The Technology Landscape in 2024
Cybersecurity. Networking. Cloud adoption. Remote and hybrid work. These were the leading technology initiatives that we worked with our customers to develop or strengthen in 2023. And it’s clear that these will be key themes in 2024 as well.
While a large percentage of workers were forced to work remotely during the COVID pandemic, the trend since then has revealed that a hybrid work environment is here to stay. As indicated in a recent study from Gallup (see chart below), hybrid work is preferred by more than half of employees (whose positions can accommodate it). Moreover, over one-third of employees prefer to work exclusively remote. With more than 75% of the U.S. workforce spending part or all of their time working away from traditional office spaces, organizations must prepare their network and security infrastructure to account for the risks and requirements of remote and hybrid work.
Likewise, with the increased dependence on cloud services, SaaS applications, IoT devices, and other emerging technologies demands on organizations’ networks and security stack are greater than ever. Outdated architecture can lead to performance bottlenecks and security vulnerabilities that damage employee experience, productivity, and satisfaction while simultaneously putting the organization at risk. That’s where SASE comes in—a cloud-based IT framework that natively blends remote connectivity with next-gen security practices.
What is SASE?
SASE stands for Secure Access Service Edge, and it joins networking and security functions in “a single platform that securely connects all users, devices, and applications across the globally distributed workforce.” It combines WAN Edge Services (SD-WAN) and Security Service Edge (ZTNA, SWG, CASB, and DEM) to allow users, devices, and servers to connect safely and flexibly from any location over any transport method. (Source)
Unified SASE: The Next Step Up
Unified SASE streamlines the adoption of the SASE framework by merging the SD-WAN and SSE components into an all-encompassing, single-vendor solution. The benefits of this solution include fewer management pains, a consistent security posture, better user experience, and significant cost savings.
For example, unified SASE solutions speed up threat detection and response times by utilizing the same security principles and centralized access controls to all traffic and locations. Furthermore, by taking a combined approach to addressing networking and security challenges, organizations inherently eliminate inefficiencies and promote collaboration between the two teams. A unified SASE solution can also automatically route traffic across the fastest or lowest latency paths, so end-users enjoy a seamless and resilient connection. IT admins can also rest assured that their systems are safe regardless of where the users are connecting from thanks to zero trust policies, layer 7 traffic inspection, content filtering, malware prevention, and more. This approach also eliminates the need to open inbound ports on firewalls which helps reduce an organization’s attack surface. Given the recent prevalence of zero-day vulnerabilities in so many traditional VPNs, it is these efficiencies that make unified SASE the preferable solution to remote and hybrid work.
Powerful Unified SASE (and Easy Transitions) with HPE Aruba Networking
Our CNI team has worked with many customers to elevate their infrastructure by transitioning to SASE, and HPE Aruba Networking SASE is one solution that we recommend again and again. The combination of its industry-leading SD-WAN and award-winning SSE ensures reliable, secure coverage.
HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN allows seamless connectivity between remote sites, branch offices, corporate headquarters, data centers, and cloud providers with the added benefits of path quality monitoring and dynamic path selection that are programmable to support the business intent.
Meanwhile, SSE helps ensure that connectivity is strictly regulated by enforcing consistent zero trust security policies on the user, regardless of where they connect from or what they connect to.
If your business is interested in upgrading your current networking and security infrastructure but unsure of where to start, contact us today! Our dedicated CNI team will carefully assess where you are now, determine what the most fitting and long-lasting technology solution will be, and provide you with a cost-effective, customized implementation plan. We have a variety of networking/security technology partners—including HPE Aruba Networking—and offer an extensive and flexible list of networking/security services.
Interested in solutions for your business? Contact Us