Acting as a reliable extension to traditional VPN access, SSL VPN licenses help to take business network security a few steps further. While it’s still more than relevant in today’s cybersecurity landscape, it doesn’t translate to everything related to zero trust network access (ZTNA). Taking a look at a SonicWall SSL VPN license vs Cloud Edge Security can help to offer a lot of clarity here.
To understand why this is important for the future of your company’s network security, you’ll need a grasp of zero trust security and its core principles. On top of this, it’s essential to look into SonicWall’s new Cloud Secure Edge (CSE), which ties into ZTNA in more ways than one. This article aims to compare the two, so there’s no question about which option is best for a zero-trust security setup.
Evolution in SonicWall Network and Cloud Security Solutions
Well known in the realm of cybersecurity for their hardware, SonicWall network security appliances are still a go-to choice for many companies out there. However, it’s important to highlight that it isn’t all they bring to the table.
From firewall hardware to various security licenses, wireless access points, and more, SonicWall is an innovator on this side of the industry. Their stance on Cloud Edge Security is a great example of this, and we’ll get into why that is in the sections below. First, let’s take a look at a few key differences between their SSL VPN Nextender licenses and CSE solutions.
What is the SonicWall SSL VPN Nextender License?
Enabling secure remote access from any computer, the license helps to reduce traditional complexities and costs in the IT space. It also supports remote users with full network layer access to custom business resources and other tools like email, file sharing, and more.
Here are several key details about the ins and outs of these SSL VPN licenses:
- Offers seamless Layer-3 Access
- Provides a virtual adapter for secure point-to-point access
- Granular access control through multiple IP ranges and routes
- Forces all traffic through the SSL VPN tunnel, applying firewall-based security services
- Deployable through the browser and works with Windows and Linux PCs
There’s nothing wrong with this on paper, but with a deeper look into the cybersecurity landscape, the SonicWall SSL VPN vulnerability starts to show. Considering the growing importance of zero-trust security, this becomes even more apparent.
From broad permissions to poorly segmented networks, and many other potential exploitations, the vulnerabilities shouldn’t be overlooked. This is where ZTNA comes in, as well as the growing relevance of what makes SonicWall’s CSE different in comparison.
What is SonicWall Cloud Edge Security?
CSE focuses on secure access as well, but helps to eliminate those potential vulnerabilities. Wrapped into a single solution, CSE combines remote access VPN, firewall, web proxy, ZTNA, and more, all in one. This not only simplifies deployment for businesses but also improves user experience and security at the same time.
Take a look at some of the highlights from CSE in the list below:
- Supports Zero Trust Network Access, enforcing least privilege and role-based access
- Scalable and cost-effective VPN for accessing SaaS, cloud servers, and on-premise resources
- Continuous verification of user identity and device security posture before granting access
- Supports integration with existing firewalls as well as legacy VPNs
- Only trusted devices with up-to-date security patches, anti-virus, and unrooted/un-jailbroken status gain access to resources
It not only offers zero trust support but takes a comprehensive approach to network access as a whole. CSE is an excellent addition to any company’s network security stack. In addition to that, CSE integrates with existing hardware and legacy VPNs. This supports a phased migration to cloud-based zero trust security without disrupting operational continuity along the way.
SonicWall SSL VPN License vs Cloud Edge Security
If you’re new to the topic or just now hearing about CSE, it can help to streamline your grasp of the situation a bit. You’ll find several security categories in the table below that offer a direct comparison between various angles of SonicWall SSL VPN license vs Cloud Edge Security.
| Category | SSL VPN License | Cloud Secure Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Network Access Control | Provides Layer-3 access to the internal network | Provides zero-trust access to on-prem, hybrid, and cloud resources |
| User Authentication | Standard SSL VPN login | Continuous user verification with MFA, and integrates with IdPs for context-aware authentication |
| Data Encryption & Security | Forces traffic through an SSL VPN tunnel, leveraging firewall encryption and host-based anti-virus | End-to-end encryption with cloud-delivered security services |
| Device Trust / Endpoint Posture | Basic checks through Capture Client and relies on remote workstation security | Device-based posture assessment ensures only trusted, patched, unrooted/un-jailbroken devices have access to resources |
| Zero Trust Network Access | No support | Fully integrated ZTNA, granular, least-privilege access to apps and resources with continuous trust evaluation |
Once you dig into the fine print a bit more, it becomes pretty clear where these two stand on the zero-trust security front. While SSL VPN licenses are still a viable solution to make your security efforts more robust, they won’t help you much when it comes to ZTNA.
The Bottom Line
Above all else, it’s helpful to understand that the context of SonicWall SSL VPN license vs Cloud Edge Security highlights their use cases and capabilities. If you’ve gotten this far, then it’s evident that CSE is what you’re looking for when it comes to zero-trust security.
So, when it comes to zero-trust security, it doesn’t hurt to ask yourself: What is the best way to secure a network firewall? Consider reaching out to our team members to learn more about how easy it is to integrate CSE into your existing business security stack. It’s an impressive addition to enhance the existing firewall hardware you’re already working with.
