95%
enhanced security
25%
reduction in network latency
95%
enhanced user experience
Revolutionizing Enterprise SaaS Access
Traditionally, enterprise networks were designed for local application access, with centralized security measures. This setup, however, became inadequate as enterprises expanded and increasingly adopted SaaS applications. The conventional model of routing all traffic through a central security stack was not only inefficient but also hampered the user experience due to increased latency and reduced network performance.
With the rapid adoption of SaaS solutions, including Microsoft Office 365 and cloud storage applications, the landscape of enterprise networks is undergoing significant changes. Recent reports indicate that 60% of enterprises use SaaS applications daily, and by 2021, 94% of workloads will be processed by cloud- based data centers. This shift has necessitated a new approach to network security and traffic management.
The Challenge
Addressing the Needs of Modern Enterprise Networks.
Traditional networks are not optimized for SaaS traffic.
SaaS provider security is often insufficient.
Lack of visibility can lead to data loss and insider threats.
Enterprise networks today face the dual challenge of ensuring robust security while maintaining optimal performance and user experience. The traditional hub-and-spoke model, where all traffic is routed back to a central security stack, creates significant performance bottlenecks and increases latency, negatively impacting user experience and productivity.
Optimizing SaaS Traffic and Enhancing Security
In partnership with an Industry Leader, Emumba’s team implemented a groundbreaking solution that fundamentally changes how enterprises handle SaaS traffic. The new approach involves a local breakout strategy, which routes SaaS traffic directly to the cloud from the nearest branch office, bypassing the central security stack. This method significantly reduces latency and improves user experience while maintaining stringent security measures.
Local Breakout: This technique allows for the optimization of SaaS traffic by routing it directly to the cloud, thus reducing the load on the central security stack and improving overall network performance.
Tenant Access Control: By restricting access to only sanctioned SaaS applications, the solution helps prevent data loss and enhances security.
Centralized Visibility: The solution provides full visibility into both sanctioned and unsanctioned SaaS traffic, allowing enterprises to monitor and manage their network more effectively.
Deploying Advanced SaaS Access Solutions
Over a period of 8 weeks, a dedicated team from Emumba and Industry Leader worked together to deploy a robust SaaS access solution. The implementation included:
Branch Office Devices: These devices identify and segregate SaaS traffic from non-SaaS traffic, enabling direct cloud routing for SaaS and ensuring optimal performance.
Central/Headquarters Devices: Larger-scale devices were deployed at central locations to handle higher traffic volumes and ensure no bottlenecks. These devices also provide enhanced security features and policy enforcement.
Centralized Visibility Tools: Tools were implemented to offer a centralized view of all SaaS and non-SaaS traffic, providing actionable insights and improving security monitoring across all locations.
The deployment included testing in select locations to ensure that the solution delivered superior performance and met all security requirements. The results demonstrated significant improvements in user experience and network efficiency, confirming the effectiveness of the new approach.
The implementation of SaaS access solution yielded remarkable results:
95%
enhanced security through tenant access control and centralized visibility.
25%
reduction in network latency. Users experienced faster and more responsive access to SaaS applications.
95%
enhanced user experience. The direct routing of SaaS traffic eliminated performance bottlenecks, resulting in a more efficient user experience.
100%
solution’s scalability; means that it can be extended to additional locations and integrated with existing security frameworks, making it a versatile tool for modern enterprises.
Lessons Learned
This effort provided us with several key lessons for the future:
Optimization and security must go hand in hand: Balancing performance with robust security measures is critical in today’s SaaS-driven environment.
Visibility is crucial: Comprehensive visibility into all network traffic is essential for maintaining security and preventing data breaches.
Scalability is key: Solutions must be scalable to accommodate growth and changes in enterprise network architecture.
Conclusion
A Blueprint for Future Success
Emumba’s innovative approach to securing SaaS access and enhancing user experience provides a blueprint for future network security strategies. The successful deployment of this solution not only demonstrates the value of local breakout and centralized visibility but also highlights the importance of collaboration and comprehensive planning in achieving enterprise security goals.