Research and advisory firm Gartner first introduced the concept of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) in August 2019 to address the increasing demand for secure access to cloud applications and the need for a more distributed and flexible network architecture. The term was coined by Gartner analyst Neil MacDonald and described in a research paper titled “The Future of Network Security Is in the Cloud.” Since its introduction, SASE has gained significant attention and has become an important framework for organizations looking to enhance their network and security architectures.
This article discusses SASE in detail. We’ll start by looking at what SASE is and how it works, then cover its challenges, best practices, and beyond. Let’s dive in.
What Is SASE: Overview and Benefits?
SASE (pronounced ‘Sassy’) has recently been getting a lot of buzz in the IT world —but it’s not just a buzzword. SASE is important because it can help organizations protect themselves from cyber threats more effectively than traditional solutions by reducing the need for on-premise hardware and providing comprehensive protection from malicious activities at every level of the connection, including authentication, authorization, encryption, and malware prevention. Businesses can have peace of mind knowing their data is safe while users access applications quickly and securely from any location around the world.
To understand why SASE is so effective at protecting networks and data, we must first look at its architecture and how it works. SASE combines multiple technologies into one unified platform. Each component works together to provide comprehensive security as well as granular control over resources (something IT folks love) for maximum efficiency.
Teridion’s Network-as-a-Service is compatible with any SASE solution. Together, they ensure fast, reliable connectivity anywhere in the world.
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Key Components of SASE and How They Work Together
SASE makes use of multiple components working together to achieve maximum efficiency in providing comprehensive protection at every level of the connection.
Software-Define Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) provides the networking foundation for SASE by enabling secure and optimized connectivity between users and applications. This helps ensure that users are able to quickly connect and use applications as they need them, even when they’re working remotely or in different locations around the world. SASE then extends SD-WAN capabilities by integrating additional security services.
One such service is the Secure Web Gateway (SWG), which acts as an intermediary between end users and the internet. SWG inspects all outbound traffic to guarantee it meets organizational security policies while also preventing malicious activity from leaving the network. Additionally, it can detect suspicious traffic patterns on the network to help identify potential threats before they become serious issues.
Another key part of SASE is Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB). This component secures cloud applications by monitoring user access and enforcing security policies across multiple cloud services like Office 365 or G Suite. By doing so, CASB ensures that cloud services are used according to organizational policy while simultaneously providing real time visibility into user activities for threat detection purposes.
Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) provides supplementary layers of protection within SASE by offering firewalls to filter incoming traffic based on rules set by administrators or monitored events identified by FWaaS systems. FWaaS can also be employed to apply detailed control over user access to resources on the internet or inside an internal network while still allowing legitimate connections without compromising system integrity or performance.
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is an essential element of any secure architecture in today’s digital world due its ability to stop users from accessing sensitive information without valid credentials or permission levels authorized by administrators. ZTNA implements identity-based authentication methods such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), certificate-based authentication (CBA), and passwordless authentication techniques like biometrics to confirm user identities prior to granting access rights accordingly. In addition to authorizing user access, ZTNA also limits what services/applications users can connect, based on their roles within an organization. This limitation further bolsters overall security when facing external threats posed online.
Altogether, SASE’s components offer robust protection from cyber attacks while simultaneously ensuring secure access to cloud services without compromising speed or accuracy. SASE also grants greater insight into organizational processes so that compliance with regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA can be upheld.
What Are the Challenges of SASE?
Secure Access Service Edge solutions can be incredibly beneficial for organizations looking to secure their cloud-based infrastructure, but they come with a variety of challenges that must be addressed. The biggest challenge is the lack of experienced personnel. As SASE is still relatively new, there are not many qualified experts on the market who have experience in working with and managing these solutions.
Integrating existing on-premise security solutions with cloud-based SASE is also difficult and time consuming. Many organizations find themselves spending a significant amount of resources attempting to bridge the gap between traditional network security controls and advanced cloud security services. Further, monitoring and troubleshooting SASE environments can be difficult due to the complexities of hybrid networks involving multiple vendors’ products operating together. When integrating SASE into your existing network infrastructure, it is important to consider the compatibility between both systems.
One way to do this is by mapping out how each component will interact with one another – for instance, understanding how the ZTNA system interacts with identity and access management policies or how FWaaS works in combination with CASB rules. Additionally, you should assess if any new hardware or software needs to be purchased for successful implementation of SASE features such as SD-WAN or firewalls/IPS/IDS functions.
Lastly, as organizations scale up their operations, they often struggle to keep up with the increased demand for more complex security services such as threat detection or identity management without investing heavily in additional hardware or software resources.
Best Practices for Working with SASE
First and foremost, it’s critical to understand the features of SASE, how SASE works in tandem with other solutions, and how they can be used for maximum efficiency.
Second, proper configuration is essential for optimal performance. This means assessing compatibility between existing infrastructure and SASE components; setting up user profiles correctly; and creating a comprehensive integration plan outlining goals, objectives, timeline, budgeting, resources required, risks involved and more. Utilizing automated tools for configuration tasks will help save time and reduce errors.
Thirdly, it’s necessary to monitor SASE constantly for any abnormal activity which may indicate an attack or data breach. Regular testing against known vulnerabilities is advised to identify potential issues before they become serious problems; plus regular updates should be applied to keep all components up-to-date with the latest security patches.
When any issues arise, it’s important to tackle them promptly using the right resources available within the organization, which could include a dedicated team of experts or third party providers if needed. Having strategies in place on how to respond quickly and effectively will protect against disruption caused by malicious actors or data breaches due to human error or system failure.
SASE vs. CASB
While CASB can be seen as a component or capability within the broader SASE framework, they are not the same thing. As for which is better, it depends on an organizations’ specific needs and requirements. CASB solutions are particularly effective in securing cloud-based applications and enforcing policies for data protection and compliance. If your primary concern is securing cloud services, CASB may be a suitable choice.
On the other hand, SASE offers a comprehensive security and networking approach that can address a wider range of security challenges. If your organization requires a unified security and networking solution that can support a distributed workforce accessing cloud resources, SASE may be more appropriate.
The cost of Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solutions can vary depending on several factors, including the specific vendor, the features and capabilities included, the size of the organization, and the deployment requirements. CASBs are typically priced based on the number of users, applications, or data volumes being protected. The cost can vary depending on the level of functionality and the scale of deployment required by the organization. SASE solutions, on the other hand, are typically priced based on factors such as bandwidth requirements, number of users, and the level of security services needed.
It is difficult to make a general statement about whether CASB is cheaper than SASE or vice versa, as it depends on the specific requirements and deployment scenario. Some organizations may find CASB solutions more cost-effective if their primary focus is on securing cloud services, while others may find SASE solutions more beneficial if they require a broader range of security and networking capabilities.
It is recommended to evaluate the specific needs of your organization, compare the features, scalability, and pricing models offered by different vendors, and consider the total cost of ownership (including upfront costs, licensing fees, ongoing maintenance, and support) to determine which solution aligns best with your requirements and budget.
Optimize SASE with Teridion
Teridion’s Network-as-a-Service is a versatile plug-and-play platform that uses AI-powered route detection to ensure fast, reliable connectivity anywhere in the world – including China.
Our network overlay is compatible with any SASE solution and lets you easily optimize secure connectivity between users and applications without changing your security vendor. However you work (onsite, remote, hybrid) and whatever you connect, Teridion expertly optimizes the routing for all your network traffic.
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