Securing the modern network with Cisco Meraki and SASE

With the shift towards remote work, the growing adoption of cloud services, and the increasing number of IoT devices, the traditional network security perimeter has all but vanished. This new paradigm calls for a reimagined approach to network security—one that is dynamic, scalable, and integrated. Enter Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) combined with Cisco Meraki’s cloud-managed networking.

This article explores the transformative shift in how organisations can approach network security with the integration of Cisco Meraki and SASE.

The changing face of network security

Historically, network security relied on a clear perimeter—protect the headquarters, and everything inside is safe. However, with today’s distributed workforces, applications moving to the cloud, and devices connecting from anywhere, this model no longer suffices. Organisations are struggling to secure an ever-expanding perimeter, leading to increased vulnerability to cyber threats, data breaches, and compliance risks.

The challenges facing IT teams today

Decentralised workforces: Employees now work from anywhere, using a variety of devices and accessing resources that are no longer confined to on-premises data centres. This decentralisation makes it difficult to maintain consistent security policies and visibility
Fragmented security solutions: Many organisations have accumulated a mix of security tools from different vendors, leading to complex, siloed environments that are hard to manage and monitor. This fragmentation creates security gaps that adversaries can exploit
Increased cyber threats: Cyber attacks are more sophisticated and frequent than ever. Ransomware, phishing, and zero-day exploits are just a few of the threats that require a robust, comprehensive defence strategy
Need for scalability and agility: As businesses grow and evolve, so must their networks. Traditional security architectures struggle to keep up with rapid changes, often resulting in bottlenecks and degraded performance

How Cisco Meraki and SASE address these challenges

Unified security and networking: Cisco Meraki’s cloud-managed platform integrates seamlessly with SASE, combining networking and security functions into a single, cloud-native service. This unification simplifies network management and security, providing a consistent and comprehensive approach that adapts to the modern, distributed workforce.
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Meraki’s approach to ZTNA ensures that every connection to the network is authenticated and authorised, regardless of the user’s location or device. This model assumes that no user or device is inherently trusted, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorised access.
Advanced threat protection: SASE integrates advanced security features such as secure web gateways (SWG), cloud access security brokers (CASB), and next-generation firewall (NGFW) capabilities. Cisco Meraki enhances this with intelligent threat detection and response, utilising machine learning to identify and mitigate threats in real time.
Simplified management with a single pane of glass: Meraki’s intuitive dashboard provides IT teams with a single, unified view of their entire network. This single-pane-of-glass approach streamlines the management of networking and security policies, making it easier to enforce security measures consistently across all locations and devices.
Scalability and flexibility: Whether adding new branch locations, expanding remote access, or integrating new applications, Cisco Meraki and SASE provide the scalability needed to grow without compromising security or performance. The cloud-native architecture allows for rapid deployment and easy scalability, keeping pace with business needs.
Enhanced User Experience: By streamlining traffic paths and prioritising critical applications, Cisco Meraki ensures that users enjoy a seamless experience, regardless of their location. This is particularly important for remote workers who rely on consistent access to cloud-based applications.

The integration of Cisco Meraki with SASE represents a transformative shift in how organisations can approach network security. By unifying networking and security into a single, cloud-native solution, businesses can better secure their digital landscapes, reduce complexity, and empower their IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than tactical firefighting.

In an era where the network perimeter is constantly shifting, Cisco Meraki and SASE offer the agility, security, and simplicity needed to thrive. If you’re ready to explore how this solution can secure your modern network, reach out to us for a personalised consultation.