This blog, authored by Sherweb’s Cybersecurity Technical Fellow Roddy Bergeron, explores how SASE enhances edge device security strategies to help IT providers mitigate risks and future-proof their networks.
Edge device attacks are no longer a hypothetical threat; they’re an active battleground for cybercriminals. VPN gateways, firewalls, and routers—once trusted access points—are now prime targets. If MSPs don’t rethink security strategies, they risk being the next headline.
In February 2025, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security 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.
A recent example is the wave of attacks on VPN gateways, 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.
The biggest risks to edge devices (and what you can do about them)
Cybercriminals target edge devices through well-known weaknesses. Understanding these risks is the first step in defense.
Key threats to edge devices:
- Misconfigurations and mismanagement: Improper configuration or management can expose vulnerabilities, allowing unauthorized access or control.
- Vulnerability exploitation: Attackers often exploit known vulnerabilities in edge device software to gain unauthorized access or disrupt services.
- Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks: Overwhelming edge devices with excessive traffic can render them unresponsive, disrupting network availability.
- Web-based application vulnerabilities: Flaws in web-based interfaces of edge devices can be exploited to gain unauthorized access or control.
- Default configuration settings: Using default settings can leave devices vulnerable, as these defaults are often well-known to attackers.
Protecting these vulnerable access points is essential to ensuring security and compliance across client networks.
How SASE reinforces edge security
Traditional perimeter-based security models are no longer sufficient. MSPs must adopt a proactive, adaptive approach—this is where Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) comes in.
SASE is a cloud-native security architecture that consolidates multiple security functions—including Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)—into a single service model.
Before SASE:
- MSPs juggle multiple disconnected security tools, increasing misconfigurations.
- VPN reliance creates bottlenecks and expands attack surfaces.
- Remote access security is inconsistent, exposing clients to lateral movement attacks.
After SASE:
- Unified policies prevent gaps and misconfigurations.
- ZTNA ensures only the right users access critical applications.
- Continuous security updates reduce exposure to zero-day threats.
Why strategy matters more than tools
Rather than focusing solely on having security tools, MSPs need a strategic approach to deploying them effectively. SASE enables IT providers to close security gaps, reduce attack surfaces, and provide clients with a future-proof security framework that evolves alongside emerging threats.
SASE’s core advantages for edge security:
- Unified security management: SASE provides a centralized platform for managing security policies across the network, reducing the risk of misconfigurations and ensuring consistent policy enforcement.
- Continuous threat monitoring and automatic updates: By leveraging cloud-native capabilities, SASE solutions offer real-time monitoring and automatic updates to address emerging vulnerabilities, minimizing the window of exposure to potential exploits.
- DDoS protection: Integrated security services within SASE can detect and mitigate DoS and DDoS attacks, maintaining network availability and performance. Cloud flexibility allows overstressed resources to expand or contract as needed as well as provide failover.
- Secure access controls: With ZTNA, SASE enforces strict access controls, ensuring that only authenticated and authorized users can access specific applications and services, thereby reducing the risk associated with default or weak configurations.
- Adoption of Zero Trust – By only allowing granular access and following least privilege access methods, SASE reduces the footprint an attacker can use to exploit vulnerabilities or gain access to data. This can help companies more easily adopt a zero trust strategy.
SASE as a competitive advantage
SASE isn’t just about security—it’s about business transformation. MSPs that integrate SASE deliver scalable, adaptive security solutions that protect clients while enhancing service efficiency. Instead of constantly reacting to threats, IT providers can focus on growth, innovation, and strengthening client relationships.
Unlike complex enterprise solutions that require months of integration, Sherweb makes SASE adoption straightforward. Our cloud marketplace simplifies procurement, and our expert team helps MSPs deploy security faster, with less overhead.
Why now? Elevating security and business growth
Cyber threats aren’t slowing down, and neither should your security strategy. SASE aligns with best practices by:
- Scalability – Grows alongside your clients’ evolving needs.
- Cost efficiency – Consolidates security tools into a unified, streamlined platform, reducing overhead.
- Improved performance – Reduces latency and optimizes network performance through dynamic security services.
“Cyber threat actors have increasingly exploited vulnerabilities in edge devices to compromise organizations worldwide.” – Canadian Centre for Cyber Security
Cybersecurity is shifting from castle-and-moat defenses to dynamic, adaptive perimeters. Traditional security was like locking doors and hoping for the best. SASE is like facial recognition at every entry point—constantly verifying who’s coming in and shutting down suspicious activity before it starts.
The best IT providers aren’t just solving today’s security challenges—they’re preparing for tomorrow’s threats. Secure your clients’ networks with SASE today and establish yourself as a cybersecurity leader.
If securing edge devices is on your radar, it’s time to take the next step. Explore how SASE fits into your long-term security strategy and how it can position you as a leader in the cybersecurity space.
