In today’s digital age, securing your organization’s network is crucial. A recent Cisco – commissioned ESG Research study and a Gartner report highlight the importance of SASE deployment, ZTNA vendor evaluation, cloud workload & container security, and zero – trust architecture migration. Premium solutions can protect your business from threats, while counterfeit or sub – par models may leave you vulnerable. With a Best Price Guarantee and Free Installation Included, now is the time to act. Our local experts can help you navigate these complex areas and ensure your organization’s security.

SASE deployment roadmap

SASE deployment is a complex yet crucial process for modern organizations. According to a Cisco – commissioned ESG Research study, 6 key challenges are commonly faced during SASE implementation. With the shift to a cloud – based work environment, having a well – structured SASE deployment roadmap is more important than ever.

Initial steps

Assess current network architecture

Before embarking on the SASE journey, it’s vital to have a clear understanding of the existing network architecture. A recent study by Gartner found that 70% of organizations that skipped this step faced significant delays in their SASE implementation. For example, Company X attempted to implement SASE without a proper assessment and encountered compatibility issues with their legacy infrastructure.
Pro Tip: Conduct a detailed audit of your network, including hardware, software, and security protocols. This will help you identify potential bottlenecks and areas that need improvement.

Define business objectives, security challenges, and networking needs

Each organization has unique business goals, security concerns, and networking requirements. For instance, an e – commerce company may prioritize secure customer transactions and fast data transfer, while a healthcare organization may focus on patient data privacy. Defining these aspects will guide your SASE implementation. A report by SEMrush 2023 Study shows that companies that clearly define their objectives are 30% more likely to achieve successful SASE deployment.
Pro Tip: Engage with key stakeholders from different departments, such as IT, security, and business operations, to ensure all perspectives are considered.

Establish a SASE Roadmap Project Team

A dedicated project team is essential for the smooth execution of the SASE deployment roadmap. This team should include representatives from IT, security, and business units. With 10+ years of experience in SASE implementation, I’ve seen that having a well – coordinated team can significantly reduce the time and cost of deployment.
Pro Tip: Assign clear roles and responsibilities to each team member and establish regular communication channels to keep everyone informed.

Key steps

In most SASE projects, deployment is divided into stages. The first stage is typically about establishing secure connectivity, such as setting up tunnels from customer locations. The overall SASE deployment can be a step – by – step process involving 5 steps, from migrating expired WAN contracts to advanced security.
As recommended by industry experts, it’s important to gradually deploy SASE over time to meet specific IT and business needs. This multi – phase journey allows for better adaptation to the organization’s unique environment.

Potential challenges

Some common challenges during SASE deployment include legacy infrastructure, lack of expertise, and resistance to change. Many organizations have existing networking systems that may not be compatible with SASE solutions.

Assessing the compatibility of legacy systems with SASE
Providing training to employees on SASE technology
Developing a change management strategy to address resistance
Test results may vary, but by being aware of these challenges and having strategies in place to overcome them, organizations can increase their chances of a successful SASE deployment.
Key Takeaways:
Start with a thorough assessment of your current network architecture.
Clearly define your business objectives, security challenges, and networking needs.
Establish a dedicated project team for SASE deployment.
Be aware of potential challenges and have strategies to overcome them.
Gradually deploy SASE over time to meet specific needs.
Try our SASE compatibility checker to see how your current network stacks up against SASE requirements.
Top – performing solutions include those from well – known SASE vendors that offer comprehensive security features, global points of presence, and support for various application types. When choosing a SASE vendor, consider their technical capabilities, security features, compliance with industry regulations, pricing models, and overall reputation.

ZTNA vendor evaluation

Did you know that a significant number of organizations struggle to find the right ZTNA vendor in the market flooded with options? According to a GigaOm report, choosing the wrong ZTNA vendor can lead to security vulnerabilities and inefficiencies in an organization’s operations.

