Category: Group Policy Object (GPO) Management

Group Policy Object (GPO) Management, and How Akku GPO Manager Simplifies It

How do enterprises keep thousands of users and devices aligned with the same security and compliance standards? The answer often lies in Group Policy Objects (GPOs). For decades, GPOs have been the go-to method for IT teams to control system settings, enforce security policies, and streamline administration across Windows environments.

But the way we work has changed. Today’s enterprises are hybrid, cloud-first, and increasingly diverse in the devices and operating systems they manage. Traditional GPO management, while powerful, was never designed for this level of complexity. Managing policies manually or staying locked into a single ecosystem not only slows down IT teams but also increases the risk of gaps in security and compliance.

In this blog, we’ll break down what GPO management really is, why it matters for modern enterprises, and how tools like Akku GPO Manager are making policy governance simpler, more cost-effective, and future-ready.


Understanding GPO (Group Policy Object) and Why It Matters

If you have ever managed an enterprise IT environment, you know how complex it can be to enforce consistent rules across hundreds or thousands of devices. That is where Group Policy Objects (GPOs) come in.

A Group Policy Object is a feature in Microsoft Windows that allows IT administrators to define and enforce configurations for users and computers across a domain. These configurations can cover everything from password policies and firewall rules to software installation and desktop restrictions.

At its core, GPO management ensures that every user and device complies with organizational security and productivity standards. Instead of configuring machines one by one, IT teams can apply policies centrally and ensure uniformity across the environment.

Why Does GPO Management Matter?

In a modern enterprise, security and consistency are non-negotiable. Every device connected to your network represents both an asset and a potential risk. Without centralized policy management, organizations face:

  • Security gaps

    A single overlooked or misconfigured system can create an entry point for attackers. Misalignments in password strength, firewall settings, or access privileges often become the weakest link in the chain.

  • Compliance challenges

    Industries bound by regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO 27001 must demonstrate consistent policy enforcement. Without GPOs, proving compliance across devices is resource-heavy and error-prone.

  • Operational inefficiency

    Manual configuration wastes valuable IT resources. Imagine having to enforce the same rule manually on hundreds of endpoints. Not only does this slow down operations, but it also increases the risk of mistakes.

  • User productivity issues

    Consistent policy enforcement helps avoid conflicts that affect users, like inconsistent application access or misaligned security settings that slow down daily work.

  • Scalability limits

    As organizations grow, so does the number of endpoints and users. Without a centralized system like GPOs, scaling becomes chaotic and difficult to control.

In short, GPO management is not just about convenience. It is about safeguarding the organization’s security posture, ensuring compliance, and enabling IT teams to keep pace with the demands of a growing workforce and evolving threat landscape.

Common Challenges in Traditional Group Policy Management

While GPOs are powerful, traditional management methods come with their own set of headaches:

  • Complexity

    Managing dozens or hundreds of GPOs across large environments can quickly become overwhelming. Dependencies and conflicts often crop up, leading to misconfigurations.

  • Limited visibility

    Tracking which policies are applied where isn’t always straightforward, making troubleshooting and audits time-consuming.

  • Manual effort

    Traditional GPO management often requires hands-on work, which eats into IT resources and slows down responses to new threats.

  • Microsoft ecosystem lock-in

    Traditional GPO management ties organizations to Active Directory environments, creating dependency and high licensing costs.

  • Modern environments

    Hybrid workforces bring macOS, Linux, and mobile devices into the picture, and traditional GPOs don’t extend well beyond Windows systems.

These limitations make it clear that enterprises need a modern, flexible, and more cost-effective way to handle group policy management.

How Does Akku GPO Manager Meet Modern Enterprise Needs?

Akku GPO Manager is designed to address the challenges of traditional GPOs while supporting modern enterprise environments.

With Akku, IT teams can:

  • Control device policies from a single dashboard
  • Apply policies across all operating systems, not just Windows
  • Avoid vendor lock-in and high licensing costs
  • Gain real-time visibility into policy compliance
  • Simplify audits and reporting

This centralized approach not only reduces operational complexity but also strengthens an organization’s overall security posture.

