Security service edge

Protect your network with security service edge solutions

Secure access service edge (SASE) is quickly becoming the standard approach to managing and securing highly distributed networks. With the rise of hybrid workforces and increased use of cloud applications, SASE technology enables organizations to provide remote workers with secure access – anytime, anywhere, on any device.

SASE combines software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) with a variety of cloud-centric security capabilities that enable remote users to safely access websites, SaaS software and private applications. Within the SASE framework, these proven security technologies are known as the security service edge (SSE). SSE technologies broker secure connections between authorized users and network resources using identity-centric security policies.

While security service edge solutions are essential to ensuring secure connections for the work-from-anywhere workforce, deploying and managing these technologies can be complex and highly time-consuming. Choosing a single vendor is the key to maximizing the benefit of security service edge technologies while minimizing the burden on IT teams. When searching for the most effective SSE provider, IT teams can count on Spectrum Enterprise to deliver superior technology and expert assistance in a leading managed services offering.

The elements of security service edge

The security service edge comprises four security technologies that are considered the core elements of SASE cybersecurity.

• Secure Web Gateway (SWG) solutions provide URL filtering, web access controls and packet and content inspection to stop unauthorized traffic before it enters the network. An SWG can also protect against data exfiltration by monitoring outbound traffic and block access to prohibited, inappropriate or malicious websites based on security policy.
• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) solutions enforce security, governance and compliance policies while helping to protect data across multiple locations. CASBs deliver greater visibility and control over activity and data while remediating threats across internal and external networks in real time.
• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) technologies consistently apply and enforce security policies across all locations and users while giving IT teams greater visibility and control – without requiring physical firewall appliances to be deployed on the network.
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) enables secure, policy-based access to services and applications. By continually authenticating users and devices on every request for resources, ZTNA services mitigate external attacks as well as lateral movement while ensuring secure access for users and applications.

By managing these security service edge technologies from a single platform, IT teams can more effectively reduce risk, enhance user experiences, streamline management tasks and support a Zero Trust framework to enhance network security.

Simplify security service edge with Spectrum Enterprise

Spectrum Enterprise Cloud Security is a managed services offering that provides security service edge technology for organizations seeking to benefit from SASE security. Powered by Cisco, Cloud Security combines the core security service edge solutions along with options for multifactor authentication (MFA), password-less authentication, secure malware analytics, DNS layer security and inline data loss prevention.

Cloud Security is available in two major configurations.

• Cloud Security Cisco Secure Connect Now is a cloud-based security service edge solution that easily connects users to applications while providing in-depth security capabilities not included in most SD-WAN security platforms. This Spectrum Enterprise solution extends protection to devices and remote users, applying advanced security capabilities and delivering enhanced visibility for IT security teams. With Cloud Security Cisco Secure Connect Now, IT teams can simplify management and unify visibility of connectivity and security throughout the network.
• Cloud Security Cisco Duo provides secure access and device management to safeguard remote access to on-premises and cloud applications. This Cloud Security configuration makes it easy to authenticate users and devices as they access the network, regardless of location. IT teams gain visibility into user and device activity, with the ability to flag risky devices and block or notify users to update outdated software before accessing network resources. Cloud Security Cisco Duo also establishes consistent secure access policies by user and device and allows IT teams to manage updates down to the user level from a single portal.

Benefits of Cloud Security

Spectrum Enterprise’s security service edge solutions offer several key benefits for organizations and their IT teams.

Securely connect the hybrid workforce and remote users
Cloud Security delivers a streamlined, consistent security experience for users. Mobile and remote users can securely access internal corporate and cloud applications regardless of location or device. IT teams can control access to internal and cloud applications using MFA and endpoint-initiated ZTNA technologies.

Defend against evolving security threats
Cloud Security provides detailed insight into malicious URLs, IPs and domains. IT teams can view real-time context on malware, botnets, phishing attacks, trojans and other threats. MFA capabilities enforce strong authentication for separate applications and data environments, helping to stop breaches and prevent lateral movement within systems.

Streamline access to cloud applications
With Cloud Security, IT teams can offer a more secure and efficient way to access the internet and cloud-based SaaS applications, enabling direct-to-cloud and internet access regardless of the user or device location.

Improve application performance
By eliminating the need to backhaul remote and branch traffic to the central LAN to apply security policies, Cloud Security reduces latency in the network to improve the performance of cloud-based SaaS applications.

Enhance management of network and security functions
With Cloud Security, IT teams can easily configure, manage and monitor users, services and devices deployed across the network. Teams can also leverage adaptive policies and device monitoring to observe and mitigate security risks before they impact business.

Why customers choose Spectrum Enterprise

Spectrum Enterprise is a national provider of scalable, fiber technology solutions for the country’s largest businesses and communications service providers. Our portfolio includes a broad range of services and solutions for enterprise networking and communications: fiber-based internet services, cloud-based security, TV services, voice and unified communications, managed networking and much more.

With Spectrum Enterprise, customers can count on:

• Flexibility and scalability. Our solutions that evolve easily to meet new opportunities and rapidly changing business requirements.
• Dependability and reliability. Our wholly owned fiber network spans over 245,000+ fiber-route miles nationwide and offers a 100% guarantee uptime SLA.¹
• A trusted partner. Our dedicated team members bring a tireless work ethic, unmatched commitment and hands-on local support to every customer engagement.

FAQs

What is SASE?
Secure access service edge, or SASE, is a network architecture model that combines network and security-as-a-service functions in a cloud-based service. The SASE model is designed to simplify management and improve security for networks that are no longer bound by a traditional perimeter and where data, applications and resources may reside anywhere in the world. By making networking and security functions available as a service at the edge, SASE networks ensure secure access for remote workforces while more effectively protecting organizations from evolving cybersecurity threats.

What is security service edge?
Security service edge is the term used to describe the essential security functions of the SASE network. These include Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). Together, these technologies comprise 4 of the 5 core SASE components, with software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) being the 5th essential component.

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