{"id":25281,"date":"2025-02-14T16:21:55","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T21:21:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sherweb.com\/blog\/?p=25281"},"modified":"2025-09-29T02:15:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T06:15:18","slug":"sase-strengthens-edge-device-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/r-swca2-app15-sherwebbl-change-font-czgcf8cmcjh3asb3.canadacentral-01.azurewebsites.net\/blog\/security\/sase-strengthens-edge-device-security\/","title":{"rendered":"How SASE strengthens edge device security"},"content":{"rendered":"

This blog, authored by Sherweb’s Cybersecurity Technical Fellow Roddy Bergeron<\/a>, explores how SASE enhances edge device security strategies to help IT providers mitigate risks and future-proof their networks.<\/em><\/p>\n

Edge device attacks are no longer a hypothetical threat; they\u2019re an active battleground for cybercriminals<\/a>. VPN gateways, firewalls, and routers\u2014once trusted access points\u2014are now prime targets. If MSPs don\u2019t rethink security strategies, they risk being the next headline.<\/p>\n

In February 2025, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security<\/strong><\/a> published new guidance on security considerations for edge devices, emphasizing how cybercriminals are increasingly targeting these critical network components. Edge devices, such as virtual private network (VPN) gateways, firewalls and routers serve as critical entry points between internal networks and external untrusted environments (like the internet) making them prime targets for exploitation.<\/p>\n

A recent example is the wave of attacks on VPN gateways<\/a>, where cybercriminals exploited unpatched vulnerabilities to gain access to corporate networks, leading to significant data breaches. The reality is clear: MSPs need to reinforce edge security now to mitigate risk and stay ahead of evolving threats.<\/p>\n

The biggest risks to edge devices (and what you can do about them)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Cybercriminals target edge devices through well-known weaknesses. Understanding these risks is the first step in defense.<\/p>\n

Key threats to edge devices:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Misconfigurations and mismanagement:<\/strong> Improper configuration or management<\/a> can expose vulnerabilities, allowing unauthorized access or control.<\/li>\n
  2. Vulnerability exploitation:<\/strong> Attackers often exploit known vulnerabilities<\/a> in edge device software to gain unauthorized access or disrupt services.<\/li>\n
  3. Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks:<\/strong> Overwhelming edge devices with excessive traffic can render them unresponsive, disrupting network availability.<\/li>\n
  4. Web-based application vulnerabilities:<\/strong> Flaws in web-based interfaces of edge devices can be exploited to gain unauthorized access or control.<\/li>\n
  5. Default configuration settings:<\/strong> Using default settings<\/a> can leave devices vulnerable, as these defaults are often well-known to attackers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Protecting these vulnerable access points is essential to ensuring security and compliance<\/a> across client networks.<\/p>\n

    How SASE reinforces edge security<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer sufficient. MSPs must adopt a proactive, adaptive approach\u2014this is where Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) comes in.<\/p>\n

    SASE is a cloud-native security architecture that consolidates multiple security functions\u2014including Secure Web Gateway<\/a> (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker<\/a> (CASB), Firewall as a Service<\/a> (FWaaS), and Zero Trust Network Access<\/a> (ZTNA)\u2014into a single service model.<\/p>\n

    Before SASE:<\/strong><\/h3>\n