Key Features of Akku GPO Manager

Modern enterprises need more than just basic GPO management. They need a solution that provides visibility, control, and security across all devices and operating systems. Akku GPO Manager delivers this through a set of robust, enterprise-ready features designed to simplify device governance and strengthen compliance.

Centralized Device Policy Control
Akku allows IT teams to manage all device policies from one unified dashboard. Whether you want to apply settings to a single device, a department, or the entire organization, the platform provides granular control without creating administrative bottlenecks. This centralized approach reduces configuration errors and ensures that security policies are applied consistently across all endpoints.

Device Security Policies
Security is at the core of every modern enterprise. Akku helps enforce critical measures, including firewalls, strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, and restrictions on unsafe networks. Browser security controls are also included, allowing administrators to block risky websites, disable private browsing, and manage extensions, giving every device a consistent security posture.

Data Privacy Policies
Akku empowers organizations to prevent misuse of sensitive data. It can disable screen capture tools, cameras, and microphones when needed, and restrict access to cloud storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive. Additional authentication requirements during system startup ensure that only authorized users gain access, further protecting enterprise data.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Policies
Sensitive data can be vulnerable when accessed by multiple users. Akku enables IT teams to define acceptable and unacceptable user actions, set up real-time alerts for potential violations, and block risky actions altogether. This ensures that data is handled securely and reduces the risk of accidental or intentional leaks.

Audit and Compliance Policies
Maintaining compliance is easier with Akku. Detailed audit logs track USB usage, software changes, network activity, and user login/logout events. This provides full visibility into policy adherence, simplifies internal monitoring, and ensures organizations can meet regulatory requirements without manual overhead.

Scalability and Cross-Platform Support
Akku is designed to grow with your enterprise. Whether your environment includes Windows, macOS, Linux, or mobile devices, Akku allows you to manage policies across all platforms seamlessly. This makes it ideal for modern, hybrid IT infrastructures where endpoints and user environments are diverse.

Real-Time Visibility and Reporting
Akku provides IT teams with dashboards and reports that offer real-time insights into policy enforcement and compliance trends. This allows quick identification of potential issues and faster response times, helping prevent security breaches before they happen.

Why Choose Akku for Group Policy Object Management?

Traditional GPOs are still effective for some tasks, but modern enterprises demand more flexibility, visibility, and scalability. Akku GPO Manager provides:

  • Centralized governance: One dashboard for all devices, regardless of OS
  • Cross-platform support: Manage policies across Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices
  • Scalability: Adaptable for growing enterprises with increasing endpoints
  • Cost efficiency: Reduce reliance on Microsoft licensing and avoid vendor lock-in
  • Enhanced compliance and security: Consistent policy enforcement reduces risks and strengthens audit readiness

For CXOs and IT decision-makers, this translates into less operational friction, stronger security, and a clear view of the organization’s compliance posture.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Group Policy with Akku

Group Policy Objects remain central to IT governance, but traditional methods are no longer enough. Akku GPO Manager simplifies policy management, strengthens security, and ensures consistent compliance across all devices in modern enterprises.

By adopting Akku, IT teams gain the flexibility, control, and visibility they need to manage device policies effectively, reduce operational overhead, and stay ahead of evolving security and compliance demands.

Ready to simplify your GPO management and protect your organization’s data? See how Akku GPO Manager can give you centralized control and peace of mind.

Group Policy Object (GPO) Management: What It Is and Why Modern Enterprises Need It

How do enterprises ensure that thousands of users and devices follow the same security rules and IT policies without manual intervention? For organizations running on Microsoft Active Directory or any other Active Directory, the answer lies in Group Policy Objects (GPOs).

GPOs are a core feature that allows IT administrators to centrally enforce security, compliance, and configuration settings across the entire network. Whether it’s enforcing password policies, restricting access to applications, or deploying software, GPOs make it possible to maintain consistency and control at scale.

But here’s the challenge. As enterprises expand across regions, adopt cloud infrastructure, and manage hybrid workforces, traditional GPO management becomes increasingly complex. Without the right approach and tools, policy conflicts, misconfigurations, and compliance gaps are inevitable. That’s why modern GPO management solutions are critical for today’s enterprises.

