The adoption of cloud services has benefited financial organizations while exposing the complexities of network security. With the rapid adoption of digital transformation, most of the financial institutions’ workforce now operates remotely, necessitating platforms that support seamless productivity. SASE is the future state of network security converging networking and security functions within the cloud, enabling access from anywhere & anytime.
SASE Components: SASE has five main components that embed networking and security capabilities into a single-service, cloud-native model
- Software-Defined Wide-Area Networking (SD-WAN): uses software to manage and optimize connections across a geographically dispersed network.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): is based on the principle of “never trust, always verify”. ZTNA authenticates users to specific services or applications
- Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): provides visibility between users and their cloud services, applying security policies and identifying sensitive content with data loss prevention (DLP).
- Secure Web Gateways (SWG): protect devices from infection and enforce company policies by filtering unwanted malware from user-initiated Internet traffic.
- Firewall as a Service (FWaaS): delivered as a cloud-based service, provides hyperscale, next-generation firewall (NGFW) capabilities such as web filtering, advanced threat protection (ATP), intrusion prevention system (IPS) and Domain Name System (DNS) security.
Benefits of SASE for Financial Networks:
- Enhanced Security: SASE strengthens security by enforcing consistent access controls and zero-trust principles.
- Improved Compliance: SASE simplifies compliance efforts by providing centralized logging and auditing of network activity.
- Greater Agility: SASE facilitates easy scaling and adapting security policies based on user location, device type, and application access; supporting the mobile workforce and cloud integration.
- Reduced Cost: Consolidating network and security functions into a single platform can streamline management and lowers overall cost.
Steps for Implementing SASE in Financial Networks:
- Assessment & Planning: Define clear goals for implementing, evaluate current network security posture and user access needs.
- Vendor Selection: Research SASE providers and choose one that meets your specific needs in terms of security features, compliance certifications, and scalability; preferably with experience in the financial services industry.
- Pilot & Proof of Concept: Initially start with a pilot program in a non-critical environment to test the functionality and integration of the SASE solution.
- Deployment & Integration: Once satisfied with the POC results, begin deploying SASE solution across the network, integrating it with the existing security tools and identity management system.
- Training & Adoption: Educate IT staff and users on the SASE platform and security policies. Ensure everyone understands the importance of secure access and best practices.
Shifting the focus from data centers to end-user devices, SASE offers a more sophisticated way to identify emerging threats, ensure regulatory compliance, reduce total risk and enhance user productivity in financial networks.
