Four SSE stumbling blocks and how companies overcome them

Pain Point #1: The complexity of migration

One of the biggest pain points when introducing SSE components such as Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) and Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) is the high level of complexity. All of these technologies have a deep impact on existing IT, network and security infrastructures. As SSE components either replace old systems or have to be integrated into them, companies have a number of challenges to overcome. They have to update their access and identity models, standardize their policies and adapt or even completely redesign data flows. In addition, the integration of cloud and SaaS applications requires a high degree of technical coordination, particularly in terms of performance, data protection and governance. Different provider architectures, interfaces and operating models further increase the integration effort. The challenge lies less in individual technologies than in the holistic orchestration of these services into a stable, high-performance and uniformly manageable security platform.

Pain Point #2: The fragmented security landscape

Another pain point for companies is inextricably linked to the «best-of-breed» approach that is unfortunately often still pursued: the desire to find the supposedly most powerful and feature-rich individual solution for each SSE component. The fragmented introduction of SSE in the form of individual products rather than as an integrated SSE platform automatically leads to greater complexity, inconsistent security and an unmanageable operational overhead. Each system comes with its own management interfaces, policy engines, logging mechanisms and integration requirements, which leads to redundant configurations and thus to considerable additional work for the IT department. Those responsible also have to maintain security policies multiple times, which increases the likelihood of inconsistencies and misconfigurations. This also results in fragmented monitoring, which makes it more difficult to analyze the causes of security or performance problems. In terms of cost-effectiveness, the approach is equally inefficient: multiple contracts, interfaces and support channels increase costs and reduce flexibility. A uniform SSE platform, on the other hand, enables centralized policy management, consistent monitoring and significantly more efficient operation.

Pain Point #3: The global rollout

An additional pain point in the introduction of SSE primarily affects internationally operating companies. Different local infrastructures, data centers and internet connections make uniform implementations difficult. At the same time, regional compliance and data protection requirements such as GDPR adjustments and policy deviations are necessary. Global users can also suffer from latency problems if network traffic is not optimally managed via different points of presence. Organizationally, time zones, local IT teams and training requirements make rollout and change management more difficult. Overall, these factors increase costs, operating expenses and complexity and make it more difficult to implement a consistent, globally scalable SSE architecture.

Pain Point #4: Change management

In addition to the technological challenge, the introduction of SSE also means profound organizational change. Employees have to get used to new access procedures, authentication processes and security guidelines, while IT teams take on new roles, tools and responsibilities. Without targeted communication and training, the changeover often leads to uncertainty, resistance and misuse. The paradigm shift towards Zero Trust in particular requires a new understanding of security and the elimination of old ways of thinking. Successful change management therefore relies on early information, transparent target images, pilot phases and close involvement of all stakeholders. Only if the benefits for users, IT and the organization are clearly communicated can acceptance be created and the change firmly anchored.

The most sustainable and economical alternative to isolated individual solutions is a holistic approach: Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). This framework combines cloud-based network functions with an integrated security architecture (SSE) to create a single, consistent platform. The concept is particularly effective in the form of Managed SASE: companies receive all network and security technologies from a single source - operated, monitored and continuously optimized by an experienced managed service partner. This reduces internal costs, improves scalability and ensures a consistently high standard of security.

«No company that wants to remain competitive can ignore SSE today,» emphasizes Stefan Keller, Chief Product Officer at Open Systems. «Secure and consistent network operation is the backbone of any digital organization - and therefore crucial for stability, efficiency and growth.»

Source: Open Systems