What is Security Service Edge (SSE) in Cybersecurity?

What is Security Service Edge?

In its 2021 Roadmap for SASE Convergence research, Gartner presented Security Service Edge (SSE) as a new cybersecurity concept. SSE, according to Gartner, is a combination of integrated, cloud-centric security features that enables secure access to websites, SaaS apps, and private applications.

A comprehensive SSE solution gives provides organizations with the complete set of security technologies they need to provide secure remote access to applications, data, tools, and other corporate resources to employees, trusted partners, and contractors, as well as monitor and track behavior once users are on the network.

Following three essential services make up the secure service edge −

• A Secure Web Gateway (SWG) provides fast access to the internet and the web

• A Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) offers secure access to SaaS and cloud apps

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) provides secure remote access to private apps.

What Prompted the Need for SSE?

SSE is a developing industry trend that addresses fundamental organizational difficulties such as remote work, cloud computing, secure edge computing, and digital transformation.

Organizations' data spread beyond their on-premises data centers as they embrace software and infrastructure as a service offering, as well as other cloud apps. Furthermore, an increasing number of users are mobile and remote, accessing their cloud apps and data from anywhere, using any connection.

Traditional network security measures struggle to secure cloud apps and mobile users because of the following reasons −

• Legacy technologies can't track relationships between users and cloud apps since they're tied to the data center.

• Relaying on user traffic to a data center for the examination across a regular VPN slows things down.

• Traditional data center techniques are costly due to administration and hardware upkeep.

• Due to a lack of patching, VPNs are easy to hack. Worse, today's data center security stacks have evolved organically into complicated, difficult-to-integrate collections of point products. Because of this complexity, gaps exist between diverse security systems, raising the danger of sophisticated threats or ransomware assaults.

Advantages of SSE over Standard Network Security

SSE, which is delivered through a unified cloud-centric platform, allows businesses to break free from the constraints of traditional network security. SSE offers the following key benefits −

Better Risk Reduction

SSE makes it possible to supply cybersecurity without relying on a network. Security is provided through a cloud platform that can track the user-to-app connection no matter where it is made. By eliminating the gaps that typically exist between point products, delivering all security services in a single manner decreases risk.

SSE also enhances visibility for people and data across all channels, regardless of where they are. SSE also enforces security upgrades throughout the cloud without the lag time associated with human IT management.

Zero Trust Access

With a robust zero trust policy based on four factors: user, device, application, and content, SSE platforms (together with SASE) should provide least-privileged access from users to cloud or private apps. Access should be allowed based on identification and rules, not on the user's inherent trustworthiness. Since users are never placed on the network, securely connecting users and apps over the internet using business regulations delivers a more secure remote experience.

Threats can't move laterally in the meanwhile, and applications are safe behind the SSE platform. Apps aren't accessible to the internet, so they can't be detected, reducing the attack surface, enhancing security, and lowering business risk.

User Experience

SSE must be completely dispersed throughout a worldwide footprint of data centers, according to Gartner's definition. Instead of manufacturers hosting their SSE platforms on IaaS infrastructures, the finest SSE architectures are purpose-built for inspection in every data center.

Because content inspection – including TLS/SSL decryption and inspection – occurs where the end-user connects to the SSE cloud, the distributed design enhances speed and minimizes latency. This, along with peering throughout the SSE platform, provides the optimum experience for your mobile users. They don't have to rely on sluggish VPNs anymore, and access to apps in public and private clouds is quick and smooth.

Zero Trust Network Access

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) refers to a set of technologies that provide safe remote access to applications and services based on access control regulations. Unlike virtual private networks (VPNs), which offer full access to a LAN, ZTNA solutions default to refuse, allowing only access to services that the user has specifically authorized.

When it comes to the whole capability set that makes up a comprehensive SSE strategy, ZTNA offers a multi-layered, remote-access security solution with redundant tiers of inspection and enforcement, includin −

• Control and visibility from a central location − Know who has access to your data, where it's kept, and how sensitive it is - and monitor network activity if possible.

• Authentication based on identity − Based on fully adjustable authentication mechanisms, ZTNA technologies give users with precise least-privileged access. Network security experts may monitor user behaviour for malicious activities and evidence of credential theft, malware, and data loss even after access has been granted.

• Uniform Security Standards − Regardless of where the data is stored, enforce security policies on all corporate-owned and third-party apps.

• Role-based, granular access − Give a user access to only the info they need to do their job. Access should be restricted based on the type of device and the location from which it was connected.

• Post-Connect Threat Monitoring − If an attacker is still able to connect to the corporate network, ZTNA capabilities are still active and can detect an attacker based on their network activities.

Gateway to the Secure Web

In addition to establishing and enforcing business acceptable usage regulations, a Secure Web Gateway (SWG) protects users against online-based risks. Instead of connecting directly to the website, a user connects to the SWG, which subsequently connects the user to the required website and performs services including URL filtering, web visibility, harmful content inspection, web access restrictions, and other security measures.

When users are removed from the company VPN, SWGs are a crucial aspect of a comprehensive SSE strategy as they offer users with safe internet access.

Furthermore, SWGs allow companies to −

• Use acceptable regulations to block access to unsuitable websites or material.

• Make internet access safer, they should enforce their security regulations.

• Assist in the prevention of illegal data transfer.

In addition to establishing and enforcing business acceptable usage regulations, a secure web gateway (SWG) protects users against online-based risks. Instead of connecting directly to a website, a user connects to the SWG, which subsequently connects the user to the website and performs services including URL filtering, web visibility, harmful content inspection, web access restrictions, and other security measures.

When users are removed from the company VPN, SWGs are a crucial aspect of a comprehensive SSE strategy since they offer users with safe internet access.