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The Multi-Cloud Environment and Software-Defined Perimeter

Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP) is a significant step forward in security because it allows dynamic, identity-centered security to be implemented on the network layer for the first time. In addition, the organization will be pleased to discover that it is more comprehensive to fulfill contemporary security and commercial requirements.

Through an integrated security architecture approach, a software-defined perimeter (SDP) creates virtual barriers around Internet-connected assets and human behavior. Whether assets are on-premises or in the cloud, and whether users are on-site or working remotely, SDP works. Rather than depending on hardware at the network boundary, such as firewalls or VPNs, SDP uses software to block access to and visibility into resources within the virtual perimeter by default.

Cloud integration has many benefits, but it sometimes necessitates various adjustments to completely comprehend. This post will provide you with a different perspective on the cloud. You can also see how it may be improved to be safer and more efficient. Additionally, using those resources is cost-effective for users. Ideally, this post will assist you in comprehending the specific difficulties surrounding IaaS network access. Also, to learn how a software-defined perimeter can assist in resolving these issues.

SDPs offer access control to network-based services, systems, and software in public and/or private clouds and premises. Because the technology obscures it, the SDP cloud security approach is frequently referred to as a black cloud.  To prevent outsiders from following it, it was hidden within the perimeter.

Use Cases for Software-Defined Perimeters

Here are a few examples of how SDP cloud security can be used in the workplace:

  • Improved Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Access

Access to cloud apps and resources is secure, rapid, and effective from a variety of devices.

  • Third-Party User Access with Benefits

Allow third parties from all over the world to gain access to critical systems. However, with the help of an application or resource, there is a higher level of reliability.

  • DevOps

Secure dynamic access gives DevOps users access to critical resources while also isolating them.

What Are The Most Important Factors For Decision-Makers When Adopting SDP?

It’s important to note that SDP is typically used to address a specific business need rather than to upgrade technology in response to this question. As a result, decision-makers should seek SDP-based solutions that meet business needs while retaining user transparency and ensuring compliance with security standards. In terms of technology, businesses should search for SDP technology that is simple to adopt, set up, and run.

Furthermore, SDP must first inspect and authenticate devices before providing reliable end-to-end communication. Endpoints and applications, as well as programs and services, are all accessible regardless of their location. This necessitates the use of a VPN and SDP. SDP should combine and continuously monitor the safety and regulatory compliance needs in a hybrid IT environment.

Given the length of the list, businesses should devote significant time to studying, assessing, and testing SDP technologies, as well as selecting solutions that meet current and future business, networking, and security requirements.

Conclusion

Many aspects of information security are simply outside the scope of SDP, and there are residual threats tied to a specific product or driven by corporate implementation details.

Owners should use their VPN infrastructure to enhance their SDP tools. They can collaborate on security issues such as hybrid and multi-cloud installations. Assist in reducing attack surfaces and securing sensitive data. For hybrid or multi-cloud systems, network administrator SDP software divides services for fine user access with the use of a highly available micro perimeter.

However, in general, the software-defined perimeter is a unique and appealing security technique.

Software-Defined Perimeter- Everything you Need to Know in 2022!

Most firms previously relied on a perimeter-focused security strategy. This security paradigm assumes that all risks come from outside the company and that everyone who has access to the internal network is trustworthy. This security method inspects all inbound and outbound traffic and aims to keep attackers on the outside and sensitive data on the inside by placing security solutions at the network perimeter.

A software-defined perimeter solution, according to the specialists at Infosecurity Outlook, is designed to solve this difficulty. Limiting internal network access based on user identity significantly reduces the organization’s threat surface and cyber risk.

What is the Purpose of a Software-Defined Perimeter?

An SDP solution limits access to resources only to authorized users through a multi-stage process:

  1. SDP is an identity-driven access management solution with robust user authentication. An SDP solution will securely authenticate the user before granting access to any network information or resource. SDP strives to ensure that a user is who they claim to be by supporting multi-factor authentication and other advanced authentication techniques. This reduces the risk of a breach caused by poor credential security, such as weak passwords or those compromised through phishing attempts or other data breaches.
  2. Zero-trust is intended to replace companies’ previous too permissive access control practices. Rather than having complete access to an organization’s network, users are only allowed to access the resources they require to do their tasks. Access control lists are generated depending on their roles inside an organization to establish and enforce their level of access.
  3. The device authentication procedure of an SDP solution is not confined to the user requesting access. An SDP can also impose restrictions on the device used to connect. This can restrict access to sensitive data or resources to corporate devices or just those that comply with current security regulations.
  4. SDP establishes a direct link between an authorized user and the resource they’re accessing. Based on comprehensive threat intelligence, this link can be encrypted and subjected to complete content inspection to identify and stop potential attacks. This private, secure connection protects users’ connections to important resources from being monitored or hijacked by an adversary.

