In today’s world, modern businesses are facing a new set of complexities because of a rising number of remotely working employees and the adaptation of cloud services.
These variables make corporate networks more challenging to safeguard against cyber attacks. A corporation can’t secure end-points in decentralized network perimeters and cloud environments with legacy security infrastructures. Legacy security approaches are out-of-date and highly inefficient to cope with modern-day complexities.
In short, relying on these legacy infrastructures can expose corporations to numerous cyber threats, and cause data breaches. For these reasons, implementing modern cybersecurity solutions has become a necessity for all sizes of businesses. Today, the cybersecurity market offers really advanced and sophisticated security solutions that will help businesses handle modern complexities and enable robust security for all kinds of corporate assets. In this regard, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), Identity Access Management (IAM), Remote Access VPNs, and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) can be named top cybersecurity solutions for corporations in 2022. Let’s start by explaining what is SASE?
1- Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is the most advanced security and networking architecture in the cloud computing market. SASE has been gaining momentum among businesses since 2019, and it has become a go-to solution for businesses who want to center security and networking features on the cloud. Because SASE architecture performs as a service in the cloud. This architecture consists of five main components, and these are SD-WAN as service, Firewall as Service (FWaaS), Secure Web Gateway (SGW), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB). SD-WAN is the networking tool in the architecture and it provides secure remote access to employees regardless of their locations. Additionally, SD-WAN improves network performance by choosing the shortest paths and best ways to connect users to corporate networks and resources.
Before enabling access, the ZTNA framework authenticates users’ identities via MFA, biometrics, and single sign-on (SSO) tools. On top of this, Zero Trust enables robust network security by using network segmentation and enforcing the least privilege principle. SGW and FWaaS components of SASE secure and monitor cloud the perimeter, and try to maintain free-flow traffic in these environments. Meanwhile, CASB monitors and controls all data transfers between applications and users, and enforces all required security policies. In short, SASE architecture has multi-layer security features which help businesses secure all end and edge points, users, applications, devices, and corporate data.
2- Identity Access Management
Identity and Access Management (IAM) are essential tools to manage access control, authorization, and authentication within a network infrastructure and perimeter. IAM tools enable administrators to construct identities and assign specific privileges in access to certain company resources, data and applications accordingly. It allows granular control and visibility across the network by authorizing users and devices and verifying their identities. Full visibility of networks and all ongoing activities is a crucial element for security.
IAM technology helps to restrict lateral movement and mitigate attack surface and offers instant control if a breach occurs. Administrators can assign role-based privileges and analyze log-ins, access requests, and user activities in real time. With IAM tools, unauthorized access and unauthenticated properties are blocked to tightly secure networks. IAM tools enable administrators to restrict user activity with company resources, data, and applications. In other words, you can limit what can be done with specific resources for authorized employees. This feature greatly reduces the attack surface and the damage of cyberattacks in case data is breached. Also, IAM technology enables the automation of access control.
Network security can be managed with pre-defined parameters and set rules for specific access assets. For instance, the verification of identities with specific access levels can be automated with advanced authentication technologies and procedures. IAM tools use modern authentication tools such as biometrics, multi-factor authentication (MFA), SSO, and so on. Additionally, IAM tools help companies to stay compliant with the latest compliance standards and regulations with access certification management.
3- Remote Access VPN
Remote Access VPN is one of the best solutions to enable online anonymity, privacy, secure remote access, and robust data protection. Remote Access VPN solution is really cost-efficient and scalable, and it can be rapidly deployed as these have user-end configuration. So, you don’t need an on-premise setup to use this VPN solution. Remote Access VPNs operate by creating private tunnels and connections between corporate resources and the users to securely connect them.
While building connections, Remote Access VPN doesn’t allow third-party individuals to track users. Additionally, even when employees use improperly safeguarded Wifi networks, Remote Access VPN still accomplishes secure remote access. While using this VPN, it is almost impossible for cybercriminals to spy on your business’s internal activities. Additionally, Remote Access VPNs establish enhanced data protection by using end-to-end encryption. Because whenever a user sends a document, Remote Access VPN encrypts this data, and during transfers, encrypted data looks meaningless and illogical. When data arrives at its destination, Remote Access VPN decrypts this data for authorized receivers. By encrypting the data in transit, this VPN prevents data loss and enables robust data protection.
4- Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Data loss prevention plays a crucial role in maintaining and strengthening the network security of businesses. As its name suggests, DLP is a system that ensures sensitive or confidential data remains unleaked and isn’t misused and lost. DLP software detects and blocks unauthorized access with a set of security policies and regulations. Data loss prevention aims to prevent any malicious data transmissions and confidential information from leaving network boundaries. Data leaks can occur by insider threats, cyber attacks such as phishing and malware, and negligent data exposure. DLP tools prevent these potential leaks from happening and ensure the safety of sensitive data within a network.
5. FIDO (Fast Identity Online)
FIDO authentication is a passwordless authentication standard that uses biometrics or security keys instead of passwords. It is more secure than passwords since it relies on things you have (like fingerprints) or things you are (like face or iris scans) rather than something you know that can be guessed. FIDO prevents phishing and eliminates the risks of stolen, weak, or reused passwords. Overall, FIDO authentication strengthens online security and privacy by leveraging built-in biometrics or external security keys for logging in.
Data loss prevention software detects violations of policies and helps companies adhere to regulatory security compliances such as HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS, etc. When a policy violation is detected by DLP software, protective actions like alerts and encryption are enforced to ensure the cybersecurity of networks and prevent any data leakage. Additionally, data loss prevention software enables companies to stay compliant, inspect requirements, and conduct a vulnerability assessment to identify weaknesses in the system. Overall, data loss prevention software is implemented for personal information protection, compliance, IP protection, and full visibility of networks.
Last Remarks
With a growing number of cybersecurity solutions, it is necessary to choose the best one for your business. With Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), Identity Access Management technology, remote access VPN and Data Loss Prevention (DLP), corporations can establish solid security across their network and its perimeter and prevent invasion of privacy, and data breaches while staying compliant with the latest regulations.
About the Author
Mark Jefferies is a staff writer and his intriguing stories explore how new technology can take an organization’s performance to new heights. After hours, Mark enjoys hiking and discovering the unknown!
