Secure access service edge

Simplifying Experiences with a Platform Approach to SASE

At Cisco Live in Las Vegas, we shared some exciting news and announcements about what Cisco is doing to lay the groundwork to be the connectivity and security provider for the world. The need to deliver unified experiences that are simple, secure, and predictable to solve operational complexity and simplify IT emerged as a strong theme. I touched on this in my last blog about the importance of leveraging unified secure access service edge (SASE) to help deliver those unified experiences. The need for simplicity through unified SASE has never been greater. At least 41% of IT leaders say their biggest obstacle is securing user access to cloud-based applications and mobile devices or cloud-based solutions, according to our latest Global Networking Trends Report.1
Answering that call, I am happy to share that we are making significant strides forward in advancing Cisco+ Secure Connect, our unified SASE solution to help our customers streamline and simplify operations. Our platform approach to SASE seamlessly converges the networking and security domains into one, which makes securing user access, anywhere, easy.

Extending the Simplified, Unified SASE Experience

We recognize that IT has a critical need for consistency and end-to-end understanding of what access policies are in place across the network. That is why Cisco+ Secure Connect is taking another step forward in evolving unified SASE with the inclusion of unified policy sync and unified intent-based access to further simplify the IT experience.
Unified policy sync seamlessly brings together enterprise edge and cloud edge policies in one powerful platform, managed by one dashboard. This provides IT teams with a single interface to configure and control policies in one place across premises to the cloud, delivering a more streamlined experience, improving security posture, and increasing operational efficiencies.
The magic of unified policy involves the convergence of policy constructs across multiple places, using centralized management for distributed enforcement. IT admins can now set a policy based on intent, and it will be enforced across the cloud edge and the enterprise edge without having to manage multiple policies for different environments. Alternative solutions might claim to send all traffic to the cloud edge where policies are enforced, but with Cisco+ Secure Connect there is no need to send it all since it can be enforced at the most optimal location, as close as it can be to the user or the app, leading to better resource utilization, and ultimately, a better end-user experience.

Great Opportunities Ahead for SASE

Cisco’s SASE vision combines our market-leading networking, client connectivity, security, and visibility capabilities into a single subscription service, Cisco+ Secure Connect. This Cisco SASE platform enables secure access to any application, over any network, anywhere users work. Much like the engine that powers a car, security service edge (SSE) is the cloud security engine that powers Cisco unified SASE. As we continue to improve the security engine, the car will improve its performance, and our customers will seamlessly benefit from the added value. During Cisco Live, Cisco announced its new SSE solution, Cisco Secure Access, which converges cloud-native security in one platform.
In the coming year, Cisco+ Secure Connect will gain new security capabilities through enhancements to Cisco Secure Access. Evolving this core building block of our SASE architecture will power Cisco+ Secure Connect to deliver outcomes our customers need, including greater resiliency, efficiency, improved security posture, and seamless experiences from anywhere.

The Important Role of Managed Service Providers

Through key partners like Lumen Technologies and Spectrum Enterprise, a part of Charter Communications, Inc., more customers can benefit from simplified experiences through a unified offering as they embark on their SASE journey. Both partners recently announced the addition of Cisco unified SASE to their security portfolio, helping reach more customers wherever they are on the path to simpler, secure connectivity.
Cisco+ Secure Connect empowers managed service providers to accelerate time to service and deliver faster value to their customers by removing the typical technical and commercial complexities of integrating multiple discrete products to deliver a service. This simple yet powerful turnkey SASE solution unifies the IT experience and elevates the end-user experience by tightly integrating SD-WAN, remote worker connectivity, next-generation firewalls, secure web gateways, and zero-trust network access. This delivers a consistent operational model and a single interface that dramatically increases operational efficiency for managed service providers and customers alike.

6 steps to simplify your SASE journey

Cloud Compute

The advent of cloud computing has been hugely beneficial in this endeavor. But it’s not without its challenges – most notably, the move from on-premise network environments to virtual, cloud-based architectures that can deliver access to services anywhere and anytime.

