Definition of SASE
SASE stands for Secure Access Service Edge. The term SASE is closely related to the world of internet and networking. In short, SASE is a network architecture that combines VPN (Virtual Private Network) and SD-WAN (Software-Defined Networking applied to Wide Area Network connections) capabilities.
There are four main characteristics of SASE: identity-based, cloud-based, edge-enabled, and globally distributed. SASE has six main components or important elements as follows:
- SD-WAN (software-defined WAN)
- SWG (secure web gateway)
- CASB (Cloud access security broker)
- FWaaS (firewall as a service)
- ZTNA (zero trust network access)
- Centralized and unified management
Those security functions are delivered from the cloud and are one of the services provided by the SASE vendor.
Benefits of SASE
Allows employees and digital business users to interact without having to be from the office
Nowadays, due to technological advancements and the pandemic, the culture of working in the office has become mobile (anywhere, anytime, without location restrictions). SASE enables secure access without latency in connection caused by access to a VPN to secure the network.
Strengthen security for both workers and end users
SASE enables security control as close as possible to end users and protects workers everywhere from advanced threats. Some of the security-related advantages of SASE include protecting against malware resulting from access or downloads to malicious domains, eliminating security gaps across the web, network, cloud, and internal enterprise applications, and providing risk-based access control.
Prevent data loss even when accessed from anywhere
Using the SASE architecture, you can simply implement a policy once for you to apply anywhere. You can also stop data transfer with enterprise grade DLP technology, and deploy Zero Trust-as-a-Service.
Enabling Zero Trust
As mentioned above, the SASE Architecture enables Zero Trust. That means only authorized, trusted, and inspected users and devices are granted access through ZTNA and SWG solutions.
Reduce complexity and costs
As a business owner, you may find it challenging to manage and connect multiple security and network tools into a single risk toolkit. SASE enables deployment by using centralized agents at end-points, connecting remote sites using secure SD-WAN to the cloud, and automating and personalizing risk-based enforcement.
Improve network effectiveness and staff security
Network and security services in one platform reduce friction and can secure networks without degrading performance. With this one platform, the enterprise strategy not only aligns security and IT teams but also enables them to work together.
Challenges to realizing SASE
SASE is the vision of the future secure network model that enterprises should strive for. The best SASE today is the convergence of cloud-managed SD-WAN and cloud-delivered security.
Another challenge is that adapting or moving from the previous model to the SASE model can only be done in a gradual way, not instantly. IT teams will have to rethink how to connect the remote workforce to the distributed information resources they need. There will also likely be increased demand for “as-a-sevice” procurement models that offer more flexibility.
What’s clear is that SASE puts data protection at the forefront, providing unique control over how data is used once it’s downloaded, making you and your employees more productive without compromising access security.
