By Jaye Tillson, Field CTO, Distinguished Technologist, HPE Aruba Networking

The security landscape has undergone a dramatic shift. Gone are the days of a secure castle protected by a moat - our users are now hybrid, working from anywhere on any device. This distributed workforce demands a new approach to security, one that transcends the limitations of traditional, on-premise solutions. Enter Security Service Edge (SSE).

SSE represents a paradigm shift, offering a cloud-delivered security stack that empowers organizations to secure user access to web applications, SaaS platforms, and private applications, regardless of location. However, not all SSE solutions are created equal. Here's why choosing the right vendor with exemplary architecture is paramount.

The Power of Cloud-Native Architecture

The foundation of a robust SSE solution is a cloud-native architecture. Legacy, on-premise solutions need help to keep pace with the ever-evolving threat landscape and the demands of a distributed workforce. Cloud-based solutions, on the other hand, offer several key advantages:

• Redundancy and Resilience: A global network of geographically dispersed data centers ensures service continuity even during outages. Your security never sleeps, and your users remain protected.
• Performance and User Experience: By strategically placing security functions closer to users, cloud-based SSE minimizes latency and delivers a seamless user experience-no more waiting for security scans to complete before accessing critical applications.
• Scalability and Agility: Cloud architecture allows for effortless scaling up or down of security resources -costly upfront hardware investments and the need to upgrade on-premise solutions constantly.

Consolidation is Key - Avoid a Frankenstein's Monster of Security

Many vendors offer cobbled-together SSE solutions formed through acquisitions or separate product lines. While this approach might seem cost-effective at first glance, it creates a fragmented security stack with inherent limitations:

• Complexity: Managing a patchwork of security tools with disparate interfaces and functionalities creates a burden for IT teams. Troubleshooting becomes a time-consuming nightmare.
• Visibility Gaps: Disparate solutions often need more centralized logging and management, hindering your ability to gain a holistic view of security posture and identify potential threats.
• Integration Challenges: Connecting Frankenstein's monster of security tools can be a complex and error-prone process, leaving security gaps or creating bottlenecks in your security workflow.

Zero Trust - The Core of Modern Security

Zero Trust is not just a buzzword - it's the foundation for secure access in today's hybrid work environment. A proper SSE solution should integrate Zero Trust principles into its core functionality. Least Privilege Access: Users only get the level of access they need to perform their tasks, minimizing the potential damage from a compromised account.

• Continuous Authentication: Continuous verification of user identity and access permissions ensures unauthorized access is detected and prevented.
• Context-Aware Security: The solution considers factors like user location, device type, and application access to determine the appropriate level of security scrutiny.

Beyond Remote Access - A Holistic Security Approach

While Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a crucial component of SSE, it's only part of the story. A comprehensive SSE solution goes beyond securing remote access to applications. It offers additional layers of protection:

• Secure Web Gateway (SWG): SWG filters out malicious content and malware from web traffic, providing an essential first line of defense against internet-borne threats.
• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): CASB enforces security policies and data loss prevention for cloud applications, ensuring your sensitive data doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

Digital Experience Monitoring - Visibility in a Hybrid World

In the traditional, on-premise model, IT had complete visibility into user activity within the network perimeter. However, traditional monitoring tools struggle to keep pace with a dispersed workforce. Here's where digital experience monitoring (DEM) comes in:

• Real-Time Visibility into User Experience: DEM provides insights into user experience metrics such as application performance and latency, identifying and troubleshooting issues before they significantly impact productivity.
• Identifying Security Issues: DEM can also help detect security-related slowdowns caused by malware or internet threats, enabling IT to take proactive measures.

Choosing the Right SSE Vendor - A Secure Future Awaits

The benefits of SSE are undeniable. However, reaping its full potential hinges on choosing the right vendor. Look for a vendor who offers a cloud-native, consolidated SSE solution built on Zero Trust principles. Ensure it offers comprehensive protection with SWG and CASB functionalities, and remember the importance of digital experience monitoring to maintain user productivity and security posture.

Investing in the right SSE solution can empower your hybrid workforce with secure access to critical resources while improving user experience and reducing your attack surface. Here's what you can achieve with the right SSE solution:

• Simplified Security Management: A unified solution translates to a single interface for managing security policies, user access, and threat detection across your organization freeing up valuable IT resources for more strategic initiatives.
• Reduced Costs: Eliminate the need for expensive, on-premise hardware and fragmented security tools. Cloud-based SSE offers a cost-effective, scalable solution that grows with your business.
• Improved Agility: With a cloud-native architecture, you can adapt your security posture quickly and efficiently to evolving threats and new business requirements. You won't have to wait for lengthy hardware deployments or software updates.
• Enhanced Security Posture: By consolidating security functionalities and implementing Zero Trust principles, you significantly reduce the attack surface and improve your overall security posture.

The Road to a Secure Future

The transition to a secure and productive hybrid workforce demands a modern approach to security. Security Service Edge, built on the proper foundation, offers a powerful solution for enterprises of all sizes.

By prioritizing cloud-native architecture, consolidated functionality, Zero Trust principles, and holistic threat protection, you can empower your users and embrace a secure future in a cloud-first world.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jaye Tillson, Field CTO and Distinguished Technologist - Security at HPE brings over 25 years of invaluable expertise in successfully implementing strategic global technology programs. With a keen focus on digital transformation, Jaye has been pivotal in guiding numerous organizations through their zero-trust journey, enabling them to flourish in today's dynamic digital landscape.

His passion lies in collaborating with enterprises, aiding them in their strategic pursuit of zero trust. Jaye takes pride in applying his real-world experience to tackle critical issues and challenges faced by these businesses.

As a renowned expert in the field, Jaye has showcased his thought leadership at prestigious industry conferences such as Gartner, VMWorld, Evanta, IDC, and .Next. Further validating his expertise, he participates on advisor boards for leading companies including VMware, Nutanix, CIOnet, and Proofpoint.

Jaye is also the co-founder of the SSE Forum and co-host of its popular podcast, 'The Edge,' where he delves into topics such as cybersecurity, the role of the CISO, SASE, SSE, and Zero Trust. This platform allows him to engage with a wider audience, fostering meaningful discussions on industry trends and innovations.

Additionally, Jaye actively contributes as a member of the CSA Zero Trust Working Group, serves as a board member of the CSA UK Chapter, and acts as an Advisor for Infosec.live.

For more information, visit his website at https://jayetillson.tech/.