iTWire - 4 ways SASE enhances enterprise cybersecurity

Thursday, 21 October 2021 20:14

4 ways SASE enhances enterprise cybersecurity

By Guest Writer

Guest Opinion: As cybersecurity threats grow, enterprises need robust cybersecurity solutions. SASE is the answer to modern security threats.

Enterprise cybersecurity has always faced evolving threats. The increasing sophistication with which malicious actors threaten to undermine enterprise networks has led to a raft of innovative solutions. These days, Secure Service Access Edge (SASE) presents the best way forward for companies looking to shore up their security posture.

SASE is far from a mere buzzword. Gartner recently highlighted SASE as one of its "must-have" technologies in 2021, noting that it will have a transformational impact on organizations in 2 to 5 years. The advantages that SASE offers organizations are unparalleled.

By offering organizations the ability to enable identity-based access and combine that with real-time compliance policies opens new possibilities in cybersecurity postures. Here are 4 benefits that SASE offers enterprises.

1- Well-Rounded Security

Traditional cybersecurity solutions are point-focused. These solutions do a great job securing everything within their limited scope but fail to scale to an enterprise's needs. This situation has led companies to adopt multiple solutions to secure their networks. The result is a patchwork of solutions where individual nodes are secure, but the overall system's security is less than healthy.

Such solutions generally lack the latest security solutions such as a next-generation firewall, intrusion-prevention systems, and secure web gateways. Cloud platforms add complexity to the mix by bringing a different set of requirements to the table.

SASE simplifies the holistic security picture by building advanced security features into the network infrastructure. The result is secure network edges, no matter the platform or scale. Generally, SASE platforms bring network and security functions onto a single cloud platform, thereby simplifying SD-WAN implementation and WAN optimization.

By bringing everything onto a single platform, enterprise WAN security is simplified.

2- Cost-Efficient

A patchwork of security solutions doesn't just create an unoptimized security blanket. It also increases implementation and maintenance costs. Thanks to different requirements, companies need to install multiple pieces of infrastructure that require specialized maintenance. As a result, companies have to hire specialized personnel to secure a small area of their networks.

SASE platforms eliminate this problem by offering enterprises easy, all-in-one access via the cloud. As a result, organizations can access top-notch cybersecurity cost-effectively. Updating and patching infrastructure is also simplified since there aren't multiple systems to address. Often, patches to one system might lead to network configuration vulnerabilities that compromise another system.

By choosing a SASE solution, companies can rest assured that configuration vulnerabilities won't arise because of full integration. Maintenance is also simplified since a single provider takes care of all issues, ensuring a resilient security posture at all times.

3- Easy Scalability

SASE has significant scalability consequences for WAN infrastructure. A cloud-native SASE solution eliminates the hands-on IT work that comes with scaling point-focused cybersecurity solutions. As a result, organizations can spin up or down sites within a few hours, compared to the weeks it would take with point solutions.

Remote work has added a new dimension to network security, with users connecting to enterprise networks via personal devices that might not be patched. SASE allows enterprises to verify and authorize users quickly, which eliminates time-consuming VPN connections to provide quick network access.

SASE works on zero-trust principles that enforce policy compliance and entity identity verification before allowing access to users. Enterprises can easily enforce complex compliance rules based on device, application, users, and even the context in which these factors are present.

In addition, it also minimizes the lateral movement of a malicious user by restricting broad network access based on IP location. Thus, threats from IoT or unmanaged devices to the network are mitigated.

As a result of fewer network bottlenecks, companies can scale operations and adapt to new working conditions easily without sacrificing security.

4- Simpler Management

Thanks to easy scalability, maintenance and network complexity do not grow automatically when a company expands. In contrast, point solutions make it tough for a company to manage a growing roster of resources. As a company scales, SD-WAN and VPN appliances across multiple locations will require management.

SASE's cloud-focused architecture removes the need for complex management processes. Since a single application provides complete accessibility, routine IT tasks are simple and don't need specialized resources. Thanks to this, the number of vendors a company requires for secure access also reduces, thus simplifying management even more.

Single Converged Platforms

SASE isn't just a buzzword that is spreading throughout the cybersecurity industry these days. It offers enterprises the ability to converge their security infrastructure into a single platform and develop resilience. Combine this with its ease of use, and it's easy to see why Gartner highlighted SASE as a must-have cybersecurity tool.

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