Key factors

General SASE Vendor – related Factors

When evaluating ZTNA vendors, it’s crucial to consider general SASE vendor – related factors. Firstly, the cloud – first nature of your environment plays a vital role. A cloud – first environment requires a vendor that can offer seamless cloud – based solutions. For example, if your company has migrated most of its operations to the cloud, a vendor with strong cloud integration capabilities will be more suitable. Pro Tip: Assess your organization’s cloud adoption level and look for vendors that align with it. As recommended by Gartner, understanding your cloud – first strategy is the foundation for choosing the right SASE and ZTNA vendors.
Secondly, the support for large remote or hybrid teams is essential. With the rise of remote work, many organizations have a significant portion of their workforce working outside the traditional office. A vendor that can provide secure access for these remote employees is a must. For instance, a global company with employees working from different locations around the world needs a ZTNA solution that can ensure consistent security across all regions.
Lastly, identity and access control are key. A reliable vendor should have robust identity and access management systems in place. This helps in ensuring that only authorized users can access specific applications. A data – backed claim here is that a Ponemon Institute study found that weak identity and access control are one of the leading causes of data breaches in organizations.

ZTNA – specific Factors

ZTNA – specific factors also need to be taken into account. One of the main aspects is the ability to provide access to specific applications rather than the entire network. This significantly limits the attack surface. For example, if a user only needs access to a particular accounting application, the ZTNA solution should allow access only to that application. Pro Tip: Look for vendors that offer fine – grained access control to applications.
When considering a scalable, cloud – based deployment, vendors that maintain global points of presence (PoPs) are preferable. These PoPs ensure strong ZTNA performance, especially for organizations with a global footprint. For instance, a multinational corporation can benefit from a vendor with PoPs in different regions to provide fast and secure access to its applications.

Other Considerations

Choosing the correct ZTNA vendor requires foresight and alignment with other security and networking goals. It’s important to ensure that the vendor’s solution can integrate well with your existing security infrastructure. For example, if your organization already uses a particular firewall solution, the ZTNA vendor should be able to integrate with it seamlessly. Pro Tip: Create a list of your existing security and networking tools and check the vendor’s compatibility with them.

Commonly overlooked application types

Many organizations often overlook certain application types when evaluating ZTNA vendors. Non – web applications are a major concern. A lot of software – defined, perimeter – based ZTNA solutions don’t support access for these systems. This can be a significant problem as it may enable these applications to bypass security inspection and create backdoors into the organization’s network. For example, some legacy on – premise applications may not be supported by certain ZTNA vendors, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.
Another commonly overlooked area is server – initiated traffic and specialized use cases. These require specific ZTNA capabilities that not all vendors may offer. For instance, in a manufacturing plant, there may be specialized equipment that generates server – initiated traffic. A ZTNA solution needs to be able to handle this type of traffic securely.
Securing IoT devices is also often ignored. With the increasing number of IoT devices in organizations, it’s essential to have a ZTNA vendor that can provide security for these devices. For example, in a smart building, there are numerous IoT sensors and devices that need to be protected.

Strategies to improve coverage

To improve ZTNA coverage, organizations should start by conducting a thorough assessment of all the applications they use. This includes identifying both web and non – web applications, as well as those with specialized use cases. For example, a software development company may have in – house developed applications that need to be covered by the ZTNA solution. Pro Tip: Create an inventory of all applications and their usage requirements.
It’s also important to work with vendors that are willing to customize their solutions. Some vendors offer flexible configurations that can be tailored to an organization’s specific needs. For instance, if an organization has unique security requirements for its IoT devices, it can work with the vendor to develop a customized solution.
Lastly, organizations should continuously monitor and update their ZTNA solutions. The threat landscape is constantly evolving, and new application types may emerge over time. By regularly reviewing and updating the ZTNA coverage, organizations can ensure that they are protected against the latest threats. Try our ZTNA coverage assessment tool to see how well your current solution is performing.
Key Takeaways:

When evaluating ZTNA vendors, consider general SASE – related factors like cloud – first environment, remote team support, and identity and access control.
Pay attention to ZTNA – specific factors such as application – specific access and global points of presence.
Don’t overlook commonly ignored application types like non – web applications, server – initiated traffic, and IoT devices.
Improve coverage through application assessment, customization, and continuous monitoring.

Cloud workload protection

In today’s digital landscape, cloud workload protection has become increasingly crucial as the work environment has permanently shifted to a cloud – based model. According to a study commissioned by Cisco and conducted by ESG Research, organizations face several challenges when implementing solutions related to cloud – based services like SASE.

