SASE involves bringing many traditionally disparate services into one unified architecture. It simplifies network infrastructure and makes it easier to manage.
SASE solutions review user access case-by-case basis, checking identity, where, and what device they use. They also check for the presence of threats.
SASE Definition
What is SASE?SASE is a network security architecture that combines networking services (usually based on SD-WAN) with multiple security capabilities into a single solution. Its cloud-delivered model enables organizations to simplify their security infrastructure and achieve fantastic performance and scale. SASE is necessary to support modern digital business transformation and promote secure Work-from-Anywhere environments. It can provide consistent cloud performance for WFA and mobile users, universal policy enforcement across the network, security for unmanaged devices, and up-to-date threat intelligence.
The architecture also enables enterprises to shift away from legacy perimeter and hardware-based security approaches such as firewalls and enterprise VPNs that introduce additional layers of complexity and slow down the overall network. It allows enterprises to leverage Zero Trust networking and a cloud-based approach focusing on user context instead of application or device.
When selecting a SASE provider, look for one with deep networking and security experience and offers a full suite of cloud-native technologies with Zero Trust at the core. It should integrate access control based on identity and have a global footprint to ensure consistent performance. It should also offer a flexible licensing and subscription model to suit your organization’s needs. In addition, it’s essential to consider your security and compliance requirements. Choose a vendor with a strong security track record and comprehensive threat prevention capabilities that align with your industry standards and regulations.
How does SASE work?
SASE works by implementing security and connectivity controls on the edge of a network rather than in a central data center. Each endpoint, whether a laptop, mobile device, IoT device, or branch office connection, sends traffic to a point of presence (POP), where it is inspected, optimized, and forwarded along the best path to its destination.
The POPs also enforce strong authentication, which is essential for cybersecurity. In an era where malware is increasingly targeting and bypassing traditional network perimeters, all connections should be viewed as potentially dangerous until they have been authenticated.
By combining networking and security into one unified service, SASE eliminates architectural layers, simplifies operations, and reduces complexity and cost. Additionally, centralized management means IT teams spend less time juggling different products that must be designed to work together.
With increased remote working set to continue for the foreseeable future, organizations need an effective and efficient way to secure their digital environments. With a wide range of industry-leading technologies built into Sectigo Certificate Manager, including SASE, it provides the visibility, control, and scalability needed to keep enterprises safe and compliant, regardless of their location or how they connect.
What are the benefits of SASE?
In addition to enabling a secure, reliable Work-from-Anywhere environment, the SASE architecture delivers many significant benefits. These include:
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) – This cloud-native security feature delivers granular security policies based on identity rather than IP address or location. It reduces the attack surface and prevents lateral movement back into your network from remote areas.
Performance: WAN optimization and application-aware routing deliver consistent cloud and SaaS performance across all LAN/WAN links and branch offices. It is significant for having mission-critical applications such as voice and video.
Security: SASE provides centralized policy management with local enforcement down to the user or system, preventing the loss of critical business data or the exposure of sensitive information over non-secure channels. It also enables granular and consistent protection of unmanaged devices, including those outside the corporate network.
SASE simplifies IT management by combining networking and security services into a single platform. This reduces the required tools and eliminates siloed interactions between network and security teams.
Enterprises should conduct a thorough risk assessment to determine the correct SASE implementation for them. Then, they can select a provider that will provide the best solution to their unique needs. It may involve conducting a portfolio audit to identify which tools will remain in use and which should be eliminated.
What are the challenges of SASE?
The deployment of SASE requires a change in the way networks are managed. Networking and security teams must work together to deploy, monitor and manage the solution, which can create some challenges due to organizational siloes. However, the push for DevOps/developers to break down these siloes also makes SASE an ideal tool for enterprises to utilize.
The SASE architecture also converges networking and network security services, so organizations must select a vendor familiar with the capabilities of all these technologies. Legacy hardware vendors may have backgrounds in either networking or security but need more expertise in the other field and might be unable to offer fully integrated SASE solutions.
SASE providers should also be able to provide high performance, low latency, and consistent availability. For instance, users expect to be able to access cloud applications and their data quickly, which can be challenging for networks that deliver inconsistent performance or require lengthy backhauling from the SASE location to users.
Another challenge with SASE is the need for more granular visibility and control of remote users and devices. SASE providers should have a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) capability for this. ZTNA enables an organization to securely grant access to internal services and applications using identity-based policies instead of IP addresses, which makes it easier for mobile employees to connect from any device.
