SASE cybersecurity

Securing the network with SASE cybersecurity

Today’s cybersecurity teams face a number of challenges as the traditional network perimeter disappears. The steady shift to a work-from-anywhere workforce, accelerated by the pandemic, has resulted in increasingly distributed users, data and applications – and a more complicated attack surface. At the same time, the growing use of cloud resources means IT teams must enable fast, secure access to SaaS applications on any device, from any location, at any time.

To achieve these goals while strengthening cybersecurity, many organizations are turning to the secure access service edge (SASE) network framework. By converging networking and security services on a single cloud-based platform, SASE simplifies network management while enhancing cybersecurity and improving application performance.

For IT teams seeking a SASE cybersecurity solution that can be implemented quickly and managed easily, Spectrum Enterprise offers Cloud Security, a managed services solution offered in partnership with Cisco. With Cloud Security, organizations can reap the benefits of SASE cybersecurity while reducing administrative burden on IT teams and lowering total cost of ownership (TCO).

How SASE improves cybersecurity

A SASE platform offers significant advantages over legacy network security solutions. In traditional models, traffic must be backhauled from branch offices and remote locations to a central enterprise data center. While this practice enables traffic to be inspected and security policies to be applied, it also adds considerable latency which results in suboptimal performance of cloud applications and poor user experiences.

SASE cybersecurity solutions adopt a decentralized cloud-delivery model that lowers latency by eliminating the need to backhaul traffic to an on-premises hub. With a cloud-based infrastructure, security services like threat prevention, web filtering, DNS security, data loss prevention and credential theft prevention can be applied at the edge of the network, using identity-focused security resources. The identities of users and resources determine the amount of access and quality of service for every network connection, based on organizational policy. In this way, SASE cybersecurity solutions can offer equal protection to on-premises data centers as well as branch offices, cloud resources and mobile users.

While SASE security configurations differ from network to network, there are four standard security components in every SASE implementation. Known as the security service edge, these components include Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). Together, these technologies enable users to authenticate and securely connect to internal and cloud resources from any location on any device, while giving IT teams greater control and visibility over users, devices and activity.

Spectrum Enterprise Cloud Security

Powered by Cisco, Spectrum Enterprise Cloud Security securely connects users to the resources they need while streamlining device management and improving visibility. With Cloud Security, IT teams can manage SASE cybersecurity from a single portal to configure, manage and monitor users, services and devices anywhere in the network. As a managed services offering, Cloud Security reduces the management burden on IT staff, facilitates adherence of strict regulatory requirements and eliminates the need for capital expenditures on hardware and software.

Cloud Security includes the core components of SASE cybersecurity as well as multifactor authentication (MFA) and identity and access management solutions. With this Spectrum Enterprise solution, organizations can:

• Support the hybrid workforce by providing access to corporate resources on any device, from any location.
• Enhance traditional VPN approaches by adding secondary authentication to determine which devices can be trusted.
• Give IT teams detailed insight into malicious domains, IPs and URLs, along with real-time context on malware, botnets, trojans, phishing attacks and other threats.
• Improve visibility into network activity to detect compromised systems.
• Alleviate the traditional bottlenecks that occur when traffic must be tunneled through a central on-premises hub.
• Protect users and data by stopping threats before they reach the network or endpoints.
• Apply and manage firewall policies wherever end users are located.
• Enable users to access cloud applications directly and securely.
• Improve cloud application performance by lowering latency of network traffic.
• Establish secure access policies by user and device, regardless of location.

Benefits of SASE cybersecurity with Spectrum Enterprise

Spectrum Enterprise Cloud Security provides significant advantages for IT teams managing SASE cybersecurity.

• Simpler management. Cloud Security enables IT teams to work with a single vendor and to use manage SASE cybersecurity from a single portal, streamlining deployment, management and maintenance. When choosing fully managed service options, IT teams can remain focused on business growth while Spectrum Enterprise experts manage the network and SASE cybersecurity.
• Extensive visibility. Cloud Security delivers the visibility that IT teams need to support remote users regardless of location or device. With full visibility and control into cloud data, usage and access, IT teams can enforce network compliance regulations and guidelines to enhance security and protect users and data. Enhanced visibility of endpoint devices and device activity enables IT teams to monitor and remediate device posture.
• Greater flexibility. This Spectrum Enterprise solution helps to lower total cost of ownership through managed service options, dynamic pricing options and flexible deployment options. Organizations enjoy predictable operational costs while gaining access to premium tools without capital expenditures.
• Expertise and support. Spectrum Enterprise supports SASE cybersecurity deployments with 1200+ MEF-certified professionals who have decades of experience tackling tough security challenges. Dedicated Client Service Managers provide 24/7/365 support, while local resources and technicians ensure fast and responsive remediation.

Why Spectrum Enterprise?

Spectrum Enterprise provides scalable, fiber technology solutions for America’s largest businesses. With a wholly owned fiber network that’s engineered for growth, we deliver business-critical internet and networking solutions that excel in dependability and reliability. Our portfolio of services also includes voice and TV solutions along with managed services that add expertise and hands-on help to our customers’ IT teams.

While our customers appreciate our industry-leading solutions, they value our ability to serve as a technology partner even more. Our teams work to identify the unique technology needs of our clients and design solutions to fulfill them. With Spectrum Enterprise, organizations have access to the technology solutions they need to stay out in front of the competition and to adapt to rapidly changing demands.

FAQs

What is SASE?

Secure access service edge, or SASE, is a network architecture that combines software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) with cloud-native security functions delivered as services at the edge. This networking model is designed to address the challenges of managing and securing highly distributed networks and providing secure access to work-from-anywhere employees. SASE benefits include easier management of distributed networks, stronger defenses against evolving threats and lower latency in network performance which provides a better user experience.

What is SASE cybersecurity?

SASE for business networks improves cybersecurity by making identity-centric security functions available as services throughout the network. Technologies such as multifactor authentication (MFA) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) ensure that only authorized users can access network resources, while security solutions such as Secure Web Gateways (SWG), Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB), Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) provides protection against a wide range of threats without needing to backhaul traffic to a central data center for filtering and application of security policies.