Barracuda launches cloud-native SASE platform for better data security

Barracuda Networks has launched its cloud-native SASE platform to enable businesses to control access to data from any device, anytime, anywhere.

The platform brings together Secure SD-WAN, Firewall-as-a-Service, Zero Trust Network Access, and Secure Web Gateway technology from Barracuda to achieve SASE convergence, the company states.

The Cloud-native SASE platform includes the releases of Barracuda CloudGen WAN and Barracuda CloudGen Firewall, to add several security and network capabilities. According to the company it achieves the following:

• Enables security services on customers cloud hubs, in addition to being able to run them directly on their site devices.
• Improves application performance with dynamic Forward Error Correction (FEC), extending SD-WAN benefits to branches with single ISP connectivity.
• Provides flexible secure remote access capabilities, minimising latency with point-to-cloud connectivity.
• Streamlines OT/IoT deployments by enabling scalable connectivity and out-of-the-box security, with Barracuda Secure Connector now able to network directly with CloudGen Firewall or cloud hub.

In addition, as part of the platform, Barracuda is integrating its ZTNA product, Barracuda CloudGen Access, with its cloud secure web gateway product, Barracuda Content Shield.

The integration of CloudGen Access and Content Shield features common identity, client, and installation.

According to Gartner's 2021 Strategic Roadmap to SASE Convergence, digitalisation, work from anywhere and cloud-based computing have accelerated cloud-delivered SASE offerings to enable anywhere, anytime access from any device.

The analysts state that security and risk management decision makers should build a migration plan from legacy perimeter and hardware-based offerings to a SASE model.

In addition, a recent independent study by Barracuda found that more than 80% of respondents indicated that they would consider a SASE solution that runs natively in their preferred Infrastructure-as-a-Service cloud vendor over a third-party offering requiring yet another cloud solution.

Barracuda SVP engineering for data, network and application security, Tim Jefferson, says, "As businesses move assets to the public cloud, it makes sense to consider going with SASE offerings that are cloud-native.

"That way there's proximity between network access entry and where the assets are, as well as the benefit of the global public cloud architecture.

Additionally, Barracuda states that businesses are facing increasingly complex threats and a shortage of skilled staff to respond to these issues.

To help address this, Barracuda recently acquired SKOUT Cybersecurity to expand its portfolio with a XDR platform for MSPs that is backed by a 24x7 SOC.

Barracuda also integrates its solutions with Open XDR platforms such as Stellar Cyber. Along with its expanded Professional Services offerings, Barracuda states the company is focused on helping close the gap in skilled staff to address the always-evolving threat landscape.

digit solutions GmbH managing director Stefan Depping also commented on the announcement, saying, "The SASE platform from Barracuda provides value to businesses that have cloud-first priorities to move network infrastructure, routing, security, and remote access to the public cloud. We're looking forward to working with Barracuda and our mutual customers on how we can best support them on their SASE journey.