If you’ve ever felt like your online world is a bit too open and there's a gaping hole in your digital security, this is where Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) comes in. A relatively new concept, SASE combines network security functions with wide-area networking capabilities to provide a holistic, cloud-native security solution for businesses. In this article, let’s explore SASE, why it is critical, how it works, and the benefits for businesses.
Secure Access Service Edge: An Introduction
What is SASE? SASE (pronounced “sassy”) is a cybersecurity framework introduced by Gartner in 2019 that merges multiple networking and security services into a unified cloud-native platform. SASE combines the capabilities of a traditional WAN with network security functions such as
- Firewall-as-a-service
- Secure web gateways
- Cloud access security brokers
- Zero-trust network access
This approach helps businesses to provide secure and efficient access to apps, data, and services regardless of the user's location. It fundamentally shifts the security perimeter from the data center to wherever the user and data are, delivering security at the network’s edge.
How Does SASE Work?
At its foundation, Secure Access Service Edge combines networking and security into a single framework, delivered through the cloud. It replaces the legacy model of routing traffic through centralized data centers with a decentralized, cloud-native approach. Components include:
Networking Component
SASE incorporates a cloud-based SD-WAN (software-defined wide-area networking) to connect users, apps, and devices securely. SD-WAN dynamically routes traffic over the most optimal path based on real-time conditions, ensuring high-performance connectivity and reducing latency.
Security Component
SASE integrates essential security services such as:
- Secure web gateway: Protects users from online threats, such as malware and phishing, while accessing the internet.
- Zero-trust network access: Enforces a “never trust, always verify” approach to secure access to internal applications, reducing risks of unauthorized access.
- Cloud access security broker: Protects the use of cloud services by enforcing security policies, monitoring user activity, and identifying potential risks.
- Firewall as a service: Provides firewall functionality without the need for on-premise hardware, delivering consistent security enforcement across all users, regardless of their location.
Benefits of Secure Access Service Edge for Businesses
Helps Simplify Network and Security Management
Tired of juggling multiple security tools and feeling overwhelmed by network complexity? SASE is like a digital organizer for your IT department. By combining network and security services into a single platform, it streamlines your management, reduces headaches, and ensures consistent security policies across your entire organization.
Helps Improve Security
SASE strengthens your security posture by adopting a zero-trust model. This means every user and device is verified before gaining access to apps and data. With continuous monitoring and inspection, you can effectively block malicious actors and unauthorized users from entering your network. Plus, SASE's real-time capabilities enable swift threat detection and response.
Helps Enhance Performance
Say goodbye to slow connections and frustrating latency. SASE optimizes traffic routing using SD-WAN and global cloud-based points of presence (PoPs). This means faster, more responsive applications, especially for remote workers who rely on cloud-based tools.
Helps Lower Cost
By integrating multiple security and networking tools into one solution, Secure Access Service Edge reduces the need for expensive hardware appliances and their associated maintenance costs. The cloud-based model also offers a flexible pay-as-you-go pricing structure, allowing you to scale your services as your business grows without breaking the bank.
Helps in Scalability
SASE's cloud-native architecture makes it easy to adapt to changing business needs. Whether you're adding new users, devices, or branch offices, SASE can scale quickly and efficiently. Its global reach is also perfect for businesses with distributed workforces or multinational operations.
Helps in Regulatory Compliance
SASE helps you stay compliant with industry regulations by providing granular security controls, data encryption, and real-time monitoring. This ensures your sensitive data is protected while meeting the requirements of various regulatory frameworks like GDPR and PCI-DSS.
Considerations for Implementing SASE
While SASE offers numerous benefits, there are several factors businesses should consider before adopting this framework:
- Vendor selection: Not all SASE solutions are created equal. You want a vendor that offers top-notch security, has a global reach for speedy performance, and can seamlessly integrate with your existing network.
- Implementation complexity: Implementing SASE might mean some changes to how you handle network security. Your IT team will need to adjust your network setup, integrate cloud services, and get everyone up to speed on this new approach.
- Data privacy: Since your data will be traveling through the cloud, it's important to know where it's being processed and stored. Some industries have strict rules about data sovereignty, so make sure your SASE provider can meet those requirements.
- Performance monitoring: SASE can boost your network's speed, but you'll need to keep a close eye on it to ensure it's meeting everyone's needs. Having the right tools to monitor and manage performance is key.