Edge security

The need for edge security

The focus of IT security today is no longer about creating a secure network perimeter. Instead, with the rise of cloud computing, the Internet of Things and distributed workforces, security teams are now tasked with protecting data, users and devices that live and operate at the edge of networks rather than in secure data centers or corporate headquarters.

The challenges of edge security are significant. Employees may need access to IT resources not only from the office but from home, on the road and other remote sites. Users may connect to the network from unsecured home networks or public WiFi using personal devices that lack appropriate security controls. Remote workers need fast access to the cloud applications they rely on to get work done, requiring network edge security solutions that won’t impact the speed or quality of connections.

Spectrum Enterprise can help. With an array of network edge fiber solutions and managed services, Spectrum Enterprise can help improve edge security while simplifying management and improving network performance.

Best practices for edge security

When designing solutions for edge security, several best practices can help to guide IT teams as they select and implement solutions.

Adopt a Zero Trust framework

The Zero Trust model of security flips the traditional security paradigm where users, devices and applications already inside the network were considered “safe.” In a Zero Trust framework, everything request is considered to be a potential threat until it has been authenticated and authorized. Users, devices and applications must be continually validated before being granted access to IT resources.

Manage updates and patches

Software vulnerabilities are a primary attack vector for cybercriminals. IT teams must be diligent in ensuring that devices and applications at the edge and throughout the organization are continuously updated and patched to prevent potential breaches.

Harden defenses

Edge security requires a multi-layered approach that combines advanced security technologies such as next-generation firewalls (NGFWs), malware protection, secure web gateways (SWGs) and more. To minimize complexity, IT teams can choose a platform that lets them monitor and manage multiple edge security solutions from a single console.

Achieve greater visibility

The distributed nature of hybrid networks and edge computing make it difficult for IT teams to have visibility into network activity, security status and devices throughout the organization. Solutions that deliver comprehensive visibility are essential for understanding where security gaps exist.

Edge security with Spectrum Enterprise

Spectrum Enterprise delivers several managed services solutions that allow IT teams to manage edge security and edge networking more easily.

Enterprise Network Edge

Delivered over the industry-leading Fortinet platform, Enterprise Network Edge is an integrated and fully managed networking platform solution that includes advanced solutions for edge and WAN edge security. This all-inclusive platform simplifies IT operations while making networks more secure, reliable and efficient. IT teams enjoy complete visibility of security events and network utilization via an easy-to-use portal. Teams can take an active role in managing and controlling security policies while leaving the rest to Spectrum Enterprise’s team of network and security experts. From managing security updates and hardening defenses to ensuring that security solutions do not impact network performance, Enterprise Network Edge delivers all the network edge solutions IT teams need to enhance edge security.

Managed Network Edge

Spectrum Enterprise Managed Network Edge is a fully managed, modular, all-in-one solution delivered over the Cisco Meraki platform. Providing complete visibility of security events and threats, virtual LAN (VLAN) port configurations, traffic prioritization and more, Managed Network Edge keeps networks up-to-date and secure, while ensuring that critical business applications get top priority. Edge security is provided by a firewall and unified threat management (UTM) features, including advanced malware protection, intrusion protection and URL content filtering. Managed Network Edge ensures secure edge WAN connections by automatically establishing encrypted sessions between locations and to the cloud, while remote solutions enable seamless and secure network access wherever employees connect to the network. 

Spectrum Enterprise Cloud Security

To enhance edge security, IT teams may adopt a secure access service edge (SASE) approach to network management and security. Combining software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) and several proven security technologies, SASE converges network and security services in a cloud-based platform that is centered on the identity of users, devices and applications.

To simplify SASE implementation, Spectrum Enterprise offers Cloud Security, a fully managed SASE platform powered by Cisco. Cloud Security combines SD-WAN with a Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), along with options for Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Multifactor Authentication (MFA) solutions.

With Spectrum Enterprise Cloud Security, IT teams can:

• Authenticate users and devices before they access resources on the network.
• Deliver secure network access for mobile and remote users.
• Mitigate security risks with greater visibility into users and devices.
• Enforce strong authentication, preventing attackers from accessing applications and data.
• Ensure access to cloud applications for workers at the edge.
• See the attack surface more clearly with detailed insight into malicious domains, IPs and URLs.
• Simplify administration of the network and network security. 

Why customers choose Spectrum Enterprise

Spectrum Enterprise offers scalable, fiber technology solutions for the country’s largest businesses and communications service providers. We partner with companies in many industries to develop unique technology solutions to meet their goals. Our reliable and scalable solutions provide a seamless experience for our customers, helping to drive productivity and foster business growth.

Our wholly owned fiber network – the foundation for all our offerings –provides an industry-leading service-level agreements (SLAs) by Spectrum Enterprise which includes a 100% uptime guarantee, end-to-end performance nationwide and unrivaled remedies.¹ Our nationwide network spans more than 245,000+ fiber-route miles and connects more than 317,000 fiber-lit buildings.

In addition to edge security and networking and cloud security solutions, we offer services and solutions for high-speed internet, voice and unified communications and HDTV services. 

FAQs

What is the edge?

The edge refers to the edge of a computer network – the place where devices like servers, desktops and laptops, smart phones, virtual machines and Internet of Things sensors connect to the internet. By moving data processing and data storage to the edge, organizations can improve performance by enabling users, devices, applications and workloads to access data faster.

What is edge security?

Edge security is concerned with protecting data and IT resources that reside at the edge of the network, rather than in central data centers or the cloud. Edge security may include technologies such as firewalls, web filtering, application control, multifactor authentication, identity and access management, malware detection and more.

¹100% uptime SLA guarantee applies only to Dedicated Fiber Internet, Secure Dedicated Fiber Internet, Ethernet Services, Cloud Connect and Enterprise Trunking.