Gartner defined a new approach to networking and security in 2019: Secure Access Service Edge, in response to the expansion of remote employees and the rising push of firm data and infrastructure into the cloud (SASE). What exactly is SASE? And what difference does it make? In this post, we’ll discover out.
What exactly is SASE?
Secure Access Service Edge (or SASE, pronounced “sassy”) is a cloud-based service paradigm that combines multiple security and networking technologies. Software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN), secure web gateway (SWG), cloud access security broker (CASB), firewall-as-a-service (FWAAS), and zero-trust network access are among these divergent technologies (ZTNA).
Gartner invented the acronym SASE in 2019 to describe the rapidly rising complexity of a hybrid work environment. SASE enables enterprises to simplify user administration, increase network speed, and deliver greater security – regardless of where their workforce is situated.
SASE provides a viable alternative to standard data center security. It combines networking and security services into a cloud-based solution that delivers access and security from the data center to distant offices, traveling users, and beyond. A SASE solution may simplify daily maintenance, provide greater security protection, and increase network performance by selecting a provider with an established track record in both networking and security.
The conventional VPN vs. SASE
Traditional VPNs that previously facilitated remote work are no longer enough for today’s workforce. Organizations must provide a dependable and secure mechanism for workers to work from anywhere — both on and off-network — as the number of partially or remote employees grows.
SASE is a scalable solution for the modern workplace that prioritizes employee and corporate security. Organizations may save money and simplify IT teams by choosing a single cloud-based platform instead of many solutions. SASE is designed to grow to any size workforce, allowing users to access corporate systems from any company-approved device, from any place.
SASE’s main characteristics and advantages
- For a dispersed workforce, simplify network security.
- Consolidate resources using a single, cost-effective as-a-service paradigm.
- Reduce your dependency on out-of-date and costly network and security equipment.
- Provide secure direct-to-internet access to every user, on any device, and from any location.
SD-WAN and SASE
A crucial component of a SASE design is software-defined wide-area networking. Branch offices and traveling users may enjoy consistent network connectivity while being safe and secure thanks to SD-WAN. The days of routing all network traffic through centralized data centers are long gone. Companies may use SD-WAN to guarantee that only the appropriate traffic passes through the data center, avoiding network bottlenecks.
SASE places security at the cloud edge rather than within the data center’s physical boundaries. Whether or not user traffic passes through the data center, this design maintains it safe. For a workforce that is increasingly adopting cloud-based software-as-a-service apps to conduct their tasks, direct internet access (DIA) is safe and secure.
Why SASE now, and why now?
Modern digital security necessitates a significant amount of time, energy, and resources, which enterprises do not always have. By 2021, half of the workforce will be roaming.
79% of organizations are switching to full or partial direct internet connection (DIA)
76% of organizations are seeking cloud security services that can perform many functions.