This blog is the first in a three-part series that details using security service edge (SSE) to modernize enterprise cybersecurity.
In this blog, we will focus on how SSE can secure a hybrid workforce in which users are connecting both from the office and remote locations while accessing applications that reside either in the data center or in the cloud.
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SSE Insights: How to Secure Hybrid Workforce
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▶SSE is a new framework introduced by Gartner in 2021, that breaks network configuration from security capabilities. Under the security capabilities, three key solutions—ZTNA, CASB, and SWG—are consolidated into one offering, now named SSE.
Zscaler was recently named as the leader in the first-ever Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Security Service Edge 2022, as the highest in the ability to execute.
Modernization with hybrid work
The last few years has seen a seismic shift in people working remotely. Outdated technology like VPNs and firewalls are meant to secure corporate networks, while accessing applications mostly residing in the data center. VPNs and firewalls solved issues relating to app access when there were stipulations around where employees worked and where applications were hosted. In recent times, a collective workforce that includes employees, third party contractors, and suppliers are not limited by their location. The last two years have accelerated this, with the continuous evolution and adoption of work-from-anywhere. A recent survey by PWC suggests as many as 78% of employees prefer a hybrid work approach for their future work.
In addition to workplace modernization, digital transformation has been a main point of discussion, especially in the last decade. Organizations moving applications to the cloud have seen several benefits of scale and reduction in complexity and cost. Gartner analysts said that more than 85% of organizations will embrace a cloud-first principle by 2025. As a stopgap, many organizations have used VPNs to provide these mobile users application access, and in doing so have been backhauling traffic, resulting in poor user experience and connectivity issues.
As workplace modernization continues with the adoption of hybrid work and SaaS, security solutions need to be able to keep up.
The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange is the industry’s most complete platform to secure a hybrid workforce
Zscaler provides a comprehensive security solution allowing organizations to confidently embrace hybrid work. The Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange provides a platform that unifies the SSE components required to securely access private apps, SaaS apps, and the internet. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) works on the principle of least-privileged access, providing application access only to authorized and authenticated users and safeguarding private apps. The platform offers a cloud access security broker (CASB) to safely access SaaS apps by enabling granular data protection and access policies, even preventing the possibility of internal threats.
The secure web gateway (SWG) capabilities of the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange offer secure internet connections without degrading user experience.
The three main components to consider for a well-rounded solution for hybrid work are:
- Reducing attack surface by making applications invisible to the internet, and allowing access only to authorized users or devices; preventing attackers from discovering them.
- Stopping lateral movement by connecting users and devices directly to apps without ever exposing the network.
- Providing superior user experience with fast, direct access to apps, without connecting the user to the network and enforcing policy at the edge closest to the user.
Zscaler provides a comprehensive offering to secure applications no matter where users are connecting from. Get started on your zero trust journey with Zscaler.
Zscaler Security Service Edge can help you protect your hybrid workforce. To learn what real-world customers have to say about Zscaler, check out our latest SSE infographic.
Stay tuned for two more blogs in our SSE series to learn how to stop data breaches and ransomware.