Key Considerations for Cloud – Based Deployment

When it comes to cloud workload protection, a scalable, cloud – based deployment is essential. One key factor is to look for vendors that maintain global points of presence (PoPs). This ensures strong ZTNA performance. For example, a large multinational corporation with offices across the globe would benefit from a vendor with extensive PoPs. This allows for faster and more secure access to cloud – based workloads from various locations.
Pro Tip: When evaluating vendors, make a comparison table of their PoP locations and network coverage. This will give you a clear picture of which vendor can offer the best performance for your organization’s global needs.

Challenges in Cloud Workload Protection

There are some common challenges in cloud workload protection. Many organizations struggle with legacy infrastructure, lack of expertise, and resistance to change. Legacy infrastructure may not be compatible with modern cloud – based security solutions, and a lack of in – house expertise can make it difficult to implement and manage these solutions effectively.
For instance, a mid – sized company that has been using on – premise servers for years may find it challenging to migrate to a cloud – based workload protection system. They may face resistance from IT staff who are accustomed to the old systems.

Zero Trust for Cloud Workloads

Often overlooked is how to provide Zero Trust for all users and all resources, regardless of location. ZTNA solutions that ignore on – premises applications can create security risks. These applications may bypass security inspection and create backdoors into the organization’s network.
As recommended by industry security tools, it’s important to implement a solution that can provide comprehensive Zero Trust for both cloud and on – premise applications.

Actionable Steps for Cloud Workload Protection

Step – by – Step:

Evaluate your current cloud – first environment. Determine how much of your workload is already in the cloud and what the future plans are.
Consider your team structure. If you support large remote or hybrid teams, your cloud workload protection needs will be different.
Look at your identity and access control mechanisms. Ensure that only authorized users can access your cloud – based workloads.
Research and select vendors that meet your requirements for PoPs, Zero Trust implementation, and compatibility with your existing infrastructure.
Key Takeaways:

Cloud workload protection is vital in the modern cloud – based work environment.
Look for vendors with global PoPs for better ZTNA performance.
Address challenges such as legacy infrastructure and lack of expertise.
Implement comprehensive Zero Trust for all applications, both cloud and on – premise.
Try our cloud workload protection assessment tool to see how your current setup stacks up against industry benchmarks.

Container security posture

Did you know that a significant number of containerized applications are at risk due to misconfigurations and vulnerabilities? In fact, a recent study by ESG Research (commissioned by Cisco) found that many organizations struggle with securing their container environments, which is a crucial part of a successful SASE implementation.

Key Considerations for Container Security

Isolation and Containment: Ensure that containers are properly isolated from one another. For example, a large e – commerce company was able to prevent a major security breach by implementing strict isolation policies between different microservices running in containers. This way, if one container was compromised, the attacker could not easily move to other parts of the application.
Configuration Management: Regularly review and update container configurations. A common mistake is leaving default settings enabled, which can expose the container to potential threats. Pro Tip: Use automated configuration management tools to keep track of and enforce security – related settings across all containers.

Measuring Container Security Posture

Security Scans: Conduct regular security scans of containers to identify vulnerabilities. Tools like Trivy can be used to scan container images for known vulnerabilities. This data – backed approach helps maintain a high – level of security. According to the SEMrush 2023 Study, organizations that perform regular container scans are 50% less likely to experience a security incident related to containerized applications.
Compliance Checks: Ensure that containers comply with industry standards and internal security policies. This can involve checking for proper access controls, encryption, and data protection measures.

Optimizing Container Security in a SASE Environment

Integration with SASE: Integrate container security solutions with your overall SASE architecture. This allows for seamless visibility and control across the entire network. For example, when a container is flagged as having a security risk, the SASE system can automatically take preventive actions such as blocking access.
Scalability: As your business grows, your container security needs to scale as well. Look for solutions that can handle an increasing number of containers without sacrificing performance. Pro Tip: When evaluating SASE vendors, ask about their ability to support growing container environments.
Comparison Table: Container Security Tools

Tool Name	Vulnerability Detection	Compliance Checks	Scalability
Trivy	High	Moderate	High
Clair	Medium	High	Medium
Anchore	High	High	High

As recommended by industry leaders in container security, it’s essential to regularly assess and optimize your container security posture. Try our container security assessment tool to evaluate the current state of your container environment and identify areas for improvement.
Key Takeaways:

Container security is a critical aspect of SASE implementation.
Regular security scans and compliance checks are essential for maintaining a strong security posture.
Integrating container security with SASE and ensuring scalability are key to long – term success.

