What Is Security Service Edge (SSE)?
Gartner coined the term Security Service Edge (SSE) to describe a cloud-native security framework that converges several key network security functions into a single solution. These include secure web gateway (SWG), cloud access security broker (CASB), data loss prevention (DLP), and zero trust network access (ZTNA).
SSE solutions offer secure, optimized access to SaaS, Internet, and internal corporate locations from anywhere, while eliminating dependency on legacy virtual private networks (VPNs) and perimeter firewalls. It is designed to meet the needs of the hybrid, mobile, and cloud-first enterprise.
Key Components of SSE
SSE differs from traditional approaches to security by converging several security functions and capabilities into a single solution, which is implemented as a cloud-native service. Eliminating point security products and messy integrations simplifies security management and eliminates common security visibility gaps. At the same time, security integration improves the user experience by reducing latency.
Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
Secure web gateways (SWGs) protect users against risky sites and enforce corporate acceptable use policies. SWGs inspect web traffic to identify and block phishing attacks, malware downloads, and visits to inappropriate or malicious websites. SWGs commonly incorporate SSL inspection capabilities to enable detection of malicious or inappropriate content within encrypted network traffic.
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
Cloud access security brokers (CASB) enforce corporate access controls and data security policies within cloud environments, addressing some of the most common causes of cloud security incidents. They offer visibility into attempted data exfiltration, unsanctioned SaaS usage (shadow IT), and anomalous user behavior that could indicate a compromised account or insider threat. CASB helps organizations to comply with regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS) by enforcing access controls and data security in the cloud.
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) enables granular access management for remote users, replacing legacy VPN solutions, which allow authorized users unrestricted access to the corporate network and resources. ZTNA solutions explicitly validate access requests based on least-privilege access controls and contextual factors, such as location, device, and risk, before allowing access only to authorized users.
Replacing VPNs with ZTNA protects against overprivileged access by making least-privilege access management feasible. It also prevents lateral movement by isolating applications and validating both external and internal access requests before granting access.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Data loss prevention (DLP) solutions help to prevent sensitive data from leaking from the organization via unauthorized SaaS usage, misconfigurations, and other issues. DLP uses keyword pattern matching, fingerprinting, and contextual analysis to protect against data leaks and meet regulatory requirements. By integrating with CASB and SWG, DLP ensures consistent protection and enforcement across web and cloud traffic.
Benefits of Implementing SSE
SSE converges multiple security functions into a cloud-based solution, reducing security sprawl and enabling consistent security policy management. Adopting SSE offers multiple benefits to the business by modernizing security to better fit cloud-first, hybrid enterprises.
Consistent Security Policy Enforcement
Consistent security policy enforcement is a common challenge when various point products are deployed in different environments. SSE offers consistent, centralized policy enforcement across cloud, SaaS, and web apps. Centralized, user-centric policy management reduces configuration errors and policy gaps and simplifies regulatory compliance and incident response.
Reduced Attack Surface
SSE implements Zero Trust principles to eliminate the implicit trust of perimeter-centric security models. With ZTNA, an organization can implement least-privilege access controls, which only grant users, applications, and devices the set of privileges that are required for their roles within the organization.
By validating all access requests before approving them, it minimizes lateral movement and unauthorized access to applications. This reduces the risk posed by vulnerable applications, unmanaged devices, and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environments.
Enhanced Performance
Routing traffic through multiple point solutions and backhauling traffic to the headquarters network for inspection impairs network performance. However, these approaches are common to traditional, perimeter-based security models that weren’t designed for a cloud-first enterprise.
SSE implements security within PoPs that are located geographically near the user. By doing so, they ensure that performance isn’t compromised for the sake of security.
Simplified IT Management
SSE converges multiple security functions into a cloud-based solution with a single-pane-of-glass interface. This reduces security sprawl and license complexity while enhancing the efficiency of security solutions.
Additionally, SSE solutions automate patching, updates, and configuration management. Eliminating management complexity and reliance on manual security processes enables IT and security teams to focus on strategic initiatives and other tasks.
