Secure Service Edge for Hybrid Work Environments

As employees use hybrid work environments to access applications and information, organizations must secure remote workers. Secure service edges can help with this.

SSE, a cloud-native platform that integrates security and networking into one platform, is a cloud architecture. It provides continuous security across SaaS, cloud and private applications using a unified policy framework.

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 provides protection against malicious or unauthorized access. SSE also allows secure access to cloud, web and private applications.

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 offers consistent application and security enforcement across locations and users while delivering centralized visibility into 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 also includes a defense-in depth strategy that is effective in detecting and preventing threats such as malware.

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 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. This reduces risk by eliminating gaps between point products and eliminates the need for manual updates to traditional legacy appliances.

Zero trust: SSE Systems should provide least-privileged access in accordance with a zero-trust policy. This includes user role and behavior as well as device, application, or content. 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 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 security by unifying web gateway (SWG), cloud access security broker (CASB), and zero trust network access (ZTNA) technologies.

SSE's centralized cloud DLP capabilities allow for sensitive data to be located, classified and protected in an integrated way. This can support compliance policies such as Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard and GDPR.

SSE must have advanced threat protection capabilities. Examples include cloud firewalls, CASB inspections in SaaS-based apps, and adaptive accessibility control. SSE's adaptive access control identifies the device posture, and adapts access to it as needed.

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

SSE platforms that can inspect web and data traffic at a global scale are crucial. Vendors should have strong service-level agreement (SLAs), and experience evaluating inline traffic at major multinationals.

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