP-based restrictions across your work tools — starting with Slack, Google, and Workast — is one of the easiest, smartest upgrades you can make this year.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an IP address and how does it relate to team access?
An IP address is a unique identifier for a device on the internet, similar to a mailing address for sending and receiving information. In the context of team tools, it helps you monitor and control where users are logging in from — making it a powerful way to manage and secure remote access.
2. Why should remote teams use IP address controls?
Remote teams often work across various networks and devices. IP address controls help limit access to trusted locations, reduce the risk of unauthorized logins, and give IT teams better visibility into user activity. It’s a simple but effective way to boost digital security without slowing your team down.
3. Can Workast block logins from unknown IP addresses?
Not directly — but Workast integrates with platforms like Slack and Google Workspace, which offer IP-based restrictions. By enforcing IP controls through these integrations, you can indirectly secure Workast access and create a safer collaboration environment for your team.
4. What’s the difference between IP allowlisting and geofencing?
- IP Allowlisting: You manually specify the IP addresses allowed to access your tools. It’s precise and controlled.
- Geofencing: You set geographic rules to allow or deny access based on country or region. It’s broader but less targeted.
Most teams use allowlisting for internal users and geofencing to block high-risk regions.
5. How do I know which IPs to allow for my team?
Start by identifying:
- Static IPs from your office network or VPN
- Remote workers’ known IPs (or VPN endpoints)
- Trusted coworking spaces or secured devices
Use tools like IP address checker or check your router/VPN admin panel to gather these addresses. Then apply restrictions through your identity provider or collaboration platform.