Do you need help with Cybersecurity?
If you’re still relying on traditional VPNs for your business security, it might be time to think about an upgrade. This video dives into a newer technology called SASE (pronounced "sassy"), which is essentially the next generation of VPNs, offering a much more robust security solution.
Key Takeaways
- SASE creates a secure, isolated "bubble" around your IT systems.
- It allows for granular control over who can access what, and from where.
- SASE can block risky devices and prevent access to suspicious websites.
- It provides network-level security, making it harder for attackers to move laterally within your systems.
- SASE can verify device health (patching, antivirus, encryption) before granting access.
- It offers better control over internet traffic, blocking malicious sites and newly registered domains.
- While it has a cost, the enhanced security layer is often considered well worth the investment.
The Problem with Traditional VPNs
Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, have been around for a while. They’re designed to let people connect remotely to an office network. Think of them like a tunnel into your company’s systems. The issue, however, is that once someone gets through that tunnel, they often have a lot of access. It’s a bit like an armadillo – a tough outer shell, but soft and vulnerable inside. This is why we see so many big companies getting hacked; once attackers have user credentials, they can easily move around the network and access sensitive data.
Introducing SASE: A Secure Bubble
SASE, or Secure Access Service Edge, is a newer approach. Instead of just a tunnel, imagine creating a secure bubble around your entire IT infrastructure. Software is installed on each device, and this creates a virtual boundary. Everything outside this bubble is the internet, and everything inside is your protected network. This bubble doesn’t care where you are in the world; it’s all about secure access.
What’s really clever about SASE is the level of control it gives you. You can set specific rules. For example, your finance team might be able to access finance servers, but the construction crew can’t – ever. This isn’t just about user permissions; it’s enforced at the network layer, making it much more secure than traditional methods.
Enhanced Security Checks
SASE also allows for much more rigorous security checks before granting access. You can link it to your Microsoft credentials, for instance, but it goes further. It can check if your device is up-to-date with patches, if the antivirus is running, if it has the necessary security tools installed, and if it meets all the criteria for being a trusted member of your network. It can even check for disk encryption. If a device doesn’t meet these standards, it simply can’t log on.
Controlling Internet Traffic
Beyond just securing access to your internal network, SASE also helps manage your internet traffic. Instead of just routing everything back through your network, you can control where traffic goes on the wider internet. For example, you can block traffic to newly registered domain names, which are often used for malicious purposes, or prevent access to known "dark" websites. These are capabilities that basic VPNs just don’t offer.
Cost and Conclusion
Now, about the cost. Generally, SASE can range from about £5 to £15 per user per month. It might sound like a significant expense, but the layer of protection it provides is substantial. Once you have that secure bubble, it becomes incredibly difficult for hackers to get in. And if they do manage to breach one part, their movement within your network is severely restricted because everything is isolated.
When combined with other technologies like virtual networks and cloud data controls, SASE offers a powerful security posture. The reality is, VPNs just aren’t secure enough anymore for most businesses. It’s time to seriously consider moving to a SASE solution to keep your systems safe.
