Dream world for the CISO
Companies must vigilantly protect a multitude of valuable resources. Some assets are decidedly easier to safeguard than others. While it may seem obvious, it’s actually the intricate complexities that keep a chief information security officer (CISO) lying awake at night. Before delving into more complex scenarios, consider a hypothetical situation where a chief information security officer (CISO) can rest easy knowing their organization’s cybersecurity posture is robust and secure.
As employees begin their workday, whether on-site or remotely, they power up their company-issued laptops and log in to the cloud-based software application, seamlessly connecting to the digital workspace. The employee accesses the URL via their web browser, then securely logs in using their Single Sign-On (SSO) provider and verifies their identity through biometric authentication, specifically by scanning their fingerprint on the device. In the background, a consumer connects to the application via a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution, seamlessly authenticating through either OpenID Connect (OIDC) or OAuth 2.0 – the modern and secure authentication methods designed specifically for cloud-based services.
Ensuring this ideal scenario is a straightforward task.
- Fashionable, cloud software
- Coverage-driven software entry
- Phishing-resistant authentication
- Trusted, managed machine
The truth verify
Despite this seeming paradox, the very ideal scenario can sometimes be the most unlikely catalyst for a security incident. Attackers are leveraging vulnerabilities in legacy systems where deploying supplementary security measures and implementing comprehensive protection proves challenging, such as resisting phishing through multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)? As organisations embark on infrastructure modernisation, it is crucial to develop a strategic plan for managing the residual legacy assets that will remain in place, presenting potential security risks if left unchecked.
What may be performed?
Layered safety with RADIUS
One often-overlooked yet far-reaching authentication protocol is the Distant Authentication Dial-In Consumer Service. The Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) is a widely accepted network-based authentication protocol enabling users and devices to securely access a network or system.
When your team is capable of deploying devices, understanding that routers, switches, Wi-Fi access points, and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) all leverage RADIUS authentication, Cisco can provide assistance. Cisco’s ISE solution provides a comprehensive community entry management framework, integrating Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) capabilities to ensure secure access control. The purpose of this security measure is to safeguard both employees accessing the company network from within the office premises and staff members connecting remotely via Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections.
As the limitations and security risks associated with traditional VPN architectures have been extensively documented, organizations are increasingly migrating to modern solutions like Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) to ensure a safer and more reliable online environment. Many organisations struggle with the reality that numerous legacy functions are ill-suited for Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), causing them to cling to their Virtual Private Network (VPN) infrastructure. It’s no surprise that many organizations are adopting a zero-trust approach, yet 98% of them haven’t achieved full maturity in doing so. As they embark on this odyssey, they find themselves ensnared in a perpetual struggle.
Where Cisco is readily accessible. Safe Entry features integrated zero-trust network access (ZTNA) and each capabilities. This feature enables organisations to transform their VPN infrastructure and migrate to a cloud-based solution using Cisco’s cloud capabilities, reverting to VPN as a Service (VPNaaS) if Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is not feasible. Customers enjoy seamless connectivity to both legacy and modern applications, regardless of whether they require VPN or ZTNA compatibility, as the underlying technology manages the complexity in the background.
Organizations deploying ISE can capitalize on its seamless integration with VPNaaS use cases to provide an additional layer of security, thereby enhancing overall network protection. When customers engage with VPNaaS through a seamless connection, their data is safeguarded by the robust combination of Cisco’s ISE authentication, advanced posture evaluation, and granular community segmentation, all streamlined via a single, intuitive agent.
Our solution starts by combining VPNaaS and Cisco ISE, providing a robust foundation for security. Building on this foundation, we then introduce an additional layer of protection through another form of authentication, thereby realizing the true potential of multi-factor authentication (MFA). Cisco Duo provides assistance for legacy VPNs by integrating the Duo Authentication Proxy into a company’s environment, allowing servers to be included in the corporate atmosphere. When utilizing Duo with ISE and VPNaaS, a notable benefit emerges, enabling RADIUS authentication without requiring an additional server within your environment. As users navigate to their cloud-based applications, the familiar Duo Push notification greets them with a sense of familiarity and normalcy.
Even when authenticating with RADIUS, users enjoy a seamless experience while organisations benefit from layered security measures that help close potential vulnerabilities in the attack surface.
Companies can safeguard their customers by leveraging Consumer Safety Suite’s robust features, allowing them to create a safer and more trustworthy environment for all stakeholders.
In the virtual realm, a corporation may utilize cutting-edge technology and sophisticated protocols to safeguard its assets comprehensively. Despite these challenges, organisations possess diverse assets that require comprehensive security measures to ensure their integrity and protection. By integrating community safety through Cisco ISE with various instruments, Cisco provides real-time options that enable seamless modernization and long-term sustainability. Allow Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) a restful night’s sleep?
To gain a deeper understanding of how Cisco’s Consumer Safety Suite can safeguard your workforce currently.
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