COMtuity Connection Blog

At COMtuity, we specialize in helping businesses optimize their IT infrastructure. Our partnership with CommandLink brings you the best in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) technology. With the internet growing rapidly, it’s essential to keep up with the trends. The internet is experiencing a 28% compound annual growth rate for bandwidth. Networking limitations are causing 50% of application deployments to suffer performance impacts. Security attacks have tripled year over year. To manage these trends, network visibility, control, predictability, adaptability, and a feedback loop based on analytics data are crucial for maintaining a secure network.

Understanding SASE

SASE integrates Wide Area Networking (WAN) capabilities with comprehensive security services into a single cloud-delivered service. This setup includes:

• Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)
• Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

These components work together to provide secure and efficient access to applications and data from anywhere.

Key Components of CommandLink’s SASE

Secure Web Gateway (SWG)

SWG protects against internet-based threats by filtering malicious software and enforcing security policies. It inspects web traffic in real-time, preventing malware and phishing attacks.

Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

CASB acts as a control point between users and cloud services, ensuring that security policies are applied consistently across all cloud applications. It provides visibility and control over data in transit and at rest.

Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)

FWaaS delivers advanced firewall capabilities without the need for physical appliances. This cloud-based approach allows for consistent security policies across all locations, providing deep packet inspection, intrusion prevention, and traffic management.

Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

ZTNA enforces the principle of zero trust, where no user or device is trusted by default. It requires continuous verification of user identities and device integrity before granting access to resources. This minimizes the risk of insider threats and compromised devices.

Technical Advantages of CommandLink’s SASE

Unified Policy Management

CommandLink’s SASE offers a centralized management console for all networking and security policies. This unified approach simplifies administration and ensures policy consistency across the entire network.

Real-Time Threat Detection and Response

Using machine learning and AI, CommandLink’s SASE identifies and mitigates threats in real-time. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of breaches, ensuring that threats are neutralized before causing harm.

Optimized Network Performance

Integrating SD-WAN capabilities, CommandLink’s SASE optimizes traffic routing. This ensures that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and low-latency paths, enhancing performance for VoIP, video conferencing, and other real-time applications.

Scalability and Flexibility

The cloud-native design allows CommandLink’s SASE to scale effortlessly with your business. Whether expanding to new locations or increasing user capacity, the solution can adapt without requiring significant hardware investments.

Comprehensive Visibility and Analytics

CommandLink provides deep visibility into network traffic, user activity, and security events. This comprehensive analytics capability allows IT teams to monitor performance, detect anomalies, and generate detailed reports for compliance and auditing purposes.

Why Choose COMtuity?

Implementing SASE can be complex. COMtuity simplifies this process. We provide comprehensive planning and implementation services, ensuring a smooth transition to SASE​​​​.

Our customer-centric, vendor-agnostic approach means we recommend the best solutions tailored to your needs. We work closely with your IT team to understand your current infrastructure, identify gaps, and develop a detailed implementation plan.

Steps to Implement CommandLink’s SASE

Assessment and Planning

• Conduct a thorough assessment of your current network architecture and security posture.
• Identify critical applications, user locations, and existing security policies.
• Develop a detailed implementation plan outlining the steps and timeline for deploying SASE.

Proof of Concept (PoC)

• Implement a PoC to validate the SASE solution’s performance and security capabilities.
• Test the solution with a subset of users and applications to identify potential issues and refine configurations.

Deployment and Integration

• Roll out the SASE solution across your network, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems and applications.
• Configure policies and access controls to align with your security requirements.

User Training and Change Management

• Train IT staff and end-users on the new SASE environment to ensure smooth adoption.
• Develop a change management plan to address any resistance and ensure users understand the benefits of the new system.

Ongoing Management and Optimization

• Continuously monitor the performance and security of the SASE deployment.
• Use analytics and insights to optimize configurations and address emerging threats.
• Regularly review and update policies to adapt to changing business needs and security landscapes.

Conclusion

CommandLink’s SASE solution offers a robust combination of security and network performance in a single, unified platform. For IT leaders, this means less complexity, improved security, and better overall performance.

COMtuity is here to guide you through the complexities of SASE implementation. With our expertise and customer-focused approach, we ensure that your transition to SASE is smooth and beneficial.

Ready to enhance your network security with CommandLink’s SASE? How will a unified approach to network management benefit your organization? Schedule a consultation with COMtuity today to start your journey toward a more secure and efficient IT infrastructure.