The benefits of a software-defined perimeter

In simplest terms, a software-defined perimeter is a corporate network security solution that is trusted, comprehensive, robust, and flexible which helps:

  • Improve end-user experience with connectors and automation  
  • Strengthen and simplify access restrictions
  • Reduce attack surfaces
  • Remove policy administration burden for admins

SDP implementation has long been regarded as best practice. It allows a company to design and enforce a zero-trust security paradigm successfully. Organizations drastically reduce their cybersecurity risk by doing so – and shifting away from the old perimeter-focused paradigm. Even if an attacker successfully compromises a user’s account, the permissions provided to that person limit their access and ability to move laterally across the organization’s network.

All these possible dangers to an organization’s security can be addressed with SDP. Before access to any network, the resource is provided, SDP guarantees that all endpoints attempting to access enterprise infrastructure are authenticated and approved. Hiding network resources from unauthorized or unlicensed users follows the concept of least privilege and decrease your attack surface.

Read more:

Quadrant Knowledge Solutions Market Insights on Software Defined Perimeter (SDP) for Zero Trust Network Security

Deloitte Acquires Zero Trust Network Access Provider TransientX

Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory announced that it has acquired all of the assets of TransientX, Inc., a Hoboken, New Jersey-based Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) startup. Deloitte’s existing Zero Trust capabilities and solutions will be enhanced by TransientX’s staff and its innovative, dissolvable, cloud-native application networking technology for ZTNA.

“As organizations modernize their enterprise environments to deal with evolving business models and complex, hyper-connected IT ecosystems, they’re typically shifting from a perimeter-centric approach to the risk-based, Zero Trust approach that enforces the concept of least privilege. TransientX’s technology offers the unique capability to embed Zero Trust Network Access into Deloitte’s products and services, differentiating and evolving how we deliver our offerings to our clients — which will lend support to our clients’ Zero Trust adoption efforts as well,” said Andrew Rafla, a Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory Zero Trust leader and principal, Deloitte & Touche LLP.

“Our cyber practice acquisition strategy — inclusive of the acquisition of TransientX’s business — is squarely focused on hyper-scaling to support our own services and solutions delivery, as well as to transform the way we help our clients build cyber resilience, enable agile operations and promote more resilient security practices. Acquiring TransientX’s business will help Deloitte truly differentiate how it delivers to the market by infusing ZTNA capabilities into a broad portfolio of products and services,” said Deborah Golden, Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory Cyber and Strategic Risk leader and principal, Deloitte & Touche LLP.

“Zero trust transformation is not easy.  We created TransientX to help organizations adopt Zero Trust Network Access in a flexible, frictionless and expansive manner across a variety of use cases. In joining Deloitte, we’ll be able to offer our novel approach to ZTNA in a way that improves security for remote work and vendor collaboration,” Egemen Tas, CEO and founder of TransientX.

Deloitte’s acquisition of the TransientX business is the firm’s fourth cyber acquisition in 2021.

CyberRatings Introduces First-of-its-Kind Cloud Test on Firewall as a Service and Zero Trust Network Access

CyberRatings.org, a non-profit firm dedicated to making cybersecurity product efficacy transparent, has released its first Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) rating. Zscaler’s Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), including its Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) capabilities, were tested independently by CyberRatings utilising Zscaler Internet Access and Zscaler Private Access. Overall, Zscaler received a ‘AA’ rating, with individual test components receiving ‘AA’ to ‘AAA’ ratings.

SASE technology is a relatively new addition to the market. It’s a new technology package that’s supplied as a service:

  • Data security (Cloud Access Security Broker and Data Loss Prevention)
  • Access control (FWaaS and ZTNA)
  • Threat protection (Secure Web Gateway, anti-malware, and intrusion prevention)

“The pandemic accelerated adoption of new technologies such as SASE that securely enable a distributed workforce. This first-of-its-kind test provides the cybersecurity industry with a reliable and independent way to evaluate SASE offerings,” said Vikram Phatak, CEO of CyberRatings.org. 

Because these technologies are so new, CyberRatings spent several months developing the apparatus to test FWaaS and ZTNA alongside Keysight’s network and cloud product teams. Keysight offered CyPerf to test application stability, performance, reliability and TLS / SSL functionality.

“The distributed nature of hybrid/cloud networks calls for a new way of testing. Keysight developed its industry-first cloud-native CyPerf test solution to help users validate services like SASE, software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN), and cloud network firewall. We are excited to partner with CyberRatings in this first independent test of SASE technology,” said Ram Periakaruppan vice president and general manager, Keysight’s Network Test and Security Solutions.

CyberRatings has a three-phase approach for assessing SASE solutions, with the first phase focusing on FWaaS and ZTNA. The discovery and handling of exploits, malware, and evasions will be tested in phase two. The cloud access security broker (CASB) and data leak protection will be addressed in the third phase (DLP).