Cisco launched a new and expanded Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solution to facilitate network operations (NetOps) and security operations (SecOps) teams securely connect users to applications. It also announced the enhancements to its cloud-native platform, SecureX to manage new and emerging threats efficiently.
With the launch, Cisco introduces the ability to purchase all core SASE product components in a single offer to easily transition to a single subscription service in the future using Cisco’s integrated architecture
Cisco's SASE architecture includes best-in-class networking, remote access, cloud security, zero trust network access, and observability combined in a single subscription service to deliver seamless, secure access to any application, over any network or cloud, anywhere users work.
Commenting on the announcements, Gee Rittenhouse, SVP and GM of Cisco’s Security Business Group said, “As the workforce is increasingly hybrid, traditional network and security frameworks can no longer keep pace with this new way of doing business. There has never been a more critical time to deliver something radically different, as every customer is unique and needs flexibility when determining how SASE architecture fits into their environment.”
Cisco features that address new SASE use cases:
Data Loss Prevention: Cisco Umbrella data loss prevention (DLP) enables organizations to discover and block sensitive data being transmitted to unwanted destinations, while preventing data exfiltration and supporting compliance mandates.
Remote Browser Isolation: Cisco Umbrella remote browser isolation enables users to safely browse websites while protecting end user devices and corporate networks from browser-based exploits.
Cloud Malware Detection: Cisco Umbrella cloud malware detection finds and removes malware from cloud-based file storage applications. As more organizations move business-critical data to cloud-based applications, they need to ensure that users can access them, even from unmanaged devices, and that those cloud applications are safe.
Expanding Cisco SD-WAN Cloud Onramp: The release of SD-WAN 17.5 powered by Viptela expands cloud onramp capabilities for predictable and secure application experiences. Cisco expands beyond AWS and Azure to now add new cloud integrations including Google Cloud and Megaport.
In addition, Cisco SD-WAN powered by Meraki further extends connectivity from branch sites to resources in public cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, Alibaba Cloud.
New SD-WAN and Cloud Security Integration: Cisco SD-WAN powered by Meraki and Umbrella integrates with Cisco Umbrella to speed cloud-native security deployments across distributed locations with simplified Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) tunnel connectivity.
Observability: Part of the new SASE offer, ThousandEyes’ internet and cloud intelligence enables organizations’ visibility and actionable insights into every network, from any user to any application, so they can remediate incidents quickly and maintain reliable connectivity and digital experience.
Passwordless Authentication: to enable zero trust with a frictionless login experience, Duo unveiled infrastructure agnostic, passwordless authentication, available for public preview this summer. Enterprises can seamlessly protect a mix of cloud and on-premises applications without requiring multiple authentication products or leaving critical security gaps.
SecureX Innovation to simplify security
To further simplify and protect against emerging threats, Cisco provides complete protection from endpoint to the cloud with SecureX platform enhancements that reduce dwell time for SecOps and automate tasks involved with detecting and remediating threats. New automated workflows include SolarWinds supply chain attack investigation, phishing investigations and threat investigations using latest intel from Cisco Talos, one of the largest commercial threat intelligence teams in the world. These enhancements reduce time to detect threats by 95 percent, and time to remediate by 85 percent. The open platform also provides turnkey configuration with more than 35 third-party technologies including Google, ServiceNow, Splunk, and more.
To address integration and automation at the endpoint, Cisco Secure Client, a newly integrated connector for Cisco Secure Endpoint, AnyConnect, and Umbrella, simplifies deployment and management for greater efficiency and efficacy. Cisco Secure Client serves as a local control point and early warning system for advanced threats in solutions such as SASE, Zero Trust, and Extended Detection and Response (XDR).
