Key Technologies for Securing NaaS Environments

Security Considerations for NaaS

For enterprise businesses choosing managed Network-as-a-Service (NaaS), security has become a shared responsibility. Just as NaaS differs from traditional networking, developing NaaS security measures requires a new and different perspective. Generally, NaaS providers maintain edges and infrastructure, while businesses manage data security, applications, and access controls. For distributed network services - which can include cloud, remote, and on-premise environments - the deployment of dynamic, software-defined architectures can boost security and adapt to changing usage scenarios.

‍

When reviewing security strategies for cloud or distributed NaaS environments, companies

should consider the significant benefits available with the following architectures:

• SD-WAN (software-defined WAN)

• SASE (secure access service edge)

• ZTA (zero trust architecture)

‍

Key Architectures Securing Distributed NaaS Environments

‍

SD-WAN Benefits

When integrated with managed network services, SD-WAN delivers effective protection for

data and users against incoming threats and disruptions. A software-defined WAN enhances

NaaS security and improves performance through features like encryption, firewalls, secure

web gateways (SWG), intelligent traffic steering, and data loss prevention (DLP). Both SD-WAN

and NaaS provide cost-effective, centralized management capabilities, which allow for better handling of security policies. Additionally, SD-WAN supports zero trust architectures, enabling the implementation of robust and layered security features across network environments.

‍

SASE Benefits

By combining security and networking functions into a unified, cloud-based service, SASE

delivers comprehensive security for NaaS environments. Integrated security features -

including firewalls, cloud access security brokers (CASB), SWG, zero trust network access

(ZTNA), and SD-WAN - improve visibility, help enforce security policies consistently, and

optimize edge performance. Because SASE solutions are cloud-based, organizations can scale

their security and network capabilities easily, as needed across global locations.

‍

ZTA Benefits

Zero Trust Architectures (ZTA) deliver a security framework built on the principle of “never trust,

always verify” - a tried and true cybersecurity mantra. ZTA focuses on continuous verification

and least-privilege access, which protect resources and applications across the network. For

NaaS environments, zero trust network access (ZTNA) is the go-to technology to help

companies implement ZTA principles across their distributed networks. ZTNA is context aware

and relies on identity verification and least privilege to enforce access controls across

applications and resources, for all users and devices located anywhere.

‍

Powerful Combination

Used together in a NaaS environment, SD-WAN, SASE, and ZTNA can create a robust, layered,

and integrated security posture that improves network performance and efficiency. Each piece

serves a critical role in fortifying the network environment:

• NaaS - creates a foundational, flexible infrastructure featuring basic security features

• SD-WAN - enhances NaaS environments with intelligent traffic routing across a variety of

connections for better performance and reliability

• SASE - adds powerful layers of cloud-based security functions to NaaS and SD-WAN,

ensuring network traffic is assessed and secured across locations and devices

• ZTNA - enforces identity-based access, ensuring only validated users and devices can

access specific applications

‍

This powerful combination simplifies network and security management, helping organizations

to deflect incoming threats, adapt to changes more easily, and scale infrastructure as needed. By combining the strengths of NaaS, SD-WAN, and SASE with embedded ZTNA technologies, enterprise businesses can develop a more secure, flexible, and cost-effective infrastructure to meet the ongoing demands of distributed work environments. With proper planning and strategy - and effective coordination between businesses and managed providers - organizations can achieve success both in the implementation phase and the ongoing

optimization of their NaaS security across dynamic environments.

‍

Fastblue Solutions

Click here to learn how Fastblue managed SASE and SD-WAN solutions can boost your global business.

‍

‍