Edge cybersecurity revolves around devices at the edge of a network transmitting sensitive company information. These devices are a prime target for hackers. Ensure your data is protected with multi-factor authentication, strict access control, and monitoring.
With the shift to remote working and a proliferation of software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications, the need for robust security measures has never been more critical.
Encryption
Edge computing involves data processing outside the traditional network, which makes it a target for hackers. Businesses must take robust measures to safeguard that data, including encrypting it in transit and at rest.
Companies should also ensure their security software is updated regularly. Edge locations tend to receive less attention than other remote sites, so they can be left running vulnerable software for longer than necessary. A zero-trust solution that provides centralized management capabilities can make it easier to update all edge locations at once instead of going site by site or cluster by cluster to perform updates.
Businesses should consider integrating their edge security strategy with their cloud computing. That could mean choosing a provider that offers a secure, open hybrid multi-cloud platform or easily integrates with existing IT infrastructure, such as a software-defined vast area network (SD-WAN). Leaders should also look for edge features robust enough to withstand technological changes and simple enough to upgrade over time.
Network Security
As businesses move to edge computing, they must consider the network’s logical and physical security needs. It is because edge devices must process incoming data locally rather than send it to the cloud and back. It can lead to reduced processing latency but also exposes data to attacks.
The solution is to ensure that any device connecting to the network can only access resources within the local area. It can be achieved through network edge security, which uses a zero-trust model and safeguards all traffic between cloud-based systems and remote locations. The security system will enforce two-factor authentication and enable the use of RBAC rules for fine-grained control over who can authenticate, authorize, and utilize the cloud services.
Network edge security is vital for the success of any business as it helps to protect the network from external threats and prevent unauthorized users from accessing critical data. For example, it will help secure connections over the WAN and ensure only authorized employees can connect. It will also help encrypt transit data between the networking core and edge devices.
Access Control
Edge computing moves the processing to where the data is rather than sending it to a central location. It reduces data transfer times and improves processing latency. But it comes with a security risk.
A strong edge security strategy is needed to protect this data. It should include physical and logical measures such as in-transit and at-rest data encryption, stringent authentication and authorization rules, and multi-factor authentication. Businesses should also consider zero trust for the edge, which requires a network architecture that adheres to a strict policy of only allowing secure connections.
Attribute-based access control (ABAC) can help with this. Attributes such as the time of day, the device location, or even a user’s geographic origin can be used to determine whether the system should allow them in. This type of access control can limit the potential for data breaches or exfiltration. In addition, it can make a massive difference in performance as ABAC is usually more flexible than role-based access control (RBAC). It means that users only have permission to complete tasks, such as uploading files, creating and editing documents, or using chat applications.
Monitoring
The edge can be a rugged terrain from a security perspective. In addition to the ubiquity of devices and a distributed structure, edge computing can present multiple attack points for hackers. It is especially true when the technology processes data locally and transfers it back to cloud services or data centers, where centralized security management and monitoring can be more challenging.
For this reason, looking for a solution that offers multi-factor authentication, zero-trust networking, granular access control, and isolated data protection services is critical to streamlining and strengthening security at the edge. Ideally, the service is compatible with open hybrid multi-cloud platforms to ensure it works seamlessly with existing infrastructure.
A consistent configuration across all remote locations is the best-practice approach to securing the edge. It can be accomplished using a centralized platform that remotely updates the software running on devices at the edge, such as nebulous ON. It ensures that users have the same configuration and security settings, reducing the likelihood of attackers successfully accessing sensitive information.
Logging
The edge is often connected to the internet for cloud services and other purposes, and that can open up security risks. Protecting the edge with a robust framework that combines logical and physical safety measures is vital.
That might include using encryption for local and in-transit data at the edge, centralized management of device configurations, zero trust models that separate devices from the business VPN or internet, and data isolation to strengthen security. It also involves using consistent tooling for application development, opening APIs to power real-time data, and deploying applications in multiple locations without compromising performance.
Edge computing may be a relatively new concept, but it’s one that businesses should consider as they revamp their cybersecurity strategies to reflect the changing landscape. It’s not just another security appendage but a critical component of the entire ecosystem. Businesses must balance people, policies/procedures, products, and processes to protect their assets. Doing so can reduce their risk and keep their operations running smoothly.
