We really should have gotten rid of departmental silos by now…
83% of organisations have reported about the existence of silos in their working operations. One of the glaring gaps in collaboration has traditionally been networking and security teams. Both had their own objectives, and their lack of cohesion always made managing cybersecurity a little difficult.
A solution like secure access service edge (SASE)brings both security and networking functionalities together, with zero-trust principles helping to shift the balance further. Incorporating software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) and security service edge (SSE) technology means SASE can get to work in breaking down those silos.
A managed service provider (MSP) like Gamma can provide that reliable network infrastructure which support the transition towards a streamlined framework.
Sil-oh, the humanity
Traditional IT environments can be fragmented, with networking and security teams operating parallel to one another. We all have our own way of working, but that disjointed environment can prove to be costly. Their isolated efforts can create inefficiencies, including:
- Security gaps, as it’s harder to enforce consistent policies and comply with sector regulations across the business
- Poor network performance, with legacy architecture struggling to route traffic effectively, leading to high latency and connectivity issues
- Delayed response times, since silos lead to miscommunication that slows down troubleshooting efforts
- Operational inconsistency, due to both teams using different tools and processes that only makes policy enforcement more complicated
- Scalability issues, with growing businesses finding it difficult to appropriately scale security and network solutions cohesively
Those reasons alone make the adoption of SASE a key business priority.
A unified approach to networking and security policies
Bringing these two entities together gives organisations a more centralised way of managing both networking and security policies. If everyone is working off a single framework, then it eliminates disparate security tools that makes everything complicated. Getting rid of unnecessary services is great for cost-efficiency, too!
That single framework can also dictate how these policies impact different workers. Whether they’re in the office or working remotely, those policies are uniformly applied to every employee. Companies spend an average of 4300 hours annually trying to achieve compliance, so this consistent approach can make a huge difference in addressing any gaps.
The elimination of those silos can also eliminate any separate security stacks that are still operational. IT teams can gain greater control over the administration of the overall security network and get more time back to deal with other pressing matters. Removing that complexity just makes everyone’s lives a little easier.
Converging functions
Remember, SASE is an integration of SD-WAN and SSE. That security portion introduces tools such as Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) and secure web gateway (SWG) into that greater network infrastructure. When SD-WAN is added to the mix, that network is operating under an architecture of high performance, optimal routing and safe data traffic flow.
80% of IT leaders are looking to converge their networking and security teams. This union allows both teams to work off a single platform, rather than through a system of disconnected services. Consolidating their tools together improves collaboration and removes any kind of delay if an issue arises.
Once networking and security have been merged, operational efficiency is sure to follow. Communicating with one another becomes easier, and the need for separate security appliances is no longer necessary. Everything is a little more streamlined, and a little more manageable.
Seizing control
Imagine a dashboard that can provide a single-pane-of-glass view into network traffic and user activity. Right across the organisation, IT teams can keep a vigilant look out for any emerging security threats and deal with them proactively. Having that greater visibility, backed by real-time data and analytics, means security remains watertight.
By being cloud-based, all network edges can be secured consistently. With that edge expanding due to the greater update in hybrid and remote working policies, it’s imperative that all edges are monitored. When those siloes security systems are eliminated, blind spots can be found and addressed.
Considering cybercrime will cost the world $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, there’s no better time to be proactive.
Agile and scalable
With a cloud-native architecture, SASE allows both networking and security frameworks to scale dynamically as a business grows. Traditional hardware stacks can restrict that scalability and leave businesses in a lurch as they try and meet the demands of a growing organisation. As working patterns change, it’s vital for businesses to adopt cloud-based solutions.
The agile, flexible nature of SASE allows businesses to support remote working environments. 41% of UK workers work remotely for some part of the working week and require secure connectivity to continue to operate efficiently. Both on-premises and hybrid employees can benefit from that reliable connectivity.
Cloud-based solutions like SASE can also support automatic software updates. Businesses can reduce the risk of their workforce having to work with outdated systems, and both security and networking stay updated. That shared framework allows teams to benefit from each other’s toolset and further break down any remaining traces of those silos.
Optimising costs and resources
Ah yes. Cost-efficiency. The one thing EVERY business wants.
We’ve already mentioned how removing redundant tools can ease expenses, while also lowering time spent managing them. Opting for a SASE solution can lower existing costs by 40-50%, and give IT teams headspace to focus on strategic initiatives. A network provided by a reliable managed service provider can well and truly reduce that management burden.
Leveraging SD-WAN gives businesses a means to stop relying solely on costly hardware-based networking solutions, such as multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) circuits. SD-WAN can route traffic through the most optimal path, enabling a smooth interconnection between devices using all sorts of technologies. These include broadband, 5G, or even an MPLS network if necessary.
It all comes from breaking down those silos.
Silo-nara
At this point in time, we’re sick and tired of siloed ways of working. They create inefficient working environments that drive up costs and make it hard to do some meaningful collaboration. They stand for everything that Gamma opposes!
Through Gamma’s SASE solution and its unified approach to networking and security, the silos between these two functions can be eliminated. When a strong, reliable network is provided through a managed service provider like Gamma, the full potential of SASE can be realised.
Trust us – we’d all be better off without those silos.