Secure connectivity What is secure connectivity?
With the rise of hybrid work, data breaches and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, it has become essential for organizations to ensure that employees, devices and systems can connect safely. In the traditional model where all applications were hosted in the data center, organizations could secure connectivity very well. But as applications move to the cloud and workers access applications from anywhere, the security perimeter is dissolving. Secure connectivity combines advanced security technologies such as SASE (secure Access Service Edge) and zero trust networking to enable safe, reliable and efficient communication across multiple locations, networks and devices.
- Why the need for secure connectivity
- How to enable secure connectivity
- HPE Aruba Networking and secure connectivity
Why the need for secure connectivity
The need for secure connectivity has intensified due to:
- Hybrid work: With employees now working from diverse locations, secure connectivity ensures they can safely access corporate applications and resources without compromising security. Hybrid work models require reliable protection against risks associated with unsecured networks and remote devices. By securing remote connections, businesses reduce the vulnerability of sensitive data accessed from anywhere.
- Increased cyber-threats: Cyber-threats are constantly evolving, and without secure connectivity, organizations remain vulnerable to attacks such as phishing, ransomware, and DDoS attacks. Secure connectivity incorporates various security measures to detect, prevent, and respond to threats across all types of networks, protecting both on-premises and remote assets from compromise.
- Sensitive data: Protecting sensitive data, such as customer information, intellectual property, and financial data, is essential for maintaining trust and compliance. Secure connectivity ensures data privacy through encryption, access controls, and security protocols that prevent unauthorized access and data leakage.
- Regulatory requirements: Regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS require organizations to protect personal and financial data. Secure connectivity helps companies stay compliant by incorporating features that control access, monitor data flows, and audit access logs, reducing the risk of costly fines and reputational damage.
How to enable secure connectivity
Achieving secure connectivity relies on a combination of technologies and best practices such as SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) and zero trust networking. SASE integrates SD-WAN with cloud security features like SWG, CASB, and ZTNA, providing smooth, secure connections to cloud and on-premises applications while ensuring consistent security policies across all access points. Zero trust networking is a security model that requires verification of every user, device and connection attempting access, assuming no implicit trust within the network. It limits access strictly to authorized resources, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access and lateral movement.
Here are some key functionalities essential for a robust secure connectivity framework:
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): ZTNA operates on the principle of "never trust, always verify." It ensures that users and devices are verified and granted access only to authorized resources. ZTNA minimizes the risk of unauthorized access by hiding applications from the internet and controlling access on a need-to-know basis. It enables organizations to replace legacy VPNs which are less secure and can give broad access to corporate resources, often result in poor user experiences.
- Secure Web Gateway (SWG): SWG protects users from accessing malicious websites by filtering web traffic, blocking harmful URLs, and enforcing web browsing policies. It helps mitigate risks from phishing, malware, and other web-based threats.
- Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): As sensitive data moves to SaaS applications, CASB secures the use of SaaS applications by enforcing security policies, protecting data through access controls and monitoring user activity. CASB ensures that cloud usage complies with security policies, protecting against data leaks, unauthorized access, and compliance violations.
- Secure SD-WAN: Secure SD-WAN combines SD-WAN’s networking capabilities with built-in security functions, including Next-Generation Firewall, segmentation, and threat detection, providing a secure way to connect branch offices, data centers, and cloud environments.
- Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW): NGFWs are advanced firewalls with capabilities beyond traditional packet filtering, including application awareness, IDS/IPS, DDoS protection, and micro-segmentation:
- Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (IDS/IPS) monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and can automatically block potential threats. IDS/IPS enhances secure connectivity by detecting and mitigating threats before they can exploit vulnerabilities within a network.
- DDoS protection defends networks from Distributed Denial of Service attacks that flood networks with malicious traffic, potentially causing downtime. It ensures connectivity remains reliable and accessible, even during a DDoS attack.
- Micro-segmentation enforces zero trust principles by dividing networks into segments to control access based on strict, continuously verified identity parameters. It limits lateral movement within networks, so even if a device is compromised, it can’t easily spread threats to other parts of the network.
HPE Aruba Networking and secure connectivity
The HPE Aruba Networking secure connectivity offering isa zero trust platform for protecting users, devices, and data across diverse environments. The HPE Aruba Networking Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solution integrates networking and security functions, creating a unified, cloud-delivered approach to secure connectivity.
- EdgeConnect SD-WAN: EdgeConnect SD-WAN combines optimized connectivity with advanced WAN features such as Path Conditioning, AppExpress, and WAN Optimization with a built-in Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) including IDS/IPS and adaptive DDoS protection. It also incorporates role-based segmentation to control traffic flows, ensuring that mission-critical and sensitive data remain secure across branch offices, cloud environments, and data centers. This combination of networking and security provides reliable, secure access to applications and resources while defending against advanced threats.
- HPE Aruba Networking SSE: HPE Aruba Networking SSE is a cloud-native platform that integrates ZTNA, SWG, and CASB capabilities. With a single policy engine and multiple global Points of Presence (PoPs), it delivers consistent, seamless security and optimized access worldwide. The platform includes agentless ZTNA for easy, secure third-party access without the need for endpoint agents, allowing organizations to secure web traffic, monitor cloud usage, and control access to sensitive applications across hybrid and remote environments.
- HPE Aruba Networking Central: HPE Aruba Networking Central provides NAC (Network Access Control) capabilities. It includes AI-powered discovery to profile all network-connected devices, including IoT, ensuring comprehensive visibility and control. With Network Detection and Response (NDR) capabilities, it detects patterns and rogue behavior through machine learning, proactively identifying potential security threats. Additionally, the solution implements role-based micro-segmentation to isolate traffic from mission-critical applications and IoT devices, limiting the risk of lateral movement and enhancing the overall security of the network.
By combining these solutions, HPE Aruba Networking helps organizations achieve secure connectivity that is both resilient and adaptable. This approach leverages the principles of zero trust, requiring authentication and authorization for each connection, and enables organizations to safeguard their networks and data against a wide range of cyber threats.