In this blog, we’ll explore how GPO management works, its key benefits, and how next-generation tools tackle common challenges.

What Is GPO Management?

Group Policy Object management refers to the process of creating, applying, monitoring, and maintaining IT policies in a Microsoft Active Directory environment.

Think of GPOs as rulebooks that define how systems and users operate. With GPOs, IT admins can:

  • Enforce password rules such as minimum length or mandatory complexity.
  • Restrict external storage devices like USB drives.
  • Configure desktop environments with standard settings.
  • Prevent users from disabling antivirus or firewalls.
  • Automatically deploy software or updates.

The advantage is centralization. Instead of manually configuring hundreds or thousands of systems, admins define a GPO once, and Active Directory enforces it everywhere.

The Benefits of GPO Management

When managed effectively, GPOs deliver significant value to enterprises:

  • Centralized administration

    Reduces manual effort by allowing IT teams to control system configurations from a single location.

     

  • Improved security

    Enforces consistent policies to minimize risks such as weak passwords, unauthorized software, or unpatched systems.

     

  • Standardization across endpoints

    Ensures uniformity in settings, reducing misconfigurations and vulnerabilities.

     

  • Operational efficiency

    Automates repetitive IT tasks like printer mapping and application deployment.

     

  • Compliance readiness

    Helps meet regulatory requirements such as ISO 27001, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS by ensuring auditable and consistent policies.

     

In short, GPO management is about efficiency, security, and compliance, all working together.

Common Challenges with Traditional GPO Management

Despite its importance, native GPO tools in Active Directory often create headaches for IT teams. The most common challenges include:

  • Scalability issues

    Large enterprises may have hundreds of GPOs, leading to policy sprawl and confusion.

     

  • Conflict and overlap

    Multiple GPOs applied to the same user or machine can create contradictory rules.

     

  • Limited visibility

    Native tools make it hard to track inheritance or understand the impact of a change before it’s applied.

     

  • Difficult troubleshooting

    Finding which GPO caused a login issue or failed update can take hours.

     

  • Compliance blind spots

    Native GPO tools lack strong audit capabilities, making it harder to prove compliance during audits.

These challenges slow down IT operations, increase risk, and frustrate both admins and end users.

Why Do Modern Enterprises Need Next-Generation GPO Management Solutions?

Enterprises today face new realities: distributed workforces, hybrid IT environments, and rapidly evolving security threats. Traditional GPO management simply doesn’t keep up.

Next-generation GPO management solutions are designed to:

  • Provide real-time visibility into policy conflicts and inheritance.
  • Support hybrid and cloud environments alongside on-prem Active Directory.
  • Automate repetitive tasks while minimizing human error.
  • Offer role-based access controls for better governance.
  • Generate audit-ready reports that simplify compliance efforts.

In other words, modern GPO management helps organizations scale securely and efficiently, without overwhelming IT teams.

Essential Features of a Modern GPO Management Tool

When evaluating GPO management software, enterprises should look for:

  • Centralized console for policy creation, deployment, and monitoring.
  • Policy versioning and rollback to undo misconfigurations quickly.
  • Conflict detection that alerts admins to overlapping or contradictory rules.
  • Audit and reporting tools for compliance and accountability.
  • Scalability across hybrid environments to manage both on-prem and cloud-connected users.
  • Ease of use that minimizes dependency on complex scripting.

These features transform GPO management from a reactive chore into a proactive governance tool.

How Does Akku GPO Manager Help Modern Enterprises?

Traditional Group Policy Object solutions are heavily tied to Microsoft Active Directory, which often means high costs, vendor lock-in, and limited flexibility. Akku GPO Manager offers a modern alternative: centralized device policy governance for businesses of all sizes, without the overhead of Microsoft’s ecosystem. From a single, intuitive dashboard, IT teams can enforce consistent policies, strengthen compliance, and reduce risks across every device in the organization.

One-point Control for Device Policies

Akku provides a single interface to control policies across diverse operating systems. Whether you need to push rules to a single device, a defined group, or your entire organization, Akku gives you complete flexibility. This centralized visibility helps IT leaders maintain a stronger security posture by eliminating blind spots and inconsistencies.

