Every journey starts with one step. Whether that step is the first toward climbing a mountain or launching the campaign to keep your organization safe from cyberthreats, it’s important just to take that first step forward.
You might not want to hear this, but cyberthreats are becoming more advanced and attackers are using new techniques to exploit vulnerabilities and breach targeted networks.
Even more challenging? The worldwide shortage of qualified security professionals is a trend that will continue for the foreseeable future.
More advanced attacks and fewer qualified security professionals are an ongoing risk for organizations trying to do the right thing by protecting their remote, mobile, and roaming users with various siloed security tools that add cost, and complexity and frustrate employees. This may sound like too much to conquer, but we can help you take that first step forward to protect your networks and users.
In its August 2019 report, The Future of Network Security Is in the Cloud, Gartner defined the secure access service edge (SASE) concept as “an emerging offering combining comprehensive [wide area network] capabilities with comprehensive network security functions (such as SWG, [cloud access security broker], [firewall as a service] and [zero trust network access]) to support the dynamic secure access needs of digital enterprises.”
What does this all mean? It means the SASE concept combines several networking and security capabilities and functions normally carried in multiple, siloed point solutions into a single, fully integrated cloud-native platform.
SASE is a broad concept and to keep things simple, you should look for a flexible way to get started and make demonstrable progress toward your organization’s goals. Cisco Umbrella’s SASE security components can simplify the process.
10 key takeaways for SASE success
Check out the ten key takeaways from our newest ebook Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) for Dummies to help set you up for success on your security journey:
1. More remote offices and roaming users
The number of remote offices, mobile, and roaming users is increasing; these users are some of the most likely targets for an attacker. Because these remote and roaming users may not have access to a local IT resource, they may be less likely to contact the help desk or security team when an issue arises.
2. DIA is the new normal
More organizations are providing direct Internet access (DIA) broadband links for their remote, branch, and roaming users so they can access their software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications without the slow performance and latency linked with backhauling traffic to a corporate office.
3. SaaS apps are taking over
Once limited to personal apps that employees downloaded to their smartphones, SaaS apps have become core business tools supporting vital functions within the modern digital workplace.
4. The old way of networking is slow and expensive
Backhauling traffic to a corporate headend is inefficient and complex.
5. Network architecture is meeting new demands
SD-WAN as a standalone networking solution is great for solving enterprise networking challenges, particularly in remote and branch locations, enabling organizations to set up new sites quickly.
6. Look for a solution that reduces cost and complexity
To overcome cost and performance issues, many organizations are adopting a more decentralized networking approach to optimize performance.
7. Don’t compromise on network performance
The user experience is what drives successful adoption of digital initiatives in an organization. Ensure network and security platforms can provide the performance (and security) users need to stay productive – whether they are remote, roaming, or at a branch office.
8. Always keep security top-of-mind
Cyberthreats like phishing and ransomware are becoming more prevalent and difficult to spot. Organized crime and nation-states initiate far more advanced attacks that can take years to detect and remove.
9. Make life easier for your operations team
Attract and retain top talent by enabling innovative networking and security solutions that combine functionality in a single, cloud-delivered platform.
10. Every journey starts with a single step
A fully integrated SD-WAN and cloud-native security solution can help organizations address the networking and security challenges of the digital workplace. Secure access service edge (SASE) products provide advanced networking and security functionality that allows enterprise networking and security teams the confidence to build out networks with the agility that modern businesses require.
Be sure to check out all our blogs in the SASE for Dummies series:
- Top 10 networking and security trends and challenges
- How networking and cloud security solutions have evolved to connect and protect users everywhere
- How to address cybersecurity challenges in the cloud era with SASE
- What goes into the secure access service edge (SASE) solution
Here’s to taking that first step forward, and to all the success that will follow!
