What Is Secure Network as a Service? A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Organisations in today's digital-first world require networks that are secure, scalable, and adaptable in order to meet changing business needs and cyber threats. Presenting a secure network as a service (Secure NaaS), a groundbreaking method that blends strong, integrated security with the flexibility of cloud networking. Learn what is a secure network as a service, how it operates, its advantages.

What Is Secure Network as a Service?

A cloud-based model known as "secure network as a service" offers networking and security features as a single, subscription-based service. Organisations can access a fully managed, scalable network infrastructure with integrated security controls—on demand and from anywhere—instead of depending on complicated, on-premises hardware and disjointed security tools.

Example

Consider a retail chain that is quickly growing throughout multiple cities. In the past, every new store would need its own IT personnel, firewalls, and network hardware to be set up. The business has a cloud-based platform subscription with secure network as a service. No truck rolls or complicated setups are required when new stores open; they just connect to the service to immediately obtain secure, centrally managed connectivity.

How Does Secure Network as a Service Work?

Safe NaaS centralises networking and security operations by utilising cloud technology. Businesses use a service that offers the following benefits in place of buying, setting up, and maintaining physical routers, firewalls, and security appliances:

• Virtualised networking (VPNs, switching, and routing)
• Security services (encryption, threat detection, and firewalls)
• Centralised administration through a cloud dashboard

By abstracting away the intricacies of network administration and security, this model enables businesses to concentrate on their core competencies while delegating the technical burden to their provider.

Hypothetical Scenario:

A software business adopts a remote-first strategy. Employees can safely access company resources from any location in the world by using secure NaaS. Using a single cloud dashboard, the IT staff controls network performance, security policies, and access, guaranteeing reliable security and efficiency.

Core Components of Secure NaaS

1. SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network)

• Traffic is dynamically routed for optimum dependability and performance.
• gives priority to important apps and guarantees uninterrupted cloud connectivity.

Example:

Despite varying internet conditions, a multinational law firm uses SD-WAN to guarantee high-quality video calls and document transfers between offices in New York, London, and Mumbai.

2. SASE (Secure Access Service Edge)

• combines security and networking features into a single cloud-native service.
• provides uniform security policies for all users and devices, no matter where they are.

Example:

SASE is used by a university where staff and students use resources from home, overseas, and on campus. Every user has the same level of security, and central policy management is handled by the IT staff.

3. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

• The maxim "never trust, always verify" applies to network access.
• guarantees that resources can only be accessed by verified users and devices.

Example:

ZTNA is adopted by a financial services provider. To lower the risk of data breaches, employees can only access sensitive databases following multi-factor authentication and device health checks.

4. Secure Web Gateway (SWG)

• blocks harmful websites and enforces policies by filtering and monitoring web traffic.

Example:

SWG is used by healthcare providers to protect patient data and ensure compliance by preventing staff members from inadvertently visiting phishing websites or downloading malware.

5. Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

• keeps an eye on and protects data while it travels between users and cloud apps.

Example:

In order to ensure compliance with client contracts, a marketing agency uses CASB to monitor and manage the sharing of sensitive client data through cloud-based collaboration tools.

6. Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)

• firewall protection for every network edge provided by the cloud.

Example:

With FWaaS, a logistics company with dozens of warehouses secures every location, removing the need for local firewall appliances and guaranteeing uniform security everywhere.

Benefits of Secure Network as a Service

Compared to conventional networking models, selecting secure network as a service has several benefits:

• Flexibility and Scalability: Easily scale up or down without spending money on hardware.
• Cost-effectiveness: Replace capital expenditures (CapEx) with predictable operating expenses (OpEx).
• Centralised Management: Reduce complexity by managing security and the network from a single dashboard.
• Improved Security: Integrated security features that are constantly updated guard against new threats.
• Faster Deployment: Without waiting for hardware, launch new websites, users, and apps more quickly.
• Remote Access: Facilitate remote and hybrid workforces by securely connecting users and devices from any location.
• Compliance: Automated security updates and reporting make it simple to maintain regulatory compliance.