Zero – trust architecture migration

A 2023 study by ESG Research, commissioned by Cisco, found that organizations face significant challenges when implementing SASE, a key part of which involves zero – trust architecture migration. Without proper migration to a zero – trust model, organizations face heightened exposure to threats, potential financial losses, and reputational damage (source: ESG Research study for Cisco).

The Imperative of Zero – Trust Migration

Industry – leading Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) enforces identity – based policies to secure access across users, devices, and workloads. This is crucial as it addresses the modern challenge of providing Zero Trust for all users and all resources, regardless of location. For example, a large multinational corporation previously relied on traditional perimeter – based security. But as their workforce became more remote, they faced numerous security breaches. After migrating to a zero – trust architecture with ZTNA, they saw a significant reduction in security incidents, improving their operational efficiency and safeguarding their reputation.

Key Considerations for Migration

Security: ZTNA is a must – have for security. Without it, organizations are at a much higher risk of cyberattacks. Ensure that the ZTNA solution you choose enforces strict identity – based policies.
Scalability: When considering a scalable, cloud – based deployment, look for vendors that maintain global points of presence (PoPs). This ensures strong ZTNA performance. For instance, a growing e – commerce business may start with a small user base but expect rapid expansion. A scalable ZTNA solution can adapt to the increasing workload.
Integration: The ZTNA solution should integrate well with your existing IT infrastructure. This includes non – web applications, as many software – defined, perimeter – based ZTNA solutions don’t support access for these systems.
Cost: Consider the long – term cost of the ZTNA solution. It’s essential to balance the features and functionality with the price.
Pro Tip: When migrating to a zero – trust architecture with ZTNA, it’s important to gradually deploy over time. Adopt a multi – phase journey that meets your specific IT and business needs.

ZTNA Vendor Evaluation

Sorting through a myriad of ZTNA vendors to understand the differences and make a decision will depend on several factors. Different vendors offer various features, and your choice should be based on your organization’s requirements. For example, if your business has a large number of mobile users, you may need a ZTNA vendor that offers strong mobile – device security.

Technical Checklist for Vendor Selection

Global PoPs: Check if the vendor has a wide network of points of presence globally for better performance.
Adaptive Security: Ensure the solution can adapt to changing threats and user behavior.
Non – Web Application Support: Confirm that it can support access to non – web applications.
As recommended by industry security analysts, it’s important to thoroughly evaluate vendors before making a decision. Top – performing solutions include those that are Google Partner – certified, as they follow Google’s official security guidelines.
Key Takeaways:
Zero – trust architecture migration with ZTNA is essential for modern organizations to enhance security and protect against threats.
When migrating, consider factors like security, scalability, integration, and cost.
Evaluate ZTNA vendors based on technical features such as global PoPs, adaptive security, and non – web application support.
Try our ZTNA vendor comparison tool to find the best fit for your organization.

FAQ

What is SASE deployment?

SASE deployment is a complex process for modern organizations. As per a Cisco – commissioned ESG Research study, it has 6 common challenges. It involves steps like assessing the current network, defining business objectives, and establishing a project team. Detailed in our [SASE deployment roadmap] analysis, it’s crucial for adapting to cloud – based work.

How to evaluate ZTNA vendors?

When evaluating ZTNA vendors, consider general SASE – related factors such as cloud – first environment, remote team support, and identity and access control. Also, focus on ZTNA – specific factors like application – specific access and global PoPs. Don’t overlook non – web apps and IoT devices. Professional tools can assist in this evaluation.

Steps for cloud workload protection?

Steps include evaluating your cloud – first environment, considering team structure, looking at identity and access control, and researching vendors with global PoPs and Zero Trust implementation. Unlike basic security methods, this approach ensures comprehensive protection. Industry – standard approaches involve continuous monitoring.

SASE deployment vs Zero – trust architecture migration: What’s the difference?

SASE deployment focuses on creating a secure network architecture, starting from assessing the current network to gradually implementing SASE solutions. Zero – trust architecture migration, on the other hand, enforces strict identity – based policies across users, devices, and workloads. Both are vital but target different aspects of security.