Overview
SASE stands for Secure Access Service Edge, a term coined by Gartner Inc., a leading research and advisory company. SASE represents a new approach to network security that is designed to accommodate the dynamic, cloud-based, and mobile-oriented needs of today's digital businesses. It converges network security and wide-area networking (WAN) capabilities into a single cloud-based service to support the dynamic, secure access needs of organizations.
SASE providers typically have a global network of PoPs strategically located to ensure low-latency access to applications and services regardless of the user's location. This global presence enhances user experience and performance.
In summary, SASE is a holistic approach to network security and connectivity, leveraging cloud-based services, integrated security functions, and SD-WAN technology to provide organizations with a scalable, agile, and secure network architecture. It aligns with the modern workplace, where users are mobile, applications are in the cloud, and security must be adaptive and robust.
Benefits
Cloud-Native Architecture: SASE solutions are built on a cloud-native architecture, making them highly scalable, flexible, and adaptable to the evolving needs of organizations. They leverage the power of the cloud for seamless deployment and management.
Converged Network and Security: SASE converges networking and security services into a single, unified platform. This consolidation simplifies the IT infrastructure, reduces operational overhead, and enhances security by providing a holistic view of network traffic.
Global Points of Presence (PoPs): SASE providers typically have a global network of PoPs strategically located around the world. This network infrastructure ensures low-latency access to applications and services for users, regardless of their geographical location.
Zero Trust Security Model: SASE follows the Zero Trust security model, which means that no user or device is automatically trusted, even if they are inside the corporate network. Access is based on continuous authentication and authorization, enhancing security posture.
Identity-Centric Security: SASE solutions focus on user and device identities as the basis for access control. Access policies are context-aware, taking into account factors like user roles, device types, location, and more to determine the level of access granted.
Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN): SASE incorporates SD-WAN capabilities, allowing organizations to optimize and secure their network traffic. This technology enables dynamic path selection, traffic prioritization, and efficient utilization of multiple network connections
Integrated Security Services: SASE integrates a wide range of security services, including firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS), secure web gateways (SWG), data loss prevention (DLP), and more. This comprehensive security stack ensures protection against evolving threats.
Scalability and Agility: SASE solutions are highly scalable and adaptable. Organizations can easily scale their security and networking capabilities as their business grows, without the need for extensive hardware investments.
Improved User Experience: With global PoPs and optimized routing, SASE enhances the user experience by reducing latency and improving application performance. Users can securely access applications and data from anywhere with minimal disruptions.
Cost Efficiency: SASE can lead to cost savings by eliminating the need for multiple standalone security and networking appliances. It streamlines management and reduces hardware and maintenance expenses.