Device Security Policies

Akku makes it simple to enforce security fundamentals: configure firewalls, mandate strong password policies, and enable multi-factor authentication for device and app access. You can also disable connections to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. For browser security, Akku allows you to block risky websites through DNS filtering, restrict private browsing, disable extensions and pop-ups, and more. These features work together to reduce vulnerabilities across endpoints.

Data Privacy Policies

In today’s environment, preventing misuse of sensitive data is a top priority. Akku lets enterprises disable screen capture, cameras, and microphones to block unauthorized recording and eavesdropping. It also allows administrators to prevent access to unsanctioned cloud storage platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox. Additional authentication can be enforced at system startup, adding an extra layer of protection before granting OS access.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Policies

When multiple users interact with sensitive data, the risk of accidental or intentional leaks grows. With Akku, you can define what constitutes acceptable or risky user actions. Administrators can set real-time alerts for potential violations or block these actions altogether. By embedding DLP controls into policy management, Akku ensures that sensitive data is always handled responsibly.

Audit and Compliance Policies

Compliance is often undermined by manual, device-level management. Akku addresses this by enabling detailed audit logs that track user and system activity. Logs can capture USB usage, software installations and changes, network activity, data transfers, and login patterns. This not only helps organizations stay compliant but also provides actionable insights into potential violations or trends that need attention.

With Akku GPO Manager, enterprises gain a modern GPO management software that improves visibility, enforces consistent policies, and strengthens overall security without the cost and lock-in of legacy solutions.

Ready to move beyond the limits of traditional GPO management? Get in touch with us to see how Akku GPO Manager can help your business enforce smarter, stronger, and more cost-effective device policies.

Group Policy Object (GPO) in Active Directory and How It Works

Imagine walking into a company where every desktop looks different, passwords are handwritten on sticky notes, and users are free to install whatever software they fancy. It might sound chaotic, but that’s exactly what happens when there’s no policy control in place.

For decades, Group Policy Objects (GPOs) have been the backbone of IT governance in Windows environments, enabling administrators to enforce consistency, security, and compliance across their networks. But as businesses move to hybrid and cloud-first models, it’s time to revisit the basic question: What is GPO in Active Directory, and is it still enough?

This blog takes you through the core mechanism of Group Policy Objects, how they work, their real-world applications, and why IT teams are increasingly adopting modern alternatives like Akku for centralized access control.

What is a Group Policy Object (GPO) in Active Directory?

Definition and Purpose of GPO

Let’s start with the basics – what is a GPO?

A Group Policy Object (GPO) is a set of rules that administrators apply to user and computer accounts in an Active Directory environment. These rules control system behavior, security settings, and user experience, ensuring consistency across all devices.

In other words, the GPO prevents users from going rogue, delivering centralized governance across devices and users at scale.

Local Group Policy vs. Domain-Based GPO

There are two primary Group Policy Object types:

  • Local Group Policy applies only to a single machine and is managed independently.
  • Domain-Based GPO is managed through Active Directory and applies settings to groups of users or devices across the network.

In most enterprise environments, domain-based GPOs are essential for efficient administration and scalable control.

GPO Scope: User and Computer Configuration

GPOs are structured into two scopes:

  • User Configuration: Controls the user environment – desktop settings, application access, folder redirection, and more.
  • Computer Configuration: Applies system-wide settings like firewall rules, password policies, and software controls.

This dual structure makes GPOs highly flexible and powerful.

Inside the Architecture – Components and Storage of GPO in Active Directory

Every Group Policy Object is made up of:

  • Group Policy Template (GPT): Stored in the SYSVOL folder of domain controllers; contains policy files, scripts, and templates.
  • Group Policy Container (GPC): Stored in Active Directory; holds metadata such as version, status, and permissions.

Together, these define the structure and logic of each GPO. This architecture allows for replication, tracking, and fine-grained control across a network.

Deployment Mechanics – How Are Group Policy Objects Applied Across the Network?

