SASE may yield another versatile protection method against ransomware

02 Aug SASE may yield another versatile protection method against ransomware

Posted at 16:08h in Articles by Douglas James 0 Comments

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Additional options for businesses dreading a ransomware attack

What with the widespread implementation of ransomware across the global, costs and damage are ramping up virtually everywhere. There’s no end in sight to the implementation of malware or ransomware, and we’re only growing more reliant on tech. Data caches and lakes are the new goldmine for would-be digital thieves, and ransomware are the tools to rip it out.

Naturally I’ve covered this topic – at least on ransomware – many times. And like many of you I’m pulling out my hair, so much I have none left to pull! Defensive solutions regarding ransomware are not common, and often require robust security culture, good backup resources, and cloud-based infrastructure. But is there something else that could potentially defend an enterprise against it?

Sounds like magic beans and wishful thinking, but countering ransomware is possible with SASE, or “secure access security edge.”

Reasons to guard against ransomware

By now one should be convinced over the dangers and realities ransomware represents. For an individual, it’s a harrowing experience where data is held at the behest of online attackers. In an enterprise model, the cost is amplified. Even with critical recovery operations, the damage caused by ransomware can last weeks to even months to fully recover from, and that’s to say nothing of brand damage.

There’s also the possibility a business can suffer another ransomware attack in the time it takes to recover, if precautions aren’t taken. Not to mention, the loss of information stolen by attackers can be further utilized for phishing campaigns. In other words, it’s a massive headache, the kind of migraine which can sink a business.

“Surely, there has to be a solution now?” you might think.

No, ransomware has no common “cure.” Versatile layers of defenses are needed and necessary for an effective response plan against it. But that’s where SASE based solutions come in.

What is SASE?

In brief, the idea behind SASE is to wholly reduce complexity in a world driven by digital tools and resources. The more software, apps, and utility you add into a network, the more complicated it gets, essentially.

In short, SASE is a combination of VPN and SD-WAN (software defined wireless access network) capabilities, intrinsic to cloud operations and cloud security. These are the key features which ultimately provide a more nuanced, versatile defense against ransomware. Because it’s centralized, it’s easier to implement controls, monitor network traffic, manage access permissions, and maintain a stronger cybersecurity culture.

It’s this multi-faceted approach bringing a strong, layered opposition against ransomware operations. For example, if you integrate remote operations and work in your business model, SASE accounts for that with improved controls and access permissions. And, given that cloud infrastructure is versatile with capable backups, it’s a natural remedy to the devastating blows caused by ransomware.

How do I implement SASE?

That’s a big question, because it’s not a simple answer. The technology is also fairly new, so it hasn’t seen mass adoption yet – at least not to the point where it’s common in business models.

For now, it’s a matter of understanding your needs and goals as a business and choosing the right SASE vendor. Vendors will take every step to properly integrate SASE into your enterprise, but the setup can take some fine-tuning, so it suits your operations.