SASE framework

Protecting your network with a SASE framework

In the past, IT teams were focused on securing networks, data centers and users within a secure corporate perimeter. Today, IT teams are tasked with protecting people, data and applications that reside everywhere. From cloud computing to work-from-anywhere employees, advances in digital transformation have made it far more challenging to give users the right level of access at the right time while ensuring comprehensive network security.

As a result, a growing number of organizations are adopting a secure access service edge (SASE) approach to managing networks and network security. A SASE framework combines software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) with proven security technologies, all managed from a single cloud-based platform. With the right SASE solutions, organizations can ensure access to network resources from any location and device while defending against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Choosing the right SASE framework is the key to reaping the benefits of this approach to network security. Spectrum Enterprise offers a complete solution for SASE security and networking by combining SD-WAN solutions with Cloud Security, a suite of technologies powered by Cisco that enhances security and visibility into network activity.

Elements of a SASE framework

While every secure access service edge implementation may be different, a SASE framework typically comprises several core technologies.

• Software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN). SD-WAN technology is an essential part of the SASE framework, enabling organizations to provision secure, flexible networking to people and devices who reside in disparate geographic locations. SD-WAN decouples the controlling software from networking hardware, making it easier for organizations to connect users and devices across large distances with a variety of networking hardware.
• Secure Web Gateway (SWG). This technology filters web traffic to block unwanted content, prevent unauthorized user behavior and enforce security policies across the network.
• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB). A CASB performs a variety of security tasks for cloud-hosted services such as managing authentication, encryption, malware detection and policy enforcement.
• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS). Unlike traditional physical firewalls, FWaaS offers protection for cloud-based platforms and applications by filtering URLs, detecting intrusions and managing security policies uniformly across all network traffic.
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). To prevent unauthorized access, contain breaches and limit lateral movement, ZTNA solutions require all users and devices to be continually authenticated before access is granted to network resources.

Deploying and managing the various technologies in a SASE framework can be a burden for IT teams that are already stretched thin with multiple strategic priorities. Choosing a fully managed SASE solution with comprehensive technology enables organizations to enjoy the benefits of this new approach to network security while streamlining implementation and minimizing complexity. That’s exactly what IT teams get with Spectrum Enterprise.

Cloud Security from Spectrum Enterprise

Spectrum Enterprise Cloud security is a managed services offering that combines the security service edge aspects of a SASE framework – SWG, ZTNA, FWaaS and CASB technologies – with a cloud-based management portal that simplifies and streamlines network security and management functions. When combined with Spectrum Enterprise SD-WAN solutions, Cloud Security offers a comprehensive solution that enables IT teams to configure, manage and monitor users, services and devices across the network while defending against evolving threats.

Spectrum Enterprise offers Cloud Security in partnership with two Cisco products.

• Cloud Security and Cisco Duo provide multifactor authentication (MFA), enabling secure remote access without an endpoint VPN client. This offering enables IT teams to establish secure access policies by user and device, regardless of location. Teams have deep visibility into how users access applications, making it easy to flag and block access to risky devices and outdated software. Cloud Security + Cisco Duo promotes secure access policies by user and device, while MFA capabilities enforce strong authentication for separate applications and data environments.
• Cloud Security and Cisco Secure Connect Now offer a layer of “defense in-depth” security capabilities that are not typically part of SD-WAN security platforms. With this solution, IT teams can provide secure direct access to cloud applications regardless of user or device location, without relying on physical corporate data centers. This solution eliminates the need to backhaul remote and branch traffic to the corporate LAN to enforce security policies. IT teams get detailed insight into malicious domains, URLs and IPs, along with real-time context on malware, phishing, botnets, trojans and other threats. 

Benefits of Spectrum Enterprise’s SASE framework

With SASE for business networking powered by Spectrum Enterprise, organizations can accomplish key objectives for networking and security.

• Support the hybrid workforce with a work-from-anywhere model for networking and security. Enable users to access internal corporate resources and cloud applications no matter where they are or what device they’re using.
• Enhance traditional VPN approaches with secondary authentication to determine which devices can be trusted.
• Eliminate traditional bottlenecks associated with tunneling everything through a central on-premises hub, improving performance of SaaS applications by reducing latency.
• Protect users by stopping threats before they reach the network or endpoints. Prevent ransomware, malware and phishing attacks as well as attacks based on trusted domains and valid certificates.
• Simplify implementation and management of a SASE framework by working with a single point of contact for managed WAN and cloud security functions.
• Reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) with predictable operational costs, managed service options, dynamic pricing options, and access to premium tools without a capex investment.

Why choose SASE with Spectrum Enterprise?

Spectrum Enterprise is a national provider of scalable, fiber technology solutions. America’s largest businesses and communications service providers choose our solutions to help realize their boldest ambitions.

Our solutions allow teams to work together, even when they can’t be together. End-to-end support and fully managed services ensure the performance our customers require to compete more effectively. Our teams of experts understand the needs of our clients, designing solutions and managing technologies that help our customers to grow and succeed. From networking solutions to voice and HDTV offerings, our broad portfolio of solutions helps our customers stay ahead of rapidly changing requirements as well as their strongest competitors.

FAQs

What is a SASE framework?

Secure access service edge (SASE) is a network architecture that combines SD-WAN technology with cloud-native security functions including a Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). Delivered and managed via a cloud-based portal, a SASE framework enables highly distributed workforces to securely access cloud applications and resources on the corporate network.

What are the advantages of a SASE framework?

SASE benefits include:

• Improved performance for cloud applications.
• Secure access for any user, on any device, from any location.
• Stronger security through a Zero Trust approach to authentication.
• Protection from advanced threats like ransomware and phishing attacks.
• Streamlined management of networking and network security tasks.
• Greater flexibility for implementing and delivering security services.