GPOs follow a specific order when applied, known as LSDOU:

  1. Local
  2. Site
  3. Domain
  4. Organisational Unit (OU)

The closer a GPO is to the object (like a user or computer), the higher its priority, unless overridden. Policies refresh every 90 minutes by default, but can be manually updated using gpupdate /force.

Understanding this sequence helps in avoiding conflicts and ensures the intended policies take effect.

Strategic Use Cases – Real-World Applications and Advanced GPO Scenarios

GPOs are not just technical tools – they’re strategic enablers. Here’s how they shine in real-world scenarios:

  • Strengthening Security: Enforce strong password rules, disable USB ports, or restrict local admin rights.
  • Enhancing User Experience: Standardize desktops, configure printers, and control access to features like Task Manager or Control Panel.
  • Application Management: Block unauthorized software or automate installations organization-wide.
  • Network Access Control: Manage proxy settings, disable public Wi-Fi connections, and enforce VPN usage.

Each of these examples shows how a Group Policy Object improves security and productivity while reducing manual overhead.

Optimizing Control – Best Practices for GPO Configuration, Security, and Troubleshooting

Getting the most out of GPOs requires a disciplined approach. Here are a few best practices:

  • Don’t overcomplicate: Consolidate GPOs where possible to reduce processing time.
  • Use clear naming conventions: Make it easier for teams to manage and troubleshoot.
  • Test before deploying: Use test OUs to validate policy behavior.
  • Audit and monitor: Regularly check gpresult and event logs for compliance and anomalies.
  • Document everything: Especially helpful when multiple admins are involved.

These steps ensure your GPO setup remains efficient, secure, and easy to maintain.

Why Are Forward-Thinking IT Teams Shifting to Centralized Access Solutions?

Limitations of Traditional GPOs in Hybrid and Cloud Environments

As workforces become more remote and cloud-centric, traditional GPOs face several limitations:

  • Inability to manage non-domain devices
  • Lack of visibility into real-time policy enforcement
  • Dependency on on-prem infrastructure
  • Complex setup and maintenance

In short, traditional Group Policy Object models weren’t designed for today’s mobile, distributed environments.

The Shift to Zero Trust and Centralized Access Control

Modern IT security follows a Zero Trust model – don’t trust, always verify. This requires:

  • Device-aware policy enforcement
  • Identity-based access control
  • Real-time monitoring and compliance

GPOs are static and domain-bound, making them ill-suited for this dynamic, cloud-driven world.

Increased Demand for Security and Compliance

Regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 demand continuous visibility and control over user and device activity. Traditional GPOs offer limited support for audit trails and flexible compliance reporting.

That’s why many IT leaders are moving towards solutions that are built for the future.

AKKU – Empowering Enterprises with Modern Access Control Beyond Traditional GPOs

Enter Akku GPO Manager – a cloud-based, platform-agnostic alternative that provides all the benefits of GPO, and more.

With Akku, IT teams can:

  • Centrally enforce security policies across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Configure firewall, MFA, and password rules without relying on Microsoft infrastructure
  • Apply data privacy controls, such as disabling screen capture, USB ports, cloud storage, and private browsing
  • Monitor compliance through detailed audit logs (USB activity, login/logout, software installs)
  • Push policies to specific users, devices, or groups via a single intuitive dashboard


This is a Group Policy Object reimagined for the modern enterprise – flexible, secure, and built for the hybrid workforce.

Looking to modernize your policy control without the complexity of legacy systems? Let’s talk. Akku might be exactly what your IT stack needs.

Web content filtering: The benefits to hybrid organizations

The main objectives behind web content filtering are accuracy, scalability, and maintainability and unless you have the right service provider working with your organization, these three objectives are going to be hard to meet.

It’s because the three are like cogs in the wheel, and every one of them counts. Accurate blocking makes scalability and maintenance difficult, while easily scalable and maintainable content filtering systems may not be as accurate. 

That’s why content filtering as a service is constantly evolving to address all of these issues and ensure enterprises have a multi-layered defense strategy in place against viruses, malware, phishing attacks, and so on.

