Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) merges VPN and SD-WAN capabilities with cloud-native security tools like secure web gateways, firewalls, and zero-trust network access. These are delivered as a service from the cloud by the SASE provider. SASE combines cloud security solutions and SD-WAN, offering comprehensive security accessible to users across the network. Its components include firewall-as-a-service, secure web gateways, zero-trust access networks, and cloud access security brokers. They secure access to your company’s network, even as users operate beyond traditional data center boundaries. Notably, SASE operates entirely in the cloud, catering to both cloud-based and on-premise environments.
Beyond facilitating internet access, SASE rigorously safeguards data and network integrity by enforcing pre-defined security protocols and policies. These measures maintain consistent security regardless of the context or entities accessing the network. Amid business digitization, security transitions to the cloud, urging the necessity for unified services. This addresses complexity reduction, heightened speed and agility, enabling multi-cloud networking, and securing the evolving SD-WAN architecture.
The global SASE market share is anticipated to soar from nearly $2 billion in 2023 to a staggering $6 billion by 2028, showcasing an impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 25%, per the latest stats from MarketsandMarkets.
SASE Architecture
A SASE architecture consolidates networking and security services into a single cloud-delivered solution at the network edge. This setup automatically supports dispersed remote and hybrid users by connecting them to nearby cloud gateways instead of routing traffic to corporate data centers. It ensures secure access to all applications while maintaining thorough visibility and traffic inspection across ports and protocols.
This model simplifies management significantly, aligning with SASE’s primary objectives. By transforming the perimeter into cloud-based capabilities it eliminates the complexity associated with disparate security appliances. It enables flexible deployment rather than establishing a perimeter around the data center. As a cloud-based solution, SASE facilitates a dynamic, high-performing network adaptable to evolving business needs, emerging threats, and future network innovations.
Key Elements of SASE
The SASE framework aims to streamline functions into minimal offerings from a select group of vendors, boosting operational speed and simplifying management. Five core technologies form the cornerstone of secure access service edge deployments:
- SWG (Secure Web Gateway): Offers URL filtering, SSL decryption, application control, and comprehensive threat detection and prevention for user web sessions.
- FWaaS (Firewall as a Service): Delivers a cloud-native, next-gen firewall with advanced Layer 7 inspection, access control, threat detection, and other security services.
- CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker): Monitors sanctioned and unsanctioned SaaS applications, providing malware and threat detection. Integral to DLP solutions, it ensures oversight and control of sensitive data in SaaS repositories.
- ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access): Enables continuous verification and inspection, enforcing identity-based and application-based policies for accessing an organization’s sensitive data and applications.
- SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network): Establishes an overlay network independent of the underlying hardware, facilitating secure, flexible traffic between sites and direct internet access.
10 SASE Solutions For Business
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Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE
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Zscaler SASE
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VMware SASE
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Cloudflare One
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Cisco Umbrella
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NordLayer
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Twingate
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Forcepoint ONE
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Fortinet FortiSASE
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Juniper Networks SASE
SASE Applications
- Powering Hybrid Workforces: SASE’s architecture prioritizes scalability, elasticity, and low latency, ideal for hybrid workforces. Its cloud-based framework delivers tailored application performance, while integrated digital experience monitoring ensures precise visibility into user performance. By uniting networking and security, SASE enhances threat monitoring, streamlines governance, and simplifies management for hybrid work environments.
- Connecting and Securing Branch and Retail Locations: For organizations utilizing SaaS and public cloud services, SASE resolves performance and security challenges. Next-gen SD-WAN optimizes bandwidth and dynamic security, surpassing traditional data center methods. This model reduces costs, streamlines vendor management, and fortifies data security through consistent policies, Zero Trust, and simplified management for remote locations.
- Supporting Cloud and Digital Initiatives: In the realm of cloud and digital transformation, SASE becomes pivotal. Eliminating hardware limitations, it integrates services, optimizes branch deployments, and ensures seamless and secure connectivity for SaaS adoption. Advanced SD-WAN techniques enhance bandwidth and network insights, while AI and ML bolster threat detection. Dynamic firewalls and secure protocols adeptly manage data streams from IoT devices.
