Edge security focuses on cybersecurity for devices, apps and end-users that are outside the borders of centralized data centers and secured corporate networks. Edge security uses a balance of software, hardware and AI-automation to reduce the security vulnerabilities of dispersed employees and edge computing devices.

As more and more employees work from home and edge computing becomes more popular, the demand for improved security at the edge of networks is increasing. This is because these trends stretch WANs and IT teams to new limits, and introduce new security challenges and vulnerabilities for corporate networks.

What is edge computing?

Edge computing shifts computing power and data storage away from centralised cloud computing resources and closer to the source to improve latency and efficiency for large networks.

An example of edge computing would be an IoT device that deciphers vehicle number plates from a video camera and then checks that against a centralized database. This removes the need to upload a video or still image, queue it for processing and then wait for a match, vastly improving the efficiency of the physical security process.

Businesses adopting IoT and edge computing also need to consider security not just in the cloud but also at the edge.

How does edge security compare to cloud security?

Cloud security, the protection of centralized databases, APIs and computing resources that form the backbone of many large corporations and software providers, covers the many security vulnerabilities that come with moving sensitive business data around the internet including:

  • AI-Threat monitoring (based on global trends and reports)
  • Network or host intrusion detection
  • Virus-based: Malware and botnets, ransomware, spyware
  • Behavioral-based protection (0-day protection) - Zero day protection is to help guard networks against brand new threats that have not been seen before
  • Firewalls (Network communication enforcement)
  • Denial of Service attacks (DDoS)
  • Access control for allowed domains and blocked lists
  • VPN and Proxy Avoidance

Edge security builds on cloud network security to further mitigate risks introduced by adding additional access points and IoT devices to corporate networks, and focuses on the same fundamentals as traditional network security:

Encryption – such as secure tunneling to improve data protection between edge devices and central servers

System visibility - the ability to view all nodes of a network on a single pane of glass

Continuous monitoring - real-timethreat detection and surveillance to notify of security risks or intrusions as they occur.

Access control - limiting a CPE or IoT device’s access to business critical data and sensitive information.

The principle of least privilege – using concepts like zero trust security to ensure that a compromised IoT device or CPE can do minimal damage to a bigger network.

Let’s discuss in more detail why edge security is important, and why you need it.

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Edge computing security - Why you need it

The edge computing example mentioned above introduces several new entry points and ways to compromise sensitive data, and when scaled up across a large organization can vastly increase the potential attack surface of a corporate network.

Some of the dangers of ignoring your edge network security are:

  • Lost time and productivity due to data loss including corrupted or stolen data
  • Increase the workload of IT teams for disaster recovery from malware or hacker attacks
  • Loss of customer or shareholder confidence due to data breaches or network downtime
  • Legal proceedings from customers who experience data theft
  • Regulatory actions due to failing to follow through on regulatory compliance and data safeguards
  • Legal proceedings from customers who have lost data (or sensitive information has been leaked, leading to problems such as identity theft)
  • Competitor (or users without authentication) accessing confidential, mission-critical information
  • Tarnished brand reputation and additional PR costs

While it’s true that many online services that you might use, such as cloud storage, have taken steps to protect data on their systems, they are only focused on one part of the data handling process for your business. It would be relatively easy for a third-party business to pass the blame for a data breach on to some other system, or possibly lax security on the part of the business, as the cause.

Ultimately, as a business owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure you are reviewing the big picture, all your security controls, the complete journey of where your data (or your customer’s data) starts, and ends.

What can you do to improve your edge security?

To take control of your own network security, it is best to employ a system that is focused on strengthening the vulnerable parts of your network - this can be divided into two main areas: your network and the devices used on your network.

Strengthening your network security

Your business networks face threats from both internal and external sources. To protect your network from external dangers, look to use endpoint protection.

Endpoint protection is focused on minimizing the danger from the entry (or exit) points to your network through connected devices. This is commonly the attack path for outside threats. Endpoint protection can provide autonomous, real-time prevention, detection, and response to any type of security threat.

You’ll also need centralized management and enforcement of your network security policies, including whitelisting domains (allowed domains) and protection against DNS traffic redirection.

Improve device security

The other area of your network that should be strengthened are the devices themselves, especially mobile devices that can be used outside of working hours and frequently connect to public networks.

Using remote device management software, you can make sure that all devices that use your business network are using best-practice security such as staying up-to-date with the latest software, including firmware and doing regular device backups. Device management software can also help improve overall device security and health, including monitoring data usage. Simply having better management of your device inventory — knowing all the devices on your network and where they are — helps to improve your network security.

Protect your cloud edge network with Inseego

For improved network security, covering both your network software and connected hardware, Inseego provides two important parts of your edge cloud security: Inseego Connect and Inseego Secure.

Additionally, Inseego devices with built in security features can secure your network with improved threat prevention and add basic firewall abilities into all your devices. suited to decentralized workforces, such as staff working from home (Inseego devices also have Open VPN built in) as well as improving IoT device security.

For more information about secure edge device management and the security benefits of Inseego solutions, read more about Inseego Connect, Inseego Secure, and SD-Edge worksite security.