First, let’s look at why your hybrid organization needs it

  • Managing compliance requirements:
    By blocking offensive or distracting sites such as social networking platforms and video streaming services on a corporate network you are improving employee productivity as well as ensuring you are managing compliance requirements.
  • Managing bandwidth:
    Web content filtering and YouTube category-based filtering enable organizations to track and regulate access to websites based on their content categories, it can prevent the use of high bandwidth sites like streaming sites that can reduce network performance.
  • Managing cyber threats:
    Web content protects the network by blocking sites that are high-risk, spam, and malicious websites, as well as preventing data leakage. Websites can be blocked by category. For example, websites that come under categories such as Social Media or Entertainment can be blocked.

So, why not just use a firewall, you may wonder.

Well, you can, but the firewall will naturally block particular websites based on defined rules, and that means you cannot allow sub-categories within the website to be whitelisted. For instance, say, a channel on youtube. If your firewall is set to block youtube, the site as a whole will be inaccessible.

The second reason a firewall may not be a perfect choice is that it depends on the internet connection, not on the user or device. And in this era of hybrid working, firewalls can be bypassed if users connect to their home internet.

What you want is to keep the company devices safe and protect them from the risk of compromise even if they access the net from an outside firewall.

Use content filtering the right way

Content filtering is a tool and like any tool, knowing how to use it correctly will help you accomplish your goal. The right service provider can help you navigate the realm of web content filtering.

Take Akku’s content filter for instance. It can be configured to whitelist and blacklist sites. Even within the whitelisted sites, like for instance, YouTube, the Akku filter allows specifically whitelisted channels or categories, blocking all the other irrelevant ones. Akku’s filter uses a proxy server to read each video’s metadata to only allow viewing YouTube content that is allowed, for instance, some reference data or upskilling resources. The filter also allows you to restrict employees by user category defined on Akku’s identity access management solution.

In the hybrid work environment, content filtering by user works better than a firewall internet connection-based content filtering. It’s also helpful for companies too small to invest in on-prem firewalls.

Akku’s dedicated sales specialists are always ready to help with any information you need on content filtering. Contact us to find out more.

The Goldilocks Zone of Content Restriction: Not too wide, not too narrow, but just right

Do you need to restrict content for your employees? Or can you allow them complete and free access to the worldwide web? There’s simply too much information out there, which can result in distraction and lowered productivity. At the same time, too many restrictions can make your team feel suffocated!

It’s important to strike a balance between allowing your team to access the information they need or may need, and keeping your company’s reputation clean by blocking illicit, illegal or unnecessary material. 

Here’s a quick ready reckoner to help you plan your company’s content restriction strategy.

What content do you really need?

Let’s say your organization works in the e-learning space. Your team will need to use the internet to better understand some of the content inputs that they’ve received from their client. They’ll need to watch YouTube videos on how to create specific interactive elements. They may need to read technical papers on gamification and game-based learning, in order to stay updated and create content that will make an impact. They’ll also need to refer to material created by competitors, including promotional material put up by them on social media, to position the client’s product in the available learning gaps. These are essential content categories that the employee must be able to access.

The Goldilocks Zone of Content Restriction: Not too wide, not too narrow, but just right

What content might you need?

Many employees find that they are more effective if they work while listening to music. For their safety, it’s important to allow them access to the news and local weather updates. You could consider a midway solution by allowing access to audio-only music options, and restricting access to reputed news sites alone – and the amount of time that employees can spend on the site.

Perhaps the most controversial content category is viral social media. Would it help your team to be able to include the latest viral moment in the e-learning content, to keep it relevant and topical? If so, how do you allow access to viral content without losing employee productivity? Can you put a time cap on certain applications or websites? 

 

What content do you definitely NOT need?

Access to personal email is a security risk as much as a productivity issue. 

Entertainment content can waste a great deal of time and company bandwidth. 

Illegal or illicit material found on official systems and networks can also impact your company’s reputation.

 

Can this be controlled by blacklisting certain URLs?

No, unfortunately not! 

A lot of the video content your employees may need is on YouTube. So is a lot of the content that they don’t! Similarly, personal email may be accessed through the same URL as professional email. 