Support for Hybrid and Remote Workforces
SSE is designed to support hybrid, cloud-first enterprises, offering numerous benefits, such as:
- Consistent security policies regardless of user location (on-prem or remote)
- Replacement of legacy VPNs with ZTNA for secure, least-privilege access to applications
- Traffic inspection and policy enforcement without backhauling traffic to corporate data centers
- Visibility into remote user activity and access attempts in real time
- Improved efficiency due to centralized user and policy management
- Enhanced performance and user experience by delivering security at the network edge
Scalability and Flexibility
SSE is implemented as a cloud-native service, allowing it to scale on demand as the business grows. Key features that enhance flexibility and scalability include:
- Provider-managed capacity without the need to provision or upgrade physical appliances
- Easy onboarding of new users, apps, or locations without complex configurations
- Supports for dynamic environments, such as M&A, branch expansion, or cloud migration.
- Integration with various identity providers and cloud ecosystems, maintaining flexibility
- Policy updates are distributed in real-time across the entire environment
- Alignment with SASE adoption and digital transformation goals
- Reduced vendor sprawl via consolidated security
SSE vs. SASE: Understanding the Difference
When comparing SSE vs. SASE, it’s important to understand that they are related security functions, but have slightly different capabilities and focus. SASE combines SSE’s security capabilities with software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) and secure WAN capabilities, such as Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), in a unified platform.
What is SASE?
SASE converges SD-WAN with security functions within a unified, cloud-native service. It includes SWG, CASB, ZTNA, FWaaS, and SD-WAN capabilities. SASE addresses both the network performance and security needs of remote and hybrid users by ensuring enterprise-grade network security while optimizing network routing.
How SSE Fits into SASE
SSE is the security component of SASE and can be deployed either as a standalone solution or as a stepping stone toward a full SASE deployment. It offers organizations the ability to migrate gradually from legacy, perimeter-based security models, improving their security posture without performing a full network redesign.
Choosing Between SSE and SASE
When choosing between SSE and SASE, organizations should consider their goals and intended deployment timeline. SSE offers immediate enhancements to cloud security, while SASE supports full digital transformation but requires additional changes to network architecture.
Other factors to consider when choosing between SSE and SASE include your company size, IT maturity, and geographic distribution. If networking upgrades are part of your strategic plan, then SASE offers a more complete, integrated solution than SSE, which is solely security-focused.
How Cato SSE 360 Enhances Traditional SSE
Cato SSE 360 outperforms traditional SSE by offering true network and security convergence rather than an integration of various point solutions into a single product. Additionally, Cato’s breadth of coverage, including WAN and cloud, further simplifies and streamlines network and security visibility and management.
Total Visibility and Control
Cato SSE 360 offers granular visibility and access management for all of an organization’s resources, including cloud apps, Internet, and WAN. With visibility into all network traffic and access to real-time threat intelligence, it can correlate user behavior and identify security events across the entire network. With single-pane-of-glass visibility, security personnel can more efficiently identify, investigate, and address potential security events in the network.
Optimized Global Access
Cato SASE 360 uses a private backbone with PoPs strategically located around the globe for low-latency access to the Internet and corporate resources. This allows it to bypass Internet congestion and cloud provider peering limitations, offering consistent performance and availability for users worldwide. Additionally, integration with various identity providers enables seamless single sign-on (SSO) for access to corporate apps.
Seamless Path to SASE
Cato SSE 360 offers a path to SASE by allowing an organization to deploy security capabilities now and add SD-WAN later without having to rip-and-replace. A converged platform architecture also reduces the total cost of ownership (TCO) by converging security and networking capabilities into a single, cloud-based service. This makes Cato SSE 360 ideal for organizations scaling toward zero trust and SASE maturity, but that aren’t ready for full SASE deployment today.
FAQs About SSE
How is SSE different from SASE?
SSE is a security-focused solution, integrating SWG, CASB, DLP, and ZTNA capabilities. SASE builds on this by adding SD-WAN and other security capabilities, such as FWaaS, to optimize both networking and security.
Is SSE only for remote workforces?
SSE is ideal for remote workforces but also enhances security and performance for on-prem users, branch offices, and hybrid workers. Network traffic routed through an SSE PoP is subjected to traffic inspection and policy enforcement, enhancing network security without sacrificing performance.