Challenges in Implementing SASE Solutions
- Redefining Team Roles and Collaboration: Implementing SASE requires reevaluating IT roles, particularly in hybrid cloud setups, demanding enhanced collaboration between networking and security teams handling diverse infrastructures.
- Navigating Vendor Complexity: The abundance of point products and security tools can be overwhelming. SASE streamlines this landscape, yet organizations must navigate diverse vendor offerings to align with transformation goals.
- Ensuring Comprehensive Coverage: While SASE provides a consolidated approach, certain scenarios, especially in branch-heavy setups, may require on-premises solutions. Striking a balance between cloud-driven and on-premises strategies is crucial for seamless networking and security.
- Product Selection and Integration: For organizations with siloed IT teams, deploying SASE may involve separately selecting multiple products for networking and security. Ensuring their seamless integration is essential for efficient operations.
- Addressing Tool Sprawl: Transitioning to a cloud-centric SASE approach may make existing tools redundant. Identifying and mitigating overlaps prevents fragmented capabilities, maintaining a cohesive technological infrastructure.
SASE Solutions Implementation Best Practices
Foster Team Alignment and Collaboration
Facilitate close collaboration between networking and security teams, merging their strengths like the DevOps model: leverage expert guidance and vendor support for education to unify these disciplines effectively.
Draft a Flexible SASE Roadmap
Progressively integrate SASE aligned with IT and business goals. Work with vendors or Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to develop an adaptable roadmap, leveraging SASE for convergence and incremental progression.
Secure C-Suite Buy-in
Gain executive support by emphasizing cloud-like benefits, ROI, and reduced vendor dependency. Highlight SASE’s comprehensive security against evolving threats. Measure and report successes across various metrics as projects advance.
Establish a Plan
Define tailored SASE objectives, assess current network setups, identify areas for improvement, and understand the existing tech landscape.
Select, Test, and Deploy
Choose and onboard suitable SASE solutions compatible with existing technologies. Prioritize seamless integration and conduct thorough testing in a controlled environment before full-scale deployment.
Monitor, Optimize, and Evolve
Maintain robust support mechanisms post-deployment. Continuously assess the SASE setup, adapting based on feedback, emerging tech trends, and evolving organizational needs.
Future-Ready with Managed SASE Solutions
Managed SASE offers a forward-looking approach, ensuring low latency, reliable, and secure cloud connections. It seamlessly integrates with existing SD-WAN infrastructures or operates as a standalone service with cloud-based SD-WAN integration. This solution enables global user connectivity with consistent experiences while granting IT and security teams precise control over network access for devices and users.
SASE prioritizes security with its Zero Trust model, facilitating direct, secure connections via a private network to nearby gateways, particularly for services like SaaS. Its implementation is seamless and offers high levels of customization, catering effectively to remote and hybrid office requirements.
FAQs
1. What are the steps to select SASE providers?
- Network-Security Integration: Ensure they offer both networking and security services.
- Cloud-Native Focus: Look for solutions adaptable to on-site, mobile, and cloud environments.
- Global Performance: Opt for providers with a global backbone for consistent performance.
- Zero Trust Access: Prioritize solutions granting least-privileged access based on user identities.
- Simplicity and Cost: Seek reduced complexity and costs with an easy-to-use interface.
- Scalability and Adaptability: Confirm scalability and support for current and future technologies.
- Multitenancy Features: Prefer solutions allowing centralized access allocation.
- Cost-Feature Analysis: Consider integration expenses by analyzing costs against provided features and SLAs.
2. What sets SASE apart from a firewall?
Firewalls primarily control traffic based on predefined rules, acting as gatekeepers. In contrast, SASE, a cloud-native framework, goes beyond by offering a comprehensive suite of security functionalities beyond traffic control.