Not to mention that blacklisting thousands – or even millions – of URLs is simply impractical. A more refined solution is required.

 

Whitelisting specific content categories

The kinds of content that you want to allow your team to access depends on the kind of work your company does. Each category of employee will also need different kinds of content access. 

Open source content categorizations for websites and video streaming portals are available online. It is possible to restrict access to content – whether on YouTube or on the internet at large – based on this categorization.

This makes for a much more relevant form of content access control, with necessary content types remaining accessible while irrelevant content is blocked. This helps to save company bandwidth and unproductive employee time.

 

Wondering how to create content restrictions for your business? Allow our experts to help you. You can set up personalized content filters with Akku, a 100% customizable IAM.

 

Burn down the Firewall! The Future is Device-level Security

Many enterprises have built their cybersecurity around their firewalls. But increasingly, the firewall is losing favor in modern enterprises with apps and data on the cloud being accessed from devices and networks anywhere in the world. 

The traditional cybersecurity tool is a network security device that monitors traffic to or from the network. It allows or restricts traffic based on a defined set of security rules.

Legacy firewalls: Blurring boundaries

The issue with this is that firewalls do not go far enough in securing your systems. By the nature of their operation, firewalls create boundaries around your network. Today, with enterprises using many interlinked networks, multiple IPs and cloud computing, boundaries are fading. As a result, firewalls are less effective.

Based on a recent study, businesses are increasingly mistrustful of firewalls. Over 60 percent of respondents stated that: (1) their legacy firewalls don’t prevent cyberattacks against critical business and cloud-based applications; (2) their legacy firewalls cannot contain a breach of their organization’s data center perimeter; and (3) their legacy firewalls do not enable enterprise-wide Zero Trust.

As Gartner puts it, Zero Trust is “useful as a shorthand way of describing an approach where implicit trust is removed from all computing infrastructure”.

In addition, legacy firewalls impact organization flexibility and speed to a large extent. It is hard to update security rules on the firewall, and the study found that on average, enterprises take as much as three weeks to update firewall rules to accommodate any update needed. This can have a crushing security impact. They also limit access control, with policies that are often not sufficiently granular.

For all these reasons, legacy firewalls are increasingly falling into disfavor with enterprises of all sizes.

Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

A traditional firewall stands between your network and a non-trusted network (for example, the Internet). However, cloud data and apps are hosted on the Internet and as a result, legacy firewalls are not very good at protecting apps and data on the cloud.

Just like a traditional firewall protects the trusted network against attacks, a CASB protects cloud assets (applications, data, platforms and infrastructure) against cyberattack. They act as a foundational cybersecurity tool and resolve many of the issues associated with legacy firewalls.

A cloud-hosted or on-premises software, a CASB acts as an intermediary between users and cloud service providers, and can secure SaaS, PaaS or IaaS environments. It provides visibility into application access, maintains logs of activity, and allows enterprises to modify and create policies that suit cloud infrastructure and assets. A good CASB brings together key elements of privilege access management (PAM), identity and access management (IAM) and identity governance and administration (IGA).

Identity and Access Management solution (IAM)

As many as 90 percent of businesses believe that an IAM is indispensable to their cybersecurity plans. An IAM offers device-level security. This helps plug the gaps left by legacy and CASBs. Through IAMs, enterprises can provide granular access control, with unique rules defined for each user and class of user.

IAM offers comprehensive password management support, in the form of password policy management and single sign-on (SSO) SSO allows users to create and remember just one set of credentials for a whole suite of applications. This reduces risk of password loss and noting the password in unsafe locations. With password policy management, businesses can define rules to create strong, secure passwords that are less prone to cracking.

User-friendly provisioning and deprovisioning makes errors less likely. IT administrators find it easier to remember to revoke access when employees leave the organization when deprovisioning can be done with a single click. This also secures cloud apps against unauthorized access.

In a very real way, identity is the new firewall. When the device is secure against unauthorized logins, business-critical apps and data are as well, whether housed on-premises or on the cloud. Secure identity and access with an IAM you trust – like Akku, the premier IAM. Contact our experts today to discuss how to get started.