Case Study:

In a year, a tech startup grows from one office to five on three continents. They can maintain consistent security and performance without adding more IT staff by onboarding new locations in days rather than months with secure NaaS.

How to Choose the Right Secure NaaS Provider

Take into account the following when assessing a secure network as a service provider:

• Security Features: Seek out advanced threat protection, ZTNA, and integrated SASE.
• Scalability: Verify that the platform can expand to accommodate your company's needs.
• Management Ease: Automation and centralised dashboards are essential.
• Support for Compliance: Confirm adherence to industry rules (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.).
• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Verify responsiveness and uptime guarantees.
• Integration: Interoperability with your current on-premises and cloud infrastructure.

Hypothetical Scenario:

HIPAA compliance is required of a regional hospital network. In order to protect patient data and make audits less stressful, they select a secure NaaS provider with integrated compliance reporting, automated security updates, and round-the-clock support.

FAQs

1. What is secure network as a service (Secure NaaS)?

A cloud-based solution known as "secure network as a service" offers networking and security functions as a single, subscription-based service. It removes the need for complicated on-premises hardware and dispersed security tools by giving businesses access to scalable, centrally managed network infrastructure with integrated security controls.

2. How does secure network as a service work?

Safe NaaS centralises networking and security operations by utilising cloud technology. Through a cloud dashboard, businesses can access security services (firewalls, encryption, and threat detection), virtualised networking (VPNs, switching, and routing), and centralised management, which improves the efficiency and security of network administration.

3. What are the main components of secure network as a service?

The following are essential elements of secure NaaS: Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) for cloud app data protection, Secure Web Gateway (SWG) for web traffic filtering, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) for stringent access control, SD-WAN for optimal connectivity, SASE for networking and security combined, and Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) for cloud-delivered firewall protection.

4. What are the benefits of using secure network as a service?

Flexibility and scalability, cost-effectiveness through the conversion of CapEx to OpEx, centralised management, enhanced security with constantly updated features, quicker deployment, secure remote access, and simpler regulatory standard compliance are all provided by Secure NaaS.

5. How is secure network as a service different from traditional networking?

Organisations with multiple locations, remote or hybrid workforces, quickly expanding companies, and sectors with stringent compliance requirements—like healthcare, finance, retail, and education—will find Secure NaaS ideal.

6. Which types of organizations benefit most from secure network as a service?

Advanced security features like SASE and ZTNA, scalability, management ease, compliance support, robust service level agreements (SLAs), and smooth integration with your current infrastructure are important factors to take into account.

7. What should I look for in a secure NaaS provider?

Yes, secure NaaS is ideal for small businesses since it offers enterprise-grade security and scalability through a straightforward subscription model, doing away with the need for significant upfront investments in hardware and IT personnel.

8. Is secure network as a service suitable for small businesses?

Yes, secure NaaS is ideal for small businesses since it provides enterprise-grade security and scalability through a straightforward subscription model, doing away with the need for significant upfront investments in hardware and IT personnel.

9. How does secure NaaS support remote and hybrid workforces?

By combining security policies and remote access controls into a single cloud-based platform, Secure NaaS supports remote and hybrid work and provides safe, dependable access to corporate resources from any location.

10. How can I monitor the performance of my secure network as a service deployment?

The majority of secure NaaS providers enable IT teams to promptly detect and address problems by providing centralised dashboards and analytics tools for real-time network performance, security event, and compliance status monitoring.

Conclusion

The way that businesses handle networking and security is changing thanks to secure network as a service. Businesses benefit from increased agility, strong security, and easier management when these crucial tasks are consolidated in the cloud. Adopting secure NaaS can help you stay ahead of changing threats and future-proof your network, regardless of how big or small your company is.

Visit Network as a Service, your reliable partner in safe, cloud-based networking, for additional information and customised solutions.