The Ultimate Combination of Networking and Security–SASE

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Remote work has been redefined in recent years, with employees now dispersed across distributed workspaces. Users expect their tools to be available with a single click from any location or device in the digital cloud-first era, without sacrificing productivity. Most organizations are on the precipice of a cliff because their traditional security systems are failing to address modern threats that span cloud and mobile across hybrid networks.

What Is SASE?

Gartner first describes this in the August 2019 report. The Future of Network Security in the Cloud and expanded upon in their 2021 Strategic Roadmap of SASE Convergence. Secure Access Service Edge or SASE, is a combination of network and security management systems that provide all networking and security features under one roof. SASE combines network security functions (such as SWG, CASB, FWaaS, and ZTNA) with WAN capabilities (such as SD-WAN) to support the organization’s dynamic secure access needs.

Fig. SASE Framework-Identity Centric

How Does SASE Architecture Help to Achieve Cloud Security?

A secure access service edge is a cloud architecture model that combines all network and security as a service functionality into a single cloud service. SASE combines all networking technologies with wide area network capabilities to establish secure user connections and connect systems and endpoints to applications.

Let’s have a look at the fundamentals of SASE.

1) Zero Trust Network Access(ZTNA)

Zero trust network access is a set of technologies and protocols that enable remote users to gain secure access to internal applications. ZTNA provides secure access to private applications without the need to upload them to the internet. It ensures that remote users can only access authorized applications rather than the entire network.

2) Cloud Access Security Broker(CASB)

A cloud access security broker protects data across enterprise cloud apps from threats. It protects multiple devices transmitting data over a cloud network from threats. Software as a service is provided. CASBs allow authorized users to work across their enterprise cloud apps without being concerned about modern threats.

3) Secure Web Gateway

A secure web gateway safeguards remote users from web-based security threats by enforcing corporate policy compliance in order to ensure secure data transmission. It enables the enterprise to deny access to unauthorized users who are not permitted by security policies. 

4) SD-WAN

Software-defined wide area network or SD-WAN is a game-changing technology that enables remote users to access multiple internet as well as private services control by delivering WAN capabilities to securely connect the user to their application. It offers a secure environment for organizations linked by a wide area network.

5) Firewall as a Service

A firewall as a service is a security solution that actively monitors traffic while also managing and enforcing the organization’s security policies. It prevents unauthorized network access.

Benefits Provided by SASE

To manage secure transactions in the cloud system structure, various techniques and terminologies are used. The secure access service edge is a combination of networking and security services that offers several advantages to the cloud network, some of which are listed below.

1) Reduced Cost and Complexity

The secure access service edge lowers the cost of the private network while also enabling cost-effective transport functionalities. It enables consistent policy enforcement, reducing complexity and workloads.

2) Ensures Consistent Policy

Enforcing consistent access policies ensures a secure user experience. By enforcing consistent policies and protecting on-premises and off-premises users, the secure access service edge helps to improve security. It will accept connections by enabling authentication, identity, and user validation business rules.

3) Enables New Digital Business Scenarios

SASE supports a scalable architecture that enables digital transformation, which enables new digital business scenarios. Enforcing security policies, it eliminates inappropriate traffic flows. SASE provides a very simple offering that combines networking and security, operates as a cloud service, and allows for cloud migration.

4) Secure User Access and Experience

It supports network and cloud transformation and provides an optimal user experience. As a result of these characteristics, users can easily access the systems from anywhere. It has all application and user monitoring concepts available to provide the best user experience.

5) Increased, Optimized Performance

It provides lower network latency, which improves application performance. Real-time content inspection will be used to ensure performance in the face of security threats.

Conclusion

SASE is a new network security approach that offers a unified platform for networking and security services. SASE provides scalability, agility, and a consistent security policy across all locations and users by delivering these services from the cloud. SASE is an excellent solution for modern digital businesses that need secure access to applications and data from any location and on any device.