Secure Service Edge Hybrid Work Environments

To secure remote employees, organizations have to find a way of securing hybrid environments where employees can access data and applications. You can do this by using a service edge.

SSE is a cloud-native architecture that delivers security and networking services together in a single platform. The unified policy allows for continuous security coverage of cloud, SaaS applications and private apps.

Access Control

In an era where more employees are accessing content, data, applications and resources on the web or via mobile devices, having a secure service-edge (SSE), comprehensive solution is vital. SSE secures end users against malicious attacks, allows them to securely access cloud, private and web applications, and provides monitoring of their digital experiences.

SSE is a platform that integrates network and security functions. It includes SD-WAN, firewalls as a service (FaaS), secure web gateways, cloud access security brokers (CASB), zero trust network accesses (ZTNA), etc. It allows for consistent application and network security across users and locations, while also providing central visibility.

SSE uses a zero trust system for access control. It is based solely on user identities and does not place users in the corporate network. This allows for fast and reliable WAN connectivity without the need of a virtual private network (VPN). SSE incorporates a robust strategy of defense in depth to detect and prevent malware, as well as other threats.

Threat Protection

SSE offers threat protection for internet sessions, ensuring that users connect securely to critical business applications no matter where they are located. This facilitates hybrid work, protects private and cloud data connectivity, speeds cloud migrations, simplifies integrations during M&As, and enables hybrid working by employees.

A single cloud platform delivers security services that follow app-to-app connectivity, regardless of device or location. This reduces risk by eliminating gaps between point products and eliminates the need for manual updates to 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 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 reduces the risk of ransomware, insider threats and other threats when employees access sensitive data or use cloud apps that do not comply with corporate policies.

Data Security

Organisations must protect information when remote users and mobile devices connect to data and applications over the Internet. Secure service-edge delivers security using web gateway (SWG), zero-trust network (ZTNA), and cloud access security broker 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 to support compliance policy, such as Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard PCI DSS and GDPR.

SSE products must also offer advanced threat prevention, such as cloud-based firewalls (FWaaS), CASB analysis of data stored in SaaS software, and adaptive security access control. SSE is built around adaptive access, which detects changes in the device's posture and adjusts its access.

Monitoring

When working with a secure service edge, it's important to monitor internet sessions. This allows you the ability to track how your network performs, and which apps have been used.

Monitoring will help you identify problems before they occur and safeguard your business. You can improve the user experience while reducing costs.

SSE platforms with the ability to inspect data and web traffic on a worldwide scale are vital. Choose a vendor with strong service agreements (SLAs) that has evaluated inline traffic on behalf of large multinationals.

One of the primary use cases for a security service edge is enforcing policy control over internet, cloud, and mobile access. It can be used to enforce corporate internet policies and access controls for compliance, or mitigate risk by blocking content and isolating malware.