What is Coffee Shop Networking?
"Coffee shop networking" refers to a modern, flexible approach to enterprise networking that caters to the needs of the increasingly distributed workforce in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.
This model is driven by the shift towards hybrid work environments, where employees are not anchored to a specific office location but rather work from various locations, including coffee shops, their homes, or any remote location that offers internet connectivity.
The essence of "coffee shop networking" lies in its goal to replicate the seamless and straightforward connectivity experience akin to that of connecting to a coffee shop's Wi-Fi network, but with the added complexities and security measures required for accessing corporate resources. It emphasizes the need for lightweight, adaptable networking solutions that can provide secure, high-performance access to web, SaaS, cloud, and on-premises applications without the dependency on heavy or complex network infrastructure traditionally associated with corporate offices.
In the context of SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Networking), "coffee shop networking" manifests as a demand for simpler, lower-cost SD-WAN functionality that suits the "work from anywhere" model rather than the full-featured, higher-cost SD-WAN solutions designed for branch offices with many full-time employees. This approach acknowledges that remote-only users and those working in a hybrid manner may require different levels of network functionality and security compared to traditional office settings.
Consequently, within this paradigm, stand-alone SD-WAN products that do not integrate security features are considered less relevant. Instead, there's a growing preference for SD-WAN functionality to be delivered as part of a broader security offering, such as next-generation firewalls (NGFW) or Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions. This shift aligns with the need for a more integrated, security-centric approach to networking that supports the diverse requirements of today's dispersed enterprise users while ensuring the maintenance of robust security standards crucial for protecting organizational assets in a "coffee shop networking" world.
Securing Coffee Shop Users with ZTNA
In today's "work from anywhere" environment, coffee shops are becoming the new office for many employees. But with this flexibility comes a significant security challenge: unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. Thankfully, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) offers a powerful solution for organizations like yours to safeguard your data and resources, even when employees connect from these risky hotspots.
Coudbrink understands the importance of WFA and a secure and agile network. ZTNA delivers a multi-layered approach that goes beyond traditional VPNs, providing robust protection for your remote workforce - read our VPN vs ZTNA Guide for a complete comparison.
Zero Trust built-in
With Granular Access Control, the days of granting blanket network access are gone. ZTNA ensures a "least privilege" approach, creating a secure tunnel directly to the specific applications and resources each employee requires. This minimizes potential damage if a device is compromised.
ZTNA doesn't rely on a single login, it constantly verifies user identity and device health throughout the session. This continuous monitoring ensures unauthorized users or compromised devices never slip through the cracks.
Worried about. Coffee shops and open Wi-Fi?
ZTNA encrypts all data traffic flowing between your employee's device and your Enterprise or Corporate network. This encryption renders sensitive information unreadable, even if intercepted on a public network. Traditional VPNs open up your entire network, creating a vast potential attack surface. ZTNA eliminates this risk by focusing access on specific resources. Hackers have a much harder time finding vulnerabilities to exploit.
By implementing Cloudbrink ZTNA, you can empower your employees to work from anywhere with confidence, knowing their connection and your data are safeguarded
