As cyber threats continue to evolve, businesses are being compelled to adopt more flexible and robust security measures to protect their operations, data, and employees. A recent study by Xalient, highlighted in their research report titled ‘Why SASE is the Blueprint for Future-proofing Your Network in 2025 and Beyond’, reveals that a staggering 99 percent of surveyed organisations have experienced a cyber-attack within the past year. This alarming statistic has left many CEOs apprehensive, with 58 percent from PwC's 25th CEO Survey identifying cyber-attacks as a significant threat to their business models.
The landscape of business operations has shifted dramatically with the rise of remote and hybrid working models, fundamentally altering both employee expectations and the cybersecurity framework. The shift has led to an expanded attack surface; unsecured Wi-Fi networks and unattended devices increase the likelihood of a cyber breach. Notably, Xalient’s research indicates that 44 percent of organisations experienced cyber incidents due to remote working, with additional threats arising from operations linked to subsidiaries (40 percent) and roaming workers (39 percent).
Despite the shift towards remote working being established, many security teams still grapple with implementing adequate protections. The management of disparate security policies across various locations and devices complicates maintaining a comprehensive safety net, often resulting in lapses in organisational security. Traditional perimeter-based security models struggle under these conditions as they operate under the assumption of trust within the network, a presumption that does not align with the needs of a more dispersed workforce.
Adding to this complexity, employees increasingly utilise personal devices for professional tasks, further diluting the effectiveness of security measures. Personal smartphones, for instance, can inadvertently expose organisational data to risks when connected to company networks, as they do not operate under the stringent protocols typically enforced on corporate devices. According to Zimperium's 2024 zLabs Global Mobile Threat Report, a significant 82 percent of phishing sites target mobile devices, exposing organisations to further vulnerabilities.
Amid these challenges, experts are advocating for a strategic shift towards Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions, which integrate security and networking to accommodate modern work environments. These solutions, grounded in zero-trust principles, provide extensive security controls across distributed settings, ensuring that every user and device is thoroughly authenticated before accessing sensitive resources. This approach not only mitigates the risks associated with insider threats and unauthorised access but also reduces the overall attack surface.
The Xalient research, which surveyed 700 IT, network, and security leaders who have implemented SASE solutions, reveals several motivating factors behind this approach. A considerable 28 percent of respondents cited enhanced threat protection as a primary benefit, while 27 percent acknowledged improved security relating to breaches. Additionally, 30 percent recognised an upsurge in the performance of essential software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications as a pivotal advantage of adopting SASE.
As organisations navigate the complexities introduced by hybrid and remote working models, security teams must pivot away from traditional methods and embrace innovative solutions tailored to today’s threats. The SASE framework emerges as a strategic response, empowering organisations to secure their networks and data effectively while ensuring the safety of their employees in an ever-evolving work landscape.
Stephen Amstutz, Director of Innovation at Xalient, underscores the significance of adapting to these developments as the future of work continues to unfold.
Source: Noah Wire Services