Fun fact – businesses are always looking at digital transformation
This shouldn’t rock the foundations of our assumptions on wider business objectives. Approximately 90% of organisations are undergoing some form of digital transformation and remains a key fixture on any CEO’s ‘To Do’ list. Cloud-based solutions are more widely adopted than ever, coinciding with the continued rise of hybrid working models.
Secure access service edge (SASE) has positioned itself as an integral part of that wider transformation. Combining networking and security functions gives businesses the means to accelerate their transformation and achieve their growth goals.
With a reliable network supplied by a trusted managed service provider (MSP) like Gamma, there’s no stopping that drive to meaningful digital transformation.
A cloud-first strategy
End-user spending on cloud technology is projected to grow by 21.5% from $595.7 billion to $723.4 billion in 2025. As more applications and associated data moves to the cloud, businesses need to secure their services and the critical pieces of data associated with them. Without that layer of protection, organisations are vulnerable to a rapidly growing range of damaging, sophisticated cyberattacks.
Software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) controls the traffic that goes to the cloud, inspecting that data in the cloud rather than backhauling it through the traditional data centre. IT teams don’t have to decide between security or accessibility, as data is routed to a point of presence (PoP) near a user’s location. Eliminating that backhauling provides a positive impact on both network performance and user experience.
The scalable nature of SASE helps create a flexible infrastructure that adapts to businesses needs with ease. Those IT departments can appropriately scale their operations based on demand and general business growth. A costly reliance on on-premises hardware can be swiftly reduced, and businesses can instead rely on the cloud to sustain growth.
Decentralised working, strengthened security
SASE is an integration of software-defined wide area technology (SD-WAN) and security service edge (SSE). One of the key functionalities of SSE is the zero trust network access (ZTNA) model, meaning all users and devices are verified before allowing access to the network.
Seems like a bit of an overreaction, but when it comes to cybersecurity, it isn’t worth the risk.
On average, just one ransomware attack can cost a business $1.85 million. Attack surfaces continue to grow, especially as work is becoming more remote. Zero trust network access (ZTNA) can validate the access to the network to remote users.
Security can also become identity-based rather than just through IP addresses. Only authorised users and devices can access corporate resources, with these control policies applied across all endpoints and locations. These robust measures only strengthen network security and allow remote workers to operate without fears of being breached.
Now that would spoil a day of working from home, huh?
Strong network = better UX
The subheading summaries the next point nicely, but we think it’s still worth getting into a bit more detail. SD-WAN provides a virtual network overlay that routes and prioritises traffic via real-time monitoring. This sophisticated networking solution finds the optimal path for data to take, helping to create a more efficient network.
Poor network connectivity amounts to an average of 71 hours in lost productivity for each employee. Thanks to PoPs and direct access to the cloud, businesses can reduce latency by avoiding congested traffic routes. Removing all that backhauling to data centres also speeds up traffic and greatly improves the overall user experience.
Merging networking and security through SASE gives remote employees secure remote access to resources. Safeguarding these employees and allowing them to securely connect means there’s no ‘advantage’ to working from either home or the office. SD-WAN’s robustness also provides assurance that network performance won’t degrade.
Of course, that network performance can be even better when provided by a leading managed services provider.
Cutting out complexity and costs
Digital transformation is great (another fun fact), but a complex IT infrastructure makes that transition difficult. The dream team of networking and security creates a unified framework that contains ZTNA, secure web gateway (SWG) and next-gen firewalls. Not only are those pesky working silos eliminated, but IT teams can work from a streamlined and secure base of operations.
Centralised visibility and control through a cloud-based control simplifies management and reduces IT workload. These specialists can focus on other digital transformation initiatives rather than having to constantly troubleshoot issues. IT departments, without all that unwanted complexity, can stay efficient and on track with their own objectives.
Businesses can also expect to generate a 246% ROI and save $3.8 million through reduced maintenance. Removing the need for expensive on-premises appliances can lower infrastructure costs and simultaneously ease businesses away from multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) networks. While SD-WAN isn’t a direct replacement for MPLS, that networking component alleviates costs and drives further digital transformation.
Compliance and regulations
Adopting innovative new pieces of technology is exciting, but it also comes with a need to understand the latest regulations. Compliance should always be kept in mind, so it’s relieving to hear that 80% of organisations see risk and compliance as a valued business function. OK, it isn’t 100%, but we can’t always be perfect.
With full network visibility and policy-based controls, SASE gives business leaders comfort when it comes to data regulations. Processes such as data encryption and data loss prevention (DLP) maintain data privacy and reduces the risk of breaching one of these standards.
Fines can hit a high of €20 million in severe circumstances, so a gentle reminder that it’s best to avoid those.
Logging and reporting for compliance and forensic (digital, not physiological) analysis provides a consistent audit trail. Suspicious activities can be identified, breaches can be proactively addressed, and all reports can be filed straight to the regulatory powers that be. Staying compliant can improve a brand’s reputation, while steering clear of those eye-wateringly high fines.
The path to digital transformation
By integrating security and networking into a single cloud-native solution, SASE plays a crucial role in digital transformation. Businesses can operate securely, efficiently and at scale through such a platform. Those foundations for digital transformation can only lead to further success for businesses.
Gamma’s managed services are designed to combine connectivity and reliability, creating a network that businesses can rely on. A strong network brings the best out of SASE and contributes to long-term strategic planning around digital transformation.
The time to push digital innovation is now; your business will be better off for it.