SASE benefits

SASE benefits work-from-anywhere employees

The workplace is experiencing a radical transformation, accelerated by the global events of 2020. As more employees work from home, the road and other locations outside the office, IT teams are challenged to provide secure access to IT networks, digital resources and cloud applications. As a result, many organizations are adopting secure access service edge (SASE) technology to ensure that every user can access the network on any device, from any location.

The SASE framework requires every networking and security solution that once lived in the data center must now be delivered as a service to the distributed workforce. This alleviates the traditional bottlenecks caused by tunneling everything through a central on-premise hub to monitor and filter traffic for security concerns. SASE technology includes software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) as well as proven solutions for network security designed to protect access regardless of the location of data, apps, users and devices.

For organizations seeking to realize SASE benefits, Spectrum Enterprise offers a fully managed solution that allows IT teams to streamline management, improve security and provide access to cloud applications for any user, anywhere, on any device.

Realizing SASE benefits for networking and security

Implementing SASE for business security and secure access requires IT teams to deploy several key technologies. A Secure Web Gateway (SWG) filters unwanted content from web traffic and blocks unauthorized user behavior. Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) protects cloud-based platforms and applications from cyberattacks through URL filtering, intrusion prevention and security policy management. Zero Trust Network Access protects IT environments from potential breaches by requiring every user and device to be authenticated in real time. A Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) performs a variety of security functions including data loss prevention, access control, threat prevention, malware detection, data encryption and more.

SASE benefits include:

• Enhanced security. Firewall and CASB components help thwart external threats like DDoS attacks and vulnerability exploits. By filtering URLs, DNS queries and other network traffic, SASE security helps stop malware-based attacks, data exfiltration and other dangerous threats.
• Secure access. By authenticating every user, device and request before granting access to network resources, SASE technology supports an identity-based Zero Trust security model.
• Easier management. SASE providers with an all-in-one platform for managing disparate technologies deliver one of the biggest SASE benefits: streamlined management of SASE security policy and technology components.
• Reduced latency. SASE minimizes the latency that typically comes with highly distributed networks, which is caused by the need to backhaul traffic to the data center to monitor and inspect it for security issues. By avoiding the need to route traffic through a data center, SASE benefits users by lowering latency and enabling better performance for cloud applications.
• Lower TCO. By simplifying implementation and management of technology for networking and network security, a SASE solution can eliminate capital expense and lower operational expense to reduce total cost of ownership.

Spectrum Enterprise Cloud Security

Spectrum Enterprise offers a streamlined and centralized platform that helps IT teams to realize all the benefits of SASE architecture. Powered by Cisco, Spectrum Enterprise Cloud Security is a managed service offering that provides IT teams with everything they need to deploy, configure and manage SASE technology.

Benefits of SASE technology from Spectrum Enterprise include:

• Secure access for the hybrid workforce and work-from-anywhere employees.
• Enhanced support and secondary authentication for VPNs.
• Reduced latency for cloud applications.
• Detailed insight via a cloud-based portal into malicious domains, URLs and IPs.
• Real-time context on malware, botnets, phishing, trojans and other threats.
• Greater visibility into the activity of users and devices.
• Improved security, with the ability to stop threats before they reach the network or endpoints.
• Consistent enforcement of security policies throughout the organization.
• Streamlined management, enabling IT teams to configure, manage and monitor users, services and devices deployed across the network.

How Cloud Security works

Cloud Security combines several Spectrum Enterprise and Cisco products to provide a complete SASE solution. This Spectrum Enterprise technology converges network and security services into a cloud-based platform centered on the identity of users, devices and apps. Along with ZTNA, SWG, CASB and FWaaS technologies, Cloud Security provides Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Multifactor Authentication (MFA). When combined with SD-WAN solutions like Enterprise Network Edge or Managed Network Edge from Spectrum Enterprise, Cloud Security comprises a complete solution that delivers the comprehensive benefits of SASE architecture.

Cloud Security + Cisco Duo is an identity management and MFA service that enables secure remote access without an endpoint VPN client. This solution confirms user identities and determines level of trust while implementing single sign-on to critical business apps. IT teams can monitor the health of end-user devices and establish security policies based on identity and trust.

Cloud Security + Cisco Secure Connect Now is a cloud-based SASE solution that securely connects users to applications while providing “defense in-depth” security capabilities that are not usually included in SD-WAN security platforms. This Spectrum Enterprise/Cisco product offers a more secure, streamlined and efficient way for users to directly access cloud SaaS applications without relying on physical data centers. IT teams can better protect data, users, applications and the organization with advanced security capabilities including Zero Trust Network Access, DNS layer security, interactive threat intelligence, an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), cloud-delivered firewall, cloud malware detection and more.

Why customers choose Spectrum Enterprise

Spectrum Enterprise offers scalable, fiber technology solutions for the largest businesses and communications service providers in America. Our broad portfolio includes networking and high-bandwidth internet services, voice and unified communications technologies, and HDTV services for a wide range of use cases.

As a partner to our customers, our experts help design, deploy and manage solutions that meet unique technology requirements in a wide range of industries. Working closely with our clients, our specialists help businesses achieve success by deploying solutions that evolve and adapt as markets change and new opportunities arise.

FAQs

What is SASE?

SASE (secure access service edge) is an IT model that enables organizations to offer secure access to cloud applications and network resources for remote workforces and work-from-home employees. Combining SD-WAN, ZTNA, FWaaS, CASB and SWG technologies in a Zero-Trust model, SASE solutions enable IT teams to manage the security of highly distributed networks more easily while improving defenses against an evolving threat landscape.

What are SASE benefits?

SASE benefits include stronger defenses against advanced threats, streamlined management of complex networks, improved performance of SaaS applications and secure access for any user, on any device, from any location.