Hybrid working has become the new normal, fundamentally reshaping how organisations operate. Employees now expect the flexibility to work from anywhere, whether at home, in the office, or on the move.

But while this shift has brought many benefits, it also presents significant challenges—particularly for cybersecurity. As work environments become more distributed, the attack surface cyber criminals can exploit grows significantly, making traditional security models insufficient.

This shift to hybrid work has forced organisations to rethink how they approach network and security. More than ever, there's a need for seamless, flexible solutions that protect both users and data across various locations. This is where the convergence of networking and security comes in, working together to support the hybrid work model by delivering consistent, secure access to applications and data, regardless of where employees are located.

In today’s digital landscape, siloed network and security infrastructures simply aren’t enough. A converged approach, where networking and security work in tandem, makes it easier for IT teams to operate efficiently. Network and security should not be two separate conversations, or teams. Reducing complexity, simplifying management and creating better experiences are key metrics by which an IT team can measure their success upon.

Hybrid work demands flexibility, and the convergence of network and security delivers this by providing secure access across distributed environments without the need for additional hardware or constant on-site intervention. It’s the backbone of modern hybrid work solutions, offering protection while keeping business operations running smoothly.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a key part of this network and security convergence. Coined by Gartner in 2019, SASE describes a cloud-native architecture that integrates SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Networking) with a suite of security services. It’s designed to provide secure, high-performance access to resources at the network's edge—wherever users or devices are located.

Unlike traditional security models, which rely on physical data centres or VPNs, SASE delivers security directly from the cloud. This makes it ideal for organisations embracing hybrid work, as it eliminates the complexities of managing on-premises infrastructure while securing user data and devices across a range of locations. With SASE, organisations can ensure that their employees have secure, flexible access, regardless of where they’re working from.

Deploying SASE effectively requires close collaboration between network and security teams, whether in-house or outsourced. With a converged approach, both teams can work together to secure the network in a scalable, flexible, and agile manner. By breaking down silos between network and security departments, organisations can move away from isolated decision-making and embrace a more cohesive, holistic approach to cybersecurity.

This collaboration not only improves security posture but also enhances user experience, enabling seamless access to business-critical applications without compromising on security. Whether your employees are working remotely, in the office, or a combination of both, a SASE solution ensures that email, real-time messaging, document collaboration, and project management tools work without interruptions.

Today workplaces are flexible, employees are no longer tied to one physical location. By adopting a SASE solution, you can create a security framework that is flexible enough to accommodate remote working and robust enough to defend against emerging cyber threats. 

Together with Fortinet, we offer integrated solutions that bring together the best of networking and security to support your hybrid workforce. Our Managed Fortinet SD-WAN solution provides seamless, secure access for all your employees, regardless of their location.

Additionally, our integrated NOC and SOC services offer comprehensive protection, monitoring, and assurance, allowing your business to focus on growth while we handle the complexities of security.

Instead of relying on outdated security models, it’s time to embrace a modern, cloud-first approach with SASE. This shift will not only secure your hybrid workforce but also set the foundation for a more agile, scalable, and secure digital future.