Let’s face it – networks and security are becoming more complicated. With the increasing number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, users working from anywhere, and more sophisticated attacks, protecting enterprise networks and making the right choices are more critical than ever.
Keeping up with digital transformation
Over the past twenty years, and especially in the last five, many external factors have influenced how we access networks. Network security resembled a moat around a castle when we all worked together from a physical office. Everyone was located in a central area protected by big firewalls. A significant milestone was COVID-19, which suddenly forced everyone into remote work – from home or elsewhere. VPNs, remote access, file sharing, video meetings, and multiple users at the same home created immediate demands for real secure remote connectivity. For enterprises, providing secure access for remote contractors to connect to sensitive company resources increases the pressure on network security and broadens the attack surface.
From people to things, to vehicles and more
By 2050, there will be 24 billion interconnected IoT devices, 3 times the number of user devices. Almost every object around us, from streetlights and thermostats to electric meters, fitness trackers, water pumps, video surveillance cameras, kiosks, cars, elevators, and gym vests, is or will be connected. So, instead of just users connecting to the network, millions of devices will also be connected. Just imagine all the entry points and areas for potential attacks!
As enterprises adopt the flexibility and scalability of 4G/5G Wireless WAN (WWAN) to connect IoT devices, remote branches, vehicles, and field equipment, they also face a complex new landscape of security challenges. Unlike traditional wired networks, cellular WAN introduces mobility, distributed endpoints, and public infrastructure, broadening the enterprise attack surface.
The attack surface is scaling at speed – are you ready?
Some of these IoT devices have never been connected to the enterprise network and present risks. For instance, like company-managed computers, these IoT devices require regular updates they typically aren’t receiving. Most IoT devices lack the processing power to do onboard security and default passwords are seldom changed, leaving them vulnerable to attack. IoT devices broadcast their IP addresses, essentially advertising their existence and location, making them easy targets for any attacker with an IP scanner.
In a legacy VPN network, intruders can map the network and do reconnaissance for larger attacks as they move laterally the network, potentially leading to a chain attack.
Powering enterprise network security with zero trust at the core
To mitigate these potential security risks and build resiliency, you can build your stack with several secure layers from different angles. But when combined, they create a robust, layered security approach that’s cloud-delivered, scalable, and well-suited for today’s enterprise.
Start with a zero trust foundation. Zero trust is based on the principle of least privilege – no device or user is trusted by default, regardless of their location in the network, and strict access controls are continuously monitored and enforced.
From legacy VPNs to zero trust networks – a path worth taking
Zero trust networks are built on the premise – “never trust, always verify.” This changes our way of thinking about security beyond technology. Instead of granting users broad access to the network like a traditional VPN, zero trust networks grant access to specific required resources by policy. Here’s how it works in practice:
Authenticate and assess: Users authenticate through an identity provider (e.g., Entra ID, Okta), and their devices are evaluated for posture through the identity provider (e.g., OS version, patch level, presence of security software).
Enforce policy: Access is granted based on granular policies, roles, device trust, location, risk level, etc.
App-specific access: If approved, users connect only to authorized apps, not the full network.
Continuous verification: Access is continuously verified in real time through the identity provider; any change in behavior or posture can trigger re-authentication or disconnection if a device becomes untrusted.
Zero trust to reduce attacks and protect sources
A zero trust foundation strengthens security by significantly reducing the attack surface. It hides public IPs, masks network traffic, and keeps resources hidden, making it much more difficult for attackers to infiltrate. If a breach occurs, zero trust limits the blast radius. It blocks all inbound and lateral (east-west) connections, restricting the attack to its point of origin.
It also prevents lateral movement by enforcing least-privilege access through stringent policies. Access is granted only for specific resources, ensuring that users and devices connect solely to the specific services for which they are authorized.
Merging secure access and seamless connectivity at the edge
Traditionally, connectivity solutions (routers, switches, VPNs) were all about performance, uptime, and getting users to their destinations. Security solutions (firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, proxies) came later, inspecting traffic once it reached the perimeter.
How network connectivity and security fit together
But the landscape has changed as workforces are remote and mobile, applications are cloud-hosted, and perimeters are disappearing. This shift has forced enterprises to merge networking and security into a unified model. Other driving factors include the increasing complexity of security, with the average enterprise using over 45 separate security tools, and the difficulty of finding qualified security professionals. With shrinking IT teams, there has to be an easier way!
This is where secure connectivity at the edge, called Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), comes into play. It is an architecture built on zero trust that combines network (SD-WAN) and security into a unified service delivered at the edge—close to users and devices, wherever they are.
Here’s why SASE Matters
SASE addresses a significant modern challenge: how can you securely connect a distributed workforce, cloud applications, remote sites, and mobile users without backhauling all traffic through a central data center?
- Replaces legacy VPNs and backhauling with a zero trust foundation
- Centralizes policy management for easier control and consistency
- Supports zero trust and cloud-first strategies
- Reduces complexity by consolidating security tools
- Scales effortlessly for hybrid work, remote sites, and IoT
SASE delivers a unified solution that optimizes networks and creates a continuous security loop where exposure is identified, access is controlled, and traffic is secured. With least-privilege access at its core, SASE ensures that all traffic is routed securely with real-time policy enforcement—creating an adaptive network and security solution that evolves as your environment changes.
Learn more at cradlepoint.com
