First and foremost, you must ensure your company has good chemistry with the provider of your choice. It requires effective communication and good negotiating skills.
Look for a solution that fully integrates with a single source handling consultation, design, implementation, deployment, monitoring, and maintenance. It includes repair and upgrade services.
Cost
Many businesses are reimagining how they operate in the new era of remote work. This reimagination often includes changing the security infrastructure. It can mean implementing a secure remote access solution like a virtual private network (VPN). However, this can put the company at risk of compromise if suitable precautions aren’t taken.
Companies can look for a vendor like Ngena that offers unified security and networking services to reduce this risk. Doing away with segmented solutions and simplifying things will aid in cost reduction. It will help reduce costs by eliminating siloed solutions and reducing complexity. Ideally, the provider will offer a single platform that delivers vital security capabilities such as SWG, CASB, ZTNA, cloud firewall (FWaaS), cloud sandbox, and cloud data loss prevention (DLP).
The cost of the services provided by an edge security provider can vary widely. It is vital to find a provider that has transparent pricing structures and will not hide any fees. Ask for monthly costs, including one-time activation or equipment rental fees, administrative costs, and taxes. Also, ask for any service guarantees, such as a monetary refund or prorated costs.
Finally, ensure the provider clearly explains how it protects endpoints and networks from cyber threats. It should include an overview of the technology that underpins the product and how it will help keep data safe.
Flexibility
With workplace flexibility on the rise, enterprises face new threats to their network and data from remote employees. To address this, edge security solutions should have built-in visibility of internal systems to detect potential threats that might not be visible from the perimeter. Effective products should also support a variety of network and application-based policies, including threat protection, data security, and acceptable use monitoring.
Another thing to look for in an edge security solution is its ability to avoid “vendor lock-in.” You don’t want a product incompatible with other software platforms, making migrating workloads to the cloud or on-premise servers challenging. Also, a solution that can’t check for updates and available patches could leave your network vulnerable to security breaches.
A good edge security vendor can provide multiple pricing models, including consumption-based and subscription-based. Be sure to compare costs before selecting a provider, as different pricing models have pros and cons. Generally, subscription-based and consumption-based pricing is the most cost-effective for businesses.
Microsoft Edge’s enhanced security feature automatically applies stricter browser settings to sites you rarely visit while adapting to your browsing habits. It prevents memory-related vulnerabilities that malicious parties can exploit. This feature is turned on by default, but you can turn it off.
Security
When choosing an edge security provider, check out their security measures. It will ensure they can protect your data from hackers and other online threats. Look for features like cloud sandbox, malware detection, and threat intelligence. In addition, look for services that can detect abnormal behavior patterns and block suspicious activity.
An edge security solution can provide many benefits for your business. For example, it can help you eliminate your attack surface by reducing the number of devices in your network. It can also prevent malware from entering your organization through email or other channels. It can also help you meet regulatory compliance requirements by encrypting all data traffic. It can also reduce costs and complexity by providing a zero-trust platform that is easy to manage.
Lastly, look for an edge security provider that offers flexible pricing. Some providers offer consumption-based or subscription-based pricing models, saving you money. However, review your contracts carefully before signing them, as some may lock you into a long-term agreement. If you have questions about a contract, contact the security provider directly and ask for clarification. Also, look for any add-on services that the company offers. These extras can make or break your security efforts.
Integration
A key feature to look for in an EDGE solution is the ability to monitor a network across multiple locations and branches. It is a way to reduce or eliminate the need for IT support staff on-site at each location, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Ensure the solution provides data logging, notifications, and automation capabilities to alert IT personnel of device configuration changes or potential security risks. It should also include a kill switch for hardware-enforced stack protection and advanced operating system protections like enhanced security.
When choosing an edge security provider, look for a cloud-native security platform that offers all essential cybersecurity and threat protection in one package. This approach combines SWG, CASB, zero-trust network access (ZTNA), cloud data loss prevention (DLP), and cloud browser isolation (CBI) into a single solution.
Full integration means you won’t have to worry about managing a separate solution for each business activity, like a law firm versus a manufacturer. It will save you time and money while giving you the peace of mind that comes with knowing all your security needs are covered by a single vendor. Also, if something goes wrong with the integrated solution, you know who to call to fix it. Look for a provider with a dedicated team to handle maintenance, repairs, and upgrades and technicians with a proven track record of responding quickly to critical issues.
