Secure Access Service Edge (SASE): Moving Beyond Traditional IT Architecture

An increasingly remote workforce and edge computing applications have heightened the need to fortify perimeter-based defenses and build device trust. A prime solution for this challenge is the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architectural model, which incorporates many existing security solutions yet offers a unique, holistic approach to security and networking.

Unlike traditional solutions, SASE is a cloud-based, single-service model that integrates a broad range of networking and security functions.

What Is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)?

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a network architecture concept introduced by Gartner in 2019. It combines wide area network (WAN) capabilities and network security services in a single, cloud-based service. It's designed to support organizations' dynamic, secure access needs.

Essential components of SASE include software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN), secure web gateways, firewall as a service (FWaaS), cloud access security brokers (CASB), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

With SASE, security is identity-driven and directly built into the network fabric, providing secure access regardless of the user’s location and the applications' location (data center, public cloud, SaaS). This model simplifies management, increases agility, and improves performance compared to traditional networking and security solutions.

While SASE is similar to another term coined by Gartner - Secure Service Edge (SSE) - it differentiates itself by looking at the intersection of network and security capabilities at the WAN edge and SSE. SSE can be viewed as one of the two major components of the SASE framework, mostly focusing on combining cloud-based solutions like CASB, ZTNA, SWG, and FWaaS.

Why Is SASE Important?

SASE is important primarily because it caters to modern business requirements and work models that are increasingly decentralized and cloud-based. Here are some reasons why SASE is crucial:

• Enhanced Security: As companies continue to digitize and move their operations to the cloud, they face an increasing number of security threats. The SASE model allows businesses to secure cloud-based network environments and protect data from cyber threats.
• Remote Work: With the rise in remote working, employees need secure access to company resources from various locations. SASE allows secure, direct, and speedy access to company data from anywhere, improving productivity and user experience.
• Simplified Management: Traditional security and networking models require separate and often complex management. In contrast, SASE converges networking and security services into a single cloud-based platform, simplifying management and reducing costs.
• Scalability: As a cloud-native architecture, SASE can easily scale up or down based on business requirements. This saves companies from having to make large infrastructure investments upfront.
• Performance: With its cloud-native framework, SASE reduces network latency, greatly enhancing performance and user experience.
• Future-Proof: SASE is a modern architecture that aligns with the ongoing trends towards cloud-based working, making it future-proof and more suitable for digital transformation.
• Compliance: Compliance with data regulations can be more comfortable with SASE as it offers complete network visibility and allows policy-based controls, helping in maintaining data sovereignty and privacy regulations.
• Reduced Costs: By converging networks and security services, businesses can reduce the infrastructure & maintenance costs associated with running separate systems for each of these services.

The Key Components of SASE

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) comprises several key components that work together to provide enhanced security and network management. SASE combines these traditionally separate components into a single, cloud-based service model:

• Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN): This is a virtual, application-centric networking architecture that improves the performance of the WAN by using software and cloud-based technologies to prioritize traffic.
• Secure Web Gateway (SWG): SWGs are a type of security solution that filters unwanted software/malware from user-initiated Web/Internet traffic and enforces corporate and regulatory policy compliance.
• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS): This is a cloud-based firewall service that provides network security and management capabilities.
• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): CASBs manage the interaction between the end user and cloud service providers and provide visibility, compliance, data security, and threat protection.
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): ZTNA solutions provide secure access to private applications without giving users access to the whole network. This reduces the chances of lateral movement of threats.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): DLP is a strategy for preventing end users from sending sensitive data outside the corporate network.
• Identity and Access Management: This is a framework for managing digital identities and controlling access to enterprise resources.

How SASE Works

SASE integrates a wide spectrum of network and security services into a single, centralized cloud-based service that can be easily managed and scaled.

Here's a brief explanation of how SASE works:

• All network traffic, whether it originates from mobile users, branch offices, IoT devices, or cloud applications, is directed towards the SASE service,
• Based on the user's identity, location, device, and the application they're trying to access, SASE applies a context-aware security policy enforced consistently no matter where the user or application resides.
• The network traffic is then securely routed over the most optimal transport method (e.g., broadband, LTE, MPLS). The SASE service ensures that performance is optimized and that security risks are minimized by inspecting traffic and applying necessary security measures.
• SASE unifies the management and visibility of network and security services, allowing for real-time updates and scaling as necessary. This means that policy changes can be implemented immediately across the entire network, and any threats can be quickly detected and mitigated.

The Benefits of Using SASE

Using SASE in your organization can bring several benefits:

• Simplified Management: SASE consolidates multiple networking and security functions into a single cloud-based service, simplifying administration and reducing the complexity of managing separate solutions.
• Improved Security: SASE incorporates robust security measures such as Zero Trust Network Access, Secure Web Gateway, and Firewall as a Service, which can provide better protection against threats.
• Increased Speed and Performance: By providing network services from the cloud, SASE can potentially increase the speed and performance of your network. The user traffic doesn't need to be routed through a central location, which can reduce latency and improve user experience.
• Scalability: SASE is highly scalable, which makes it well-suited to businesses of all sizes. It can easily grow to accommodate more users or new locations.
• Cost Savings: By reducing the need for on-premise hardware and consolidating services, SASE can provide cost savings. It moves towards a more predictable operational expenditure (OpEx) model.
• Enhanced Mobility and Flexibility: SASE enables secure access for remote workers and mobile users, supporting the increasingly dispersed workforce.
• Consistent Policy Enforcement: With SASE, security policies can be consistently