Secure access and network security

Replace scattered VPNs and branch appliances with identity-aware access and one policy for sites, cloud and remote users.

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The problem

“We need to connect sites, cloud and remote users without a flat, trusted network.”

Branch appliances, VPN concentrators and cloud security groups each carry their own rules. Over time they drift apart and nobody can say who can reach what.

Remote and contractor access often grants a whole network segment when a user needs one application. A single stolen login then reaches far more than it should.

Proposed approach

  1. Step 1

    Map applications and who needs them

    List the applications users reach, where they run and which user groups need them. This becomes the policy baseline for access that is granted per application, not per network.

  2. Step 2

    Move access to an identity-aware service

    Put users, devices and sites behind a cloud-delivered access and inspection layer (SASE or Zero Trust). Start with one group, such as contractors or one region, before widening.

  3. Step 3

    Consolidate policy and logging

    Define one policy set for web, private application and cloud access, and send its logs to the monitoring platform so access decisions can be reviewed.

Implementation considerations

  • Application inventory, including legacy and non-web applications
  • Branch connectivity, link quality and the migration path from existing WAN
  • Identity provider integration and device posture checks
  • Traffic inspection, privacy and data residency requirements

Expected operational benefits

  • Access granted per application instead of per network
  • One policy view across sites, cloud and remote users
  • Smaller blast radius when a credential is stolen

Products that address this

Products we work with for this requirement. Details are draft summaries pending vendor confirmation.

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Cato SASE Cloud

Cato Networks · Cloud and network

Unified SD-WAN and cloud-delivered network security (SASE)

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