Not long ago, to protect their sensitive data and other IT assets, companies struggled to develop a network security architecture that isolated their internal network from the outside world. To achieve this, they often used a firewall (opens in a new tab) to block strangers and allow insiders in and out of the network.
However, this strategy had a fatal flaw, and that is the assumption that all cyber threats lurk from the outside, while everyone who is allowed access to the network can be trusted. This becomes even more true with the rise of cloud computing and the explosion of remote work, which means more and more workers and company resources are coming from outside the traditional perimeter.
Since both of these changes are here to stay in the coming year, a new approach to cloud solution security (opens in a new tab) it was destined to appear and is called Software Defined Edge (SDP).
So what is a software defined perimeter?
An SDP is a method of hiding all the infrastructure that is connected to the network (such as servers, operating systems, and wireless protocols) and making it invisible to outside users. Whether the infrastructure is hosted on premises or in the cloud, an SDP can be implemented and made secure. Since an SDP is a piece of software, its implementation process is simpler than with hardware solutions. In addition, more applications can be used.
SDP’s all-deny approach allows network access only through somewhat complex mutual authentication of authorized users and devices attempting to connect. To everyone else, the resources connected to the network remain completely invisible.
Not surprisingly, due to its approach to cybersecurity, SDP is sometimes referred to as a “black cloud.”
What is zero trust security and what is its connection to SDP?
As the name implies, a zero-trust security model assumes that no person, device, or network should be trusted by default. Therefore, before any of them can access the network, they must go through a rigorous identity verification and prove their supposed trustworthiness.
At the same time, a zero-trust model always gives everyone who wants to access the network a chance by asking them a couple of questions that should solve a mystery of their identity. Being identity-centric, a zero-trust security approach always addresses the user’s identity rather than the user’s IP address.
So how does this connect to SDP? An SDP paves the way for all types of businesses to implement a zero-trust security model on their private networks and ensure that their applications are protected wherever they are. Not a single device, not even the managing director’s laptop, cannot connect to its own company’s resources if it is not approved as an authorized device.
What does an SDP do?
In order for a person, device, or network to be classified as authorized, they must pass a multi-stage process that we will now cover.
one. Austere user authentication
As with identity-centric access management solutions, SDP securely authenticates your users before granting them access to virtually anything within the network. While SDP can be easily combined with single sign-on (SSO) solutions, authentication can involve a simple combination of a strong username and password, or something a little more security-savvy, like multi-factor authentication (MFA). and a hardware token. combination.
Paired with MFA or other advanced authentication solutions, SDP has the right software to reveal the real identity of would-be network users. This strengthens the company’s security by minimizing its vulnerability to data breaches due to poor credential security (for example, weak passwords).
two. Device Verification
The next step is device verification and includes checking if the user’s device is running on patched and updated software, inspecting for malware. (opens in a new tab) infections, see if the hard drive is encrypted, and similar security checks. This will limit access to a company’s sensitive data and resources to those devices that comply with the company’s security policies.
3. Administrator Approval
Once users and devices are authenticated, an administrator gives them approval to go through the SDP gateway, which is the actual step where access is allowed or denied.
4. Network connection is secured
As soon as this is achieved, an SDP gateway will open its doors and allow users to pass through. On the one hand, SDP secures the network connection to users’ devices, while on the other it ensures a secure network connection to services that users have been allowed access to. However, this connection is not shared with any other users or servers.
5. User is allowed access
Finally, the user can access data and network resources that were previously hidden. They can now continue to use their device as usual while operating within an encrypted network to which they and the services they are using belong.
SDP Applications
While there are a wide range of uses for SDPs, many businesses today are turning to them as an alternative to VPNs. These two are often compared, but SDPs and VPNs are considerably different in terms of security, ease of use, and speed performance.
For example, while VPNs allow all connected users to access the entire network, SDPs do not share network connections, showing that they are somewhat stronger when it comes to security. Furthermore, VPNs authorize network access based on the user’s IP address, while SDPs allow access based on identity.
In addition to this, an SDP is often used as part of a multi-cloud security solution, in combination with third-party services to reduce security risk, or as a way to speed up and ensure successful post-merger integration ( M&A).
Set up an SDP right away
With its specific security framework built for micro-segmentation network access, SDPs are a suitable choice to protect any type of business from potential cyber threats and to protect your security solutions. Additionally, SPDs might even be able to topple traditional VPNs by offering stronger security, a more user-friendly approach, and superior speed performance.