Understanding SSE Solutions

Secure Services Edge (SSE) solutions are designed to provide a comprehensive suite of security and networking functions to protect traffic to the internet and SaaS and provide access to private applications.

 They combine several key features to deliver holistic protection and connectivity. Here’s a fuller breakdown of the functionalities typically included in an SSE solution:

• Secure Web Gateways (SWG): Protect users from web-based threats by filtering malicious content and preventing access to harmful websites. SWGs block access to known malicious sites and scan web traffic for potentially dangerous content. They can include features such as:
  • URL Filtering: Allows granular control over web access by categorizing and filtering websites based on content, risk level, and compliance requirements.
  • SSL Inspection: This function decrypts and inspects encrypted SSL/TLS traffic to detect malware and other hidden threats and enforce security policies within secure connections.
  • Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Monitors and controls data transfers to prevent sensitive information from being leaked or exfiltrated through web channels.
• Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB): Enforce security policies on cloud applications to safeguard sensitive data. CASBs provide visibility into cloud usage, monitor data transfers, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. They can include features such as:
  • Cloud Visibility and Discovery: Identifies and provides visibility into cloud applications and services used within the organization, including shadow IT and unauthorized applications.
  • Risk Assessment and Management: Evaluates the security risks associated with cloud applications and provides insights into potential vulnerabilities and compliance issues.
  • Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Monitors and controls data movement across cloud applications to prevent unauthorized access, leakage, and exfiltration of sensitive information.
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Ensure secure access to applications and data by verifying each access request, regardless of whether it originates inside or outside the network perimeter. ZTNA enforces strict access controls and reduces the risk of unauthorized access.

The Case for Streamlining

For small businesses, adopting a full-fledged SSE solution may seem like overkill. Such systems' cost, complexity, and management might not align with their actual needs or capabilities. Here’s why a more focused approach can be beneficial:

1. Budget Constraints

Small businesses often operate under tight budgets. Full-scale SSE solutions can be expensive in terms of initial investment and ongoing operational costs. Allocating resources toward more targeted security measures can provide sufficient protection without draining the budget.

2. Simplicity and Usability

Smaller organizations might lack dedicated IT teams or cybersecurity experts. Implementing and managing a comprehensive SSE solution can be complex and resource-intensive. Streamlined solutions focusing on essential features are easier to manage and require less specialized knowledge.

3. Specific Threats and Needs

The threat landscape for small businesses may differ from that of larger enterprises. While large organizations might face sophisticated attacks and require extensive protection, smaller businesses often encounter different types of threats, such as phishing or basic malware. Tailoring security measures to these specific threats can be more effective and cost-efficient.

Essential Features for Small Businesses

Instead of investing in a full-scale SSE solution, small businesses should consider focusing on the following minimum features to maintain robust security:

1. DNS/Content Filtering

Instead of a full-blown Secure Web Gateway that will carry out SSL inspection, content filtering offers a practical solution for blocking malicious content and protecting users from harmful websites. By preventing users from accessing domain names categorized as malicious, small businesses can prevent common web-based phishing, malware, and other cyber attacks.

2. Basic SaaS Access Security

Even if a small business doesn’t fully integrate a CASB, enforcing basic security policies on SaaS applications is crucial. Implementing simple controls to manage and monitor access can help prevent unauthorized access. An effective technique is to use IP address context for conditional access to SaaS applications. This forces users to use the ZTNA solution to access authorized SaaS applications and allows the business to leverage all the ZTNA visibility, security controls, and other features of the ZTNA solution to also control access to SaaS applications.

3. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

Adopting a Zero Trust approach, where every access request is verified regardless of origin, provides a layer of security that is particularly useful for small businesses with remote or hybrid work environments. ZTNA ensures that employees can access only the resources they need, reducing the risk of lateral movement.

Cipherscale - An Essential Solution for Businesses.

For small businesses, a tailored approach to security is often more practical than adopting an all-encompassing SSE solution. Leveraging and extending the functionality of a ZTNA platform can help achieve robust security while maintaining simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Choosing the right mix of essential features allows small businesses to safeguard their operations without being overwhelmed by the complexities of a full-scale SSE solution. cipherscale provides the right balance of essential security and connectivity features without the high complexity and cost.