Secure Service Edge for Hybrid Work Environments

With employees accessing applications and data through hybrid work environments, organizations need a way to secure remote workers. You can do this by using a service edge.

SSE is an architecture built for the cloud that combines security and networking in one platform. This enables continuous security coverage across cloud, SaaS and private applications from an unified policy framework.

Access Control

A comprehensive solution for secure service edges (SSEs) is necessary as employees and partners are increasingly using the internet and mobile devices to access data, content, applications and other resources. SSE protects against unauthorized or malicious access and allows users to access web, cloud, private, and other applications securely.

SSE is an integrated cloud-based platform for networking and security. This includes SD-WAN (software-defined wide area networks), firewalls-as-a-service, secure Web Gateways (SWG), the Cloud Access Security Broker, and Zero Trust Network access (ZTNA). It offers consistent application and security enforcement across locations and users while delivering centralized visibility into traffic.

SSE includes an identity-based zero trust access control system that never puts users on the corporate network. This provides fast and reliable WAN connection without the requirement for a VPN. SSE is also based on a solid defense-indepth strategy to detect and prevent malware and other security threats.

Threat Protection

SSE protects internet sessions from threats, so users are able to connect securely with critical business apps no matter their location. This enables hybrid work for employees, secures cloud and private data connectivity, accelerates cloud migrations and simplifies integration during M&As.

A single cloud platform delivers security services that follow app-to-app connectivity, regardless of device or location. This reduces risks by eliminating gaps between products and removing the need for manual updating of traditional legacy appliances.

Zero-trust access: SSE systems must allow the least privilege access, based upon a policy of zero trust, encompassing user role, behavior, device, content, and application. This minimizes the attack surface and prevents lateral moves.

SSE enforces corporate policies for all users regardless of their location in the network, or device they use. This can help mitigate the risks of insider attacks, ransomware or other threats that may occur when employees use cloud applications not in compliance with corporate policy.

Data Security

As remote and mobile users connect to applications and data over the internet, organizations need to protect that information. Secure service edge delivers security by unifying web gateway (SWG), cloud access security broker (CASB), and zero trust network access (ZTNA) technologies.

SSE also provides centralized cloud Data Loss Protection (DLP) capabilities. This allows sensitive data, such as credit card numbers, to be classified, located and secured in one place. This can help support compliance policies, such as Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and GDPR.

SSE solutions should also include advanced threat prevention features, including cloud firewalls as a service, CASB inspections of data within SaaS apps and adaptive access controls. SSE includes adaptive access controls that identify device postures and change access accordingly.

Monitoring

Monitoring internet sessions is important when using a secure service. This lets you see how your network works and what applications are being utilized.

Monitoring can help you spot potential problems before they happen and keep your business protected from threats. This can also help you improve your user experience and reduce costs.

SSE platform that can inspect web- and data-traffic on a globally scale is crucial. Be sure that the vendor has a strong service level agreement (SLA) and an extensive track record in evaluating traffic for large multinational companies.

One of the primary use cases for a security service edge is enforcing policy control over internet, cloud, and mobile access. For example, this can include enforcing policies on corporate internet access and compliance through content blockage and malware isolation.