Cybersecurity In The Times Of Edge Computing
Among these trends we can mention the growing use of the cloud and software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications, which move data from the traditional data center to cloud services, the increasing number of remote locations, and even teleworkers their homes, Boyd, the proliferation of IoT devices, etc.
With digital transformation, the amount of data traversing networks grows at an exponential rate. Data is generated everywhere: from smartphones to smart industrial equipment to those not too distant future autonomous vehicles equipped with artificial intelligence and machine learning. And in many of these environments, fast, latency-free processing is essential. In autonomous vehicles: a large amount of data has to be processed from the sensors in a fraction of a second. Otherwise, the response can be fatal.
This new IT paradigm has also changed how network infrastructures have to be conceived and secure. Conventional network architectures are often overly dependent on physical infrastructure, and we are witnessing a proliferation of tools, solution silos, manual processes, and a lack of automation. These are rigid architectures in which all traffic is concentrated and routed to a central data center, resulting in performance problems at the network’s edge. Together, these shortcomings can hamper an organization’s flexibility, agility, and ability to expand its network.
All these trends have moved a considerable amount of data and computing capacity from the traditional data center to the “periphery”, in a technological model that has come to be called “edge computing”/”fog computing”. The vehicle example consists of processing the data in the vehicle itself or its relative proximity. The data is not transmitted to a central network node but is processed directly on local nodes and servers.
Securing the end of the network, this new scenario means that the concept of traditional perimeter security has practically disappeared and a new approach to cybersecurity is required. Now the perimeter is each user and device, and a new conception of ICT security is needed that would overcome the limitations of conventional network and security architectures and respond to the challenges presented by recent technological trends focused on mobility, the cloud, SD-WAN, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Central to this approach is integration. Integrate areas that have traditionally been separated such as cybersecurity and network architecture and management, since it considers that in complex network architectures, network management and security are two aspects of the same reality and must be regarded simultaneously.
With this security approach, managing and securing the network goes from being the responsibility of devices that reside on servers to virtual applications and containers and microservices hosted in the cloud. This enables organizations to simplify security management, increase capacity and flexibility to scale, dynamically implement network and security capabilities as needed, and use network and security resources in versatile ways, such as cloud-based applications.
This approach combines the benefits of the cloud with the help of edge computing. SD-WAN is considered the basis of new network architectures since it is decentralized architecture, in which there are multiple nodes and access points. In this way, critical latency-sensitive applications gain direct access to the cloud.
In short, this new approach to network security offers an integrative approach for companies to make the most of the digitized world’s opportunities and overcome obstacles. Because a mosaic of different solutions will no longer meet the requirements for secure and stable networks. Central, integrated, and therefore simple network and security solutions are the foundation for a future of cloud-based decentralized edge computing.
