Network edge security

The challenges of network edge security

As enterprise computing environments have become more distributed, IT teams have been tasked with a new priority: network edge security. The traditional corporate perimeter has disappeared as compute requirements have been pushed to the edge, and enterprises must now protect users, devices and applications that may reside anywhere in the world. Remote workers are using an increasing variety of personal devices and they may connect to the network over home networks, public WiFi hotspots and other unsecured connections. At the same time, cyber threats are constantly proliferating and becoming more sophisticated. To ensure edge security, IT teams need powerful network edge security solutions that deliver comprehensive protection, greater visibility and expert assistance.

Spectrum Enterprise can help. Offering multiple managed services solutions and a team of network and security experts, Spectrum Enterprise is uniquely qualified as a partner to help keep networks running efficiently while ensuring edge security.

Components of network edge security

To ensure security in the cloud, at remote locations and at the network’s edge, many enterprises are adopting the SASE security framework, a collection of networking and security technologies that enables every user to securely access the network from any location, on any device.
 

SASE comprises five essential security technologies:

• Software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) technology allows organizations to provision secure, flexible networking to people and devices at the network edge with a variety of networking functions.
• Secure Web Gateway (SWG) technology filters web traffic to block unwanted content, prevent unauthorized user behavior and enforce security policies across the network.
• Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) perform a variety of security tasks including managing authentication, encryption, malware detection and policy enforcement.
• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) offers protection for cloud-based platforms and applications by filtering URLs, detecting intrusions and managing security policies uniformly across all network traffic.
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) prevents unauthorized access, contains breaches and limits lateral movement by requiring all users and devices to be continually authenticated before access is granted to network resources.

Network edge security with Spectrum Enterprise

Spectrum Enterprise Cloud Security is a managed services offering that delivers the superior technology, expertise and support for securing the entire network, from cloud to edge. Combining SASE technologies with proven, identity-centric security solutions, Cloud Security simplifies network edge security by ensuring secure access and protecting the organization from a wide range of cyber threats.
 

With Spectrum Enterprise Cloud Security, IT teams can:

• See the network more clearly. This cloud-based network security solution provides full visibility and control into data, usage and access in the cloud and at the edge. IT teams can enjoy visibility to endpoint devices and device activity while easily enforcing network compliance regulations and guidelines.
• Support the remote workforce. With Cloud Security, organizations can establish secure access policies by user and device, regardless of location, ensuring that workers have access to the resources they need at the edge.
• Enhance cloud performance. By eliminating the need to backhaul traffic to a central data center to apply security policies, Cloud Security reduces latency at the edge while ensuring high performance as users connect with cloud-based software.
• Defend against a wide range of security threats. Cloud Security provides IT teams with detailed insight into malicious URLs, domains and IPs, along with real-time context on threats like phishing and malware. MFA capabilities enforce strong authentication to prevent data breaches and lateral movement.
• Simplify management. Spectrum Enterprise Cloud Security allows IT teams to deploy and manage security technologies using a single cloud-based portal to reduce complexity.

Comprehensive security solutions

Along with Cloud Security, Spectrum Enterprise offers several managed services that provide advanced edge fiber solutions for security and networking.

• Enterprise Network Edge helps large-scale organizations transition to hybrid network architecture built around advanced SD-WAN technologies while providing advanced security in the cloud and at the edge. Delivered over the Fortinet platform, Enterprise Network Edge is a fully managed and integrated solution that strengthens the security of networks with automated updates, managed firewalls and unified threat management (UTM).
• Managed Network Edge is a secure, turnkey solution for network edge security, routing, WiFi, SD-WAN, remote access and more. Delivered over the Cisco Meraki platform, Managed Network Edge delivers complete visibility of security events and threats while ensuring that networks are up-to-date and secure, and that critical business applications get top priority.
• Managed Security Services help IT teams protect against cybersecurity threats with a fully managed and maintained security and firewall solution. Spectrum Enterprise experts handle all software updates and security patches, simplify compliance with industry and government regulations, and help streamline operations and standardize protection and VPNs across all locations.

Why Spectrum Enterprise?

Spectrum Enterprise is a national provider of scalable, fiber technology solutions and high-capacity network services. When working with Spectrum Enterprise, organizations can count on: 

• Responsive support. Our technologies are supported by 24/7/365 client care and offers a 100% guarantee uptime service-level agreement (SLA).¹
• A consultative approach. Our teams work with our clients to plan, develop, deploy and support the connectivity solutions they need to meet their goals.
• Exceptional uptime. Our nationwide fiber network delivers the speed, efficiency and security that enterprises need to compete.
• Scalable solutions. Spectrum Enterprise solutions can scale and evolve to support digital transformation and network modernization – without costly changes to infrastructure.

FAQs

What is the network edge?
The network edge is where devices or local area networks (LANs) connect to the internet. As the entry point to a network, the edge is an important security boundary. It’s also a place where organizations are increasingly moving computing resources like data processing and storage to latency and increase performance by keeping data closer to the users, devices and applications that need it.

What is network edge security?
Network edge security is the technologies, protocols and policies that help to protect data, devices and users at the edge of the network. Network edge security, or WAN edge security, often combines firewalls, web filtering, malware detection, intrusion detection, identity and access management, multifactor authentication and other security technologies.

¹100% uptime SLA guarantee applies only to Dedicated Fiber Internet, Secure Dedicated Fiber Internet, Ethernet Services, Cloud Connect and Enterprise Trunking.