Edge computing security

Protecting your network through edge computing security

As your organization moves more computing functions to the edge of your network, edge computing security becomes a top priority for your security teams. Edge computing delivers lots of benefits for your business – lower latency, better user experiences, faster decision-making and the ability to leverage Internet of Things (IoT) networks for real-time business insights. However, with data processing and storage happening on hundreds or thousands of devices at the edge – rather than in a centralized data center – edge computing also dramatically expands your attack surface and complicates your security infrastructure.

Spectrum Enterprise can help. Our suite of edge computing security solutions includes an array of managed network services, remote access services and DDoS protection to simplify security at the edge and keep your business constantly protected.

The need for edge computing security

Edge computing shifts compute and storage functions away from centralized data centers, relying instead on edge devices like local servers, laptops, desktops, mobile devices, and IoT sensors to generate and process data. As a result, networks experience faster speeds and less latency since data is no longer backhauled to a distant data center for security inspection. This enables real-time computing and split-second decision-making for intelligent applications like connected cars, smart factories, stock trading, surveillance systems, smart traffic lights and many other use cases.

Because your data and devices no longer reside safely behind a network perimeter and a firewall, they are more susceptible to cyberattacks. Malicious insiders and external threat actors may find it easier to access your IT environment by targeting an employee’s unmanaged cell phone that’s connected to your network, or a laptop where security settings aren’t properly configured. With hundreds or thousands of devices – or millions of IoT sensors – in your edge network, your security teams will inevitably be challenged to visualize business-critical data and assets, let alone keep every device patched and protected.

Edge security solutions solve these challenges by implementing several key technologies.

• Access control. Superior identity and access management (IAM) is essential to edge computing security. Adopting the principle of least privilege – where users and applications are granted access for a limited time only to the data and IT assets they need to perform a specific task – can prevent unauthorized users from accessing the network.
• Zero Trust network access. This technology applies the principle of Zero Trust to network access, requiring users to be authenticated and authorized on every request. ZTNA technology also heightens security by requiring additional security measures based on context such as location and device.
• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS). FWaaS solutions monitor access for users and devices and provide centralized visibility, reporting and control for administrators.
• Endpoint security. Automated patching helps keep devices updated and minimizes the attack surface.
• Cloud security. Cloud security solutions protect cloud data and applications that are frequently accessed by edge devices.
• Visibility and monitoring. Automated monitoring software continuously scans the network and analyzes logs to identify suspicious activity that could indicate an attack.
• Encryption. Encrypting data at rest and data in transit protects sensitive information from being stolen or exposed when a data breach occurs or when an edge device is lost or stolen.
• Network security. Network edge computing security solutions include anti-malware software, web filtering solutions, intrusion prevention systems and next-generation firewalls to protect your SD-WAN.

Edge computing security solutions from Spectrum Enterprise

At Spectrum Enterprise, we offer a comprehensive suite of edge computing security solutions designed to protect your users, data, and devices at the edge. Partnering with industry leaders like Cisco and Fortinet, we provide managed solutions that let your teams maintain control over what they want, while our experts handle the rest.

Our edge computing security offerings include:

• Managed Network Edge. This modular, turnkey solution provides managed services for security, routing, SD-WAN, WiFi, remote access and more. Managed Network Edge offers complete visibility of security events and threats, traffic prioritization, virtual LAN (VLAN) port configurations and more via an easy-to-use, centralized portal. Features include automated updates, secure remote access, firewall, advanced malware protection, URL content filtering and intrusion protection security.
• Enterprise Network Edge. Available as a fully managed or co-managed service, Enterprise Network Edge delivers advanced security with the flexibility to support hybrid networks and multi-cloud strategies. This solution for edge computing security includes next-generation firewall with SSL inspection, threat intelligence, anti-malware, intrusion protection service and protection for data in motion and at rest. Automated updates help keep pace with changing network requirements and emerging threats.
• DDoS protection. Our cloud-based DDoS protection service defends your network against volumetric attacks by automatically identifying and mitigating threats. Proprietary machine learning and advanced analytics identify anomalies in traffic flows to quickly block attacks before they can negatively impact systems.
• Secure remote access. Secure Access with Cisco Duo strengthens your network with multifactor authentication and Zero Trust network access. With this edge computing security technology, your IT staff can establish secure access policies by user and device, regardless of location.
• Managed cloud security. Cloud Security with Cisco+ Secure Connect delivers full visibility into network activity, safeguards your network against threats, and ensures that remote and office-based workers have reliable access to IT resources.

Advantages of securing the edge with Spectrum Enterprise

Spectrum Enterprise solutions deliver substantial benefits for edge computing security.

• Improve security posture. Our solutions automatically defend your network from threats and protect your employees, clients and data from breaches and attacks. We deliver 24/7/365 monitoring to automatically detect threats and respond quickly to intrusions.
• Adapt to changing needs. Because security requirements can change quickly, we’ve designed our firewall and unified threat management (UTM) solutions to be as flexible as possible, providing multiple security functions from one centralized interface.
• Access layers of protection. More than deterrence, our solutions offer built-in redundancy with layers of protection to keep your traffic safe and to prevent attacks from impacting operations.
• Deploy comprehensive defenses. Our all-in-one platform combines edge computing security solutions with SD-WAN, unified communications (UC) and a SASE framework that delivers greater visibility into your network and more control over security policy.
• Integrate security solutions. With Spectrum Enterprise as your security partner, you get all the advantages of a single vendor – with fully supported services and years of expertise to guide design and implementation of your edge computing security program.

Why partner with Spectrum Enterprise?

As a partner to America’s largest enterprises and communication service providers, we’re committed to helping you reach your boldest ambitions. Our teams of experts will identify and analyze your unique technology needs, creating plans to fulfill them and implement reliable and scalable business growth solutions.

As the foundation of all our services and solutions, our wholly owned fiber network is engineered for growth. Our portfolio includes a broad range of offerings in internet, networking, TV, voice and communications, and customer experience technology, enabling us to help you to achieve business network modernization to stay ahead of the rapidly changing demands. Our solutions serve the needs of businesses in every vertical, from communications solutions in healthcare to network technology in education to cybersecurity in manufacturing.

With Spectrum Enterprise, your teams can always count on our dedicated experts who bring a tireless work ethic, unmatched commitment and hands-on local support to every project.

FAQs

What is edge computing?

Edge computing moves compute, storage, networking and security functions away from a centralized data center and to a variety of devices and locations at the edge of a computer network. By processing and storing data closer to where it is generated and needed, edge computing helps to reduce latency, increase bandwidth, improve user experiences and access real-time business insights.
 

What are the challenges of edge computing security?

Because edge computing does not backhaul traffic through a central data center, security teams cannot easily visualize IT assets on the network or apply security policies to network traffic. Managing endpoint security becomes more difficult, since edge networks may comprise hundreds, thousands or even millions of devices.