Furthermore, addressing the ramifications of cloud adoption upon an organization’s cybersecurity posture can be challenging, particularly as users move beyond the protected corporate firewall and into distributed and remote workplace scenarios. As enterprises seek to enable similar security controls and compliance levels to their previous circumstances of predominantly on-premise environments and centralized workforces, they are realizing the need to move to truly borderless security architecture.
Nowadays, many applications have moved to the cloud, but continuing to support security through data center firewalls can result in unacceptable latencies and congestion. The issue is compounded by the increasing numbers of remote workers, as well as the rise of edge-centric computing.
As enterprises struggle to secure their networks, while maintaining performance, many are deploying Secure access service edge (SASE) solutions.

Introducing SASE

SASE refers to a convergence of network and security platforms to create a secure edge solution in which to service cloud-based environments. SASE is an approach, not a product. It involves taking the heavily weighed network security features and managing them in the cloud, away from the corporate network boundaries – and by doing so, delivers lower latency and higher network performance. Ultimately improving the experience for both users and customers.
What does this look like in practice? For remote workers, it means defining security policies based on user, device, network, and location. Ensuring users are always authenticated, with the right security policies, even when they’re not connecting via VPN.
Sounds compelling – if a little complex – right? But the way to SASE is surprisingly simple. Here are our six steps to set you on the right track.

Align

Successful technology adoption always requires alignment between the business vision and IT strategy.  Based on your business priorities, you may choose to take a phased approach, or perhaps you’re looking at a complete transformation.

 Assess

Next, assess your current set-up, including environmental limitations and market regulations. Consider your organization’s risk appetite and identify your SASE use cases. Don’t forget – this will likely be a big change for your teams, so you need to bring them along for the ride. The SASE methodology needs to be well understood to be able to review current challenges and determine the experience and adoption objectives of the go-forward model.

Prepare

Next, assess your current set-up, including environmental limitations and market regulations. Consider your organization’s risk appetite and identify your SASE use cases. Don’t forget – this will likely be a big change for your teams, so you need to bring them along for the ride. The SASE methodology needs to be well understood to be able to review current challenges and determine the experience and adoption objectives of the go-forward model.

Choose the right partner

If you’re looking for a partner, you’ll be navigating a saturated market. Do your due diligence in relevant evaluation areas. For example, do they have the geographic coverage and scale that you need? Do they offer the right technology and interoperability to meet your SASE goals? Diving into secure access service edge  How substantive are their cybersecurity credentials?  

Test

Last but not least, implement your governance plan, monitor adoption, review constantly, and calibrate. SASE is new, and is continuing to evolve – so this isn’t a set-and-forget process.

Deploy

Successful technology adoption always requires alignment between the business vision and IT strategy.  Based on your business priorities, you may choose to take a phased approach, or perhaps you’re looking at a complete transformation.

What’s Next?

If you’re ready to get started on your SASE journey, Lumen can help. We have one of the largest networks in the world, Lumen is named a Leader in the 2021 Gartner® Magic Quadrant for Network Services, Global[1] and we have supported enterprises globally to achieve their SASE potential.

I recently held a webinar with a member of my team on this topic.  This could be of interest to those seeking to learn more about SASE adoption.  Alternatively, you can get in touch with us to arrange a SASE consultation with one of our technical experts.

6 steps to simplified SASE adoption Webinar

A platform approach to SASE offers a powerful solution for modern businesses seeking to simplify their networking and security infrastructure. By consolidating services into a unified platform, organizations can enhance their security posture, improve user experiences, and position themselves for scalability and growth in an increasingly interconnected world. 

Why is SASE necessary?

A Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope (SASE) is necessary for various reasons. Firstly, it simplifies the process of communication by providing a convenient way for the recipient to respond to your request or inquiry. When you include a SASE with your initial communication, you eliminate the need for the recipient to spend time and resources on preparing an envelope and affixing postage. Secondly, a SASE ensures that your communication reaches its destination efficiently. Without a SASE, the recipient might have to take extra steps to arrange for postage or an envelope, potentially leading to delays in their response. By providing a pre-addressed envelope with proper postage, you increase the likelihood of receiving a timely and accurate response. Lastly, including a SASE showcases your professionalism and consideration. It indicates that you value the recipient's response enough to facilitate the process for them. This can enhance your image and reputation, whether you're dealing with professional inquiries, requests for information, or other types of correspondence. In summary, a SASE is necessary because it streamlines communication, ensures timely delivery, and demonstrates professionalism and consideration. It's a small yet effective way to facilitate effective and respectful correspondence.