What MSPs Need to Know About SASE and the NSA’s Guidance on Zero Trust

The National Security Agency (NSA) has long been at the forefront of cybersecurity guidance, providing critical insights to help organizations protect their most valuable digital assets. One of the NSA's recent focal points is zero trust, emphasizing the importance of a robust security posture in today's increasingly complex digital landscape. This approach shifts away from the traditional perimeter-based security model and toward one that continuously validates users, devices and actions, regardless of where they originate.

According to a recent Barracuda report, 62% of organizations believe cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated. Because of this startling reality, MSPs increasingly find themselves on the front lines of implementing robust security frameworks, enhancing cybersecurity measures and protecting sensitive data while understanding the NSA’s guidance on zero trust.

Never Trust, Always Verify

At the core of the NSA's recommendations is the principle of "never trust, always verify." This approach requires continuous authentication and authorization of users, devices and applications before granting access to network resources. The NSA emphasizes the need for multifactor authentication (MFA), strong encryption and granular access controls as additional components of a comprehensive zero-trust strategy.

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According to a recent Vanson Bourne report, 83% of organizations surveyed stated that the increased use of remote devices is their top cybersecurity concern. This is where secure access service edge (SASE) comes into the picture. As workloads and apps move out of the corporate data center, SASE provides users with a more secure connection to those assets, beyond the corporate VPN.

SASE is a cloud-based framework that combines network security functions with software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) capabilities. It provides an integrated platform for security tools like firewalls, secure web gateways, and cloud access security brokers while reducing the complexity for MSPs and IT teams.

Zero trust is a core component of every SASE platform and is, therefore, seamlessly integrated with the other functions. SASE ensures that data and applications remain secure regardless of where they reside. This assurance aligns closely with the NSA’s recommendations, thus allowing MSPs to effectively integrate SASE solutions and offer comprehensive security services to their clients.

And while SASE doesn’t equal zero trust, achieving zero trust is at the core of SASE. Zero trust network access (ZTNA) is an implementation of the zero trust concept that focuses on network access control, with direct access combined with microsegmentation, as well as identity-based access. For MSPs looking to adhere to the NSA’s zero trust guidelines, it’s essential to consider implementing SASE within their customers' environments.

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SASE Best Practices

One key best practice MSPs can follow to implement SASE within their customers’ environments is to conduct thorough assessments of their existing network infrastructure and security posture. This evaluation should include identifying potential vulnerabilities, mapping data flows, and understanding user access patterns. Armed with this information, MSPs can tailor SASE implementations to address specific security gaps and operational requirements.

Another critical aspect is the implementation of robust identity and access management (IAM) systems. MSPs should work with their clients to establish strong authentication protocols, including MFA and adaptive authentication based on risk factors such as user location, device health and access patterns. This approach ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive resources, regardless of their physical location or the device they're using.

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MSPs should also focus on implementing comprehensive visibility and monitoring capabilities across their customers' networks. These tools enable MSPs to detect and respond to potential security incidents quickly, minimizing the impact of breaches and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Data protection is another crucial area where MSPs can add value through SASE implementation. By leveraging cloud-based security services, MSPs can help their clients encrypt data in motion, ensuring that sensitive information is protected both at rest and in transit. This includes implementing encryption for data in motion and at rest, as well as establishing strict access controls and data classification policies.

Network segmentation is a fundamental principle of both ZTNA and SASE. By dividing networks into smaller, isolated segments, MSPs can limit the potential impact of security breaches and prevent lateral movement by attackers. This approach aligns with the NSA's recommendation for microsegmentation and helps organizations achieve a more granular level of access control.

As part of their SASE offerings, MSPs should also focus on providing secure remote access solutions that align with ZTNA principles. This includes implementing software-defined perimeter technologies and moving away from traditional VPN-based approaches. By adopting cloud-delivered security services, MSPs can offer scalable, flexible and secure remote access solutions that adapt to changing business needs and emerging threats.

MSPs should also establish regular security assessments, penetration testing and vulnerability scanning processes for their clients. This proactive approach helps identify and address potential security gaps before they can be exploited by threat actors.

Finally, MSPs must prioritize employee training and awareness programs as part of their SASE and ZTNA implementations. This training includes educating both their own staff and their clients' employees about security best practices, the principles of zero trust and the importance of maintaining a security-first mindset in all their digital interactions.

By adhering to NSA guidelines for ZTNA and implementing SASE best practices, MSPs can significantly enhance their security offerings and provide their clients with robust, adaptable and comprehensive cybersecurity solutions. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, these approaches will be crucial in safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining customer trust in an increasingly interconnected digital world.