Secure Service Edge Hybrid Work Environments

In order to protect their remote workers who access applications and data via hybrid work environments, companies need a solution. Secure service edges can help with this.

SSE is an architecture built for the cloud that combines security and networking in one platform. This allows continuous security coverage for cloud, SaaS or private applications through a single policy framework.

Access Control

As more employees and trusted partners access content, data, applications, and other resources through the internet or mobile devices, it is essential to have a comprehensive secure service edge (SSE) solution. SSE provides protection against malicious or unauthorized access. SSE also allows secure access to cloud, web and private applications.

SSE (Cloud Security Engine) is a cloud-based solution that integrates networking, security and other functions. These include SD-WAN software, firewall as a Service, Secure Web Gateways, Cloud Access Security Brokers and Zero Trust network access. It provides consistent application and security enforcement for users and locations while providing centralized visibility of traffic.

SSE is also equipped with a zero-trust access control system based on identity. This means that users are never put on the network. This provides fast and reliable WAN connection without the requirement for a VPN. SSE includes a strong defense-in-depth approach for detecting malware and other threats.

Threat Protection

SSE provides threat protection to internet sessions. This ensures that users can connect securely and safely to critical business applications, no matter where they may be located. This enables hybrid-work for employees, secures data and cloud connectivity, accelerates migrations to the cloud, and simplifies M&A integration.

A single cloud platform delivers security services that follow app-to-app connectivity, regardless of device or location. It reduces risk because it eliminates gaps in point products, and also removes the need to update legacy appliances manually.

Zero trust access: SSE systems should allow least-privileged access based on a zero trust policy, including user role and behavior, device, application and content. This will prevent lateral movement as well as protect applications from being detected, thus reducing the attack area.

SSE enforces policies: SSE combines unified threats prevention capabilities with CASB/ZTNA technologies in order to enforce corporate policy on all end-users, no matter where they are located within the network or which devices they use. This helps mitigate the risk of insider threats, ransomware and other threats that can occur when employees connect to sensitive data or use cloud applications that are not compliant with corporate policies.

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 protection by integrating web gateway, cloud access security broker and zero trust access (ZTNA).

SSE offers cloud-based data loss protection capabilities that allow sensitive data to easily be found, classified and secured. This can help support compliance policies, such as Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and GDPR.

SSE solutions must also have advanced threat prevention capabilities, such as cloud firewall as a service (FWaaS), CASB inspection of data in SaaS apps, and adaptive access control. Adaptive access control is a key element of SSE that identifies device posture and adjusts access as it changes.

Watching

Monitor internet sessions if you're working with secure service edges. This allows you to see how your network is performing and what apps are being used.

Monitoring can help you spot potential problems before they happen and keep your business protected from threats. You can improve the user experience while reducing 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 most common uses for a Security Service Edge is to enforce control policies on mobile, cloud and internet access. This can include enforcing corporate internet and access control policies for compliance or mitigating risk through content blocking and malware isolation.