On the occasion of the Monaco Cybersecurity Conference 2024, we are pleased to share with you the next steps in Olfeo's development and our future strategic direction.
In recent years, cyberattacks have become more sophisticated as working practices have changed, particularly with the rise of remote working and SaaS applications. With the increase in remote working, the traditional boundaries of corporate networks have become blurred, providing new opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities. Attacks have become more sophisticated, particularly through targeted phishing and ransomware, seeking to take advantage of this new dispersion of human resources. At the same time, the widespread adoption of SaaS applications, which facilitate flexibility and online collaboration, has multiplied the potential entry points for attackers. This dynamic requires companies to adopt more adaptive and holistic security approaches.
It is in this context that we are pleased to announce that Olfeo, a pioneer in the field of web filtering, has begun a significant transformation to become a Security Service Edge (SSE) provider.
The evolution of Olfeo: from web filtering to ESS
1. The French leader in web filtering
Olfeo began its journey as a provider of web filtering solutions, an essential technology for companies seeking to control Internet access and ensure a safe, productive, and legally compliant working environment. At a time when online content was growing at an exponential rate, the need for robust solutions to filter inappropriate or harmful websites was clear. Olfeo was able to meet this demand by offering customized, high-performance solutions tailored to the specific needs of European companies and based on a comprehensive domain database that recognizes more than 99.5% of employee web requests.
Thanks to its in-depth understanding of local issues and cutting-edge technology, Olfeo quickly gained the trust of numerous organizations and now serves more than 1,000 prestigious clients in both the public and private sectors.
2. The shift toward cybersecurity and expansion into secure web gateways (SWG)
As the digital landscape evolved, simple web filtering was no longer enough to counter increasingly sophisticated threats. Businesses needed more comprehensive protection. Olfeo therefore expanded its scope by enhancing its solution with cybersecurity features. This new offering enabled companies to benefit from enhanced security by integrating advanced features such as protection against malware, encrypted content analysis, and DNS filtering. By leveraging innovative technologies, Olfeo helped its customers strengthen their security posture while ensuring a smooth user experience.
3. On the Security Service Edge (SSE) route
With the widespread adoption of remote working, companies have increasingly adopted cloud-based services, rendering traditional security approaches and enterprise network architectures insufficient.
It is in this context that the concept of Security Service Edge (SSE) has emerged. SSE represents a modern approach to security that integrates services such as web filtering, threat protection, identity and access management (Zero Trust Network Access – ZTNA), data security (Data Loss Protection – DLP), and shadow IT management (Cloud Access Security Broker), all provided from the cloud and operating transparently, regardless of the location of the workstation.
Olfeo's transition to an SSE provider symbolizes a strategic response to these modern challenges. By offering a unified and scalable security solution, Olfeo enables its customers to adopt the cloud with confidence, while ensuring robust and agile security.
This development is entirely natural for Olfeo, which has already deployed its web security gateway in the cloud, an essential component, if not the most important one, of an SSG solution.
What are the benefits for you?
1. Enhanced and Proactive Security
With Security Service Edge, our customers will benefit from robust protection that evolves with threats. Advanced detection and response capabilities enable anomalies to be quickly identified and addressed before they cause damage.
2. An Optimized User Experience
By integrating security directly into the cloud, Olfeo SSE will offer a smoother, uninterrupted user experience. Users will be able to securely access the resources they need, wherever they are, without compromising performance or speed. This protection will work transparently, whether on company premises, on the move, or working remotely, without any complicated installation (VPN, etc.).
3. Cost and Resource Savings
By centralizing security functions and managing them more efficiently, Olfeo SSE will enable significant savings in terms of infrastructure and human resources costs. Companies can then reallocate these resources to other strategic areas to drive innovation and growth.
4. Simplified Regulatory Compliance
Companies must comply with various data protection regulations such as the GDPR. Olfeo SSE facilitates this compliance by offering data management and access tools that meet regulatory requirements while ensuring the protection of sensitive information.
With the emergence of compliance frameworks such as NIS2, DORA, and CRA, it is more essential than ever to have the right tools to achieve optimal compliance.
One last thing to keep in mind is that an SSE-type solution will transport and host sensitive data (browsing logs, web traffic, etc.). In these complex geopolitical times, having a sovereign hosting platform for this data that is not subject to extraterritorial laws is a guarantee of trust and an investment in the future.
Where are we now?
As the title suggests, we are well on our way. Although we have our destination clearly in sight, we are not quite there yet.
It is a structure that we are building step by step, while being aware that we need to move quickly to align ourselves with the growing security needs of our users.
Our SaaS web security gateway offering is robust and has proven itself over the past two years. The next step is to deploy the first component of CASB: Shadow IT detection. This will involve detecting SaaS applications that are not visible to IT, with a view to gradually implementing governance and access management for these applications.
This first iteration is planned for before the end of 2024—very soon... Stay tuned...
The next step will be DLP, which will enable the detection of transfers of sensitive content, either for security or compliance reasons. It will be available in 2025 (dates not guaranteed).
These brick sets will enable you to achieve SSE status while preparing for future developments.
What impact will this have on Olfeo On-Premise?
Our on-premise offering will, of course, continue to evolve in parallel. We understand the importance of keeping this type of data within your IT system and will continue to maintain on-premise as one of our strategic solutions.
Conclusion
Olfeo's transition to becoming a key player in Security Service Edge (SSE) marks an important step in our commitment to providing cutting-edge digital security to our customers. By addressing modern cybersecurity challenges with integrated and scalable solutions, we enable our customers to navigate the digital landscape with confidence. This evolution is not only a response to current needs, but an investment in the future of digital security, ensuring that our customers remain protected, efficient, and competitive in a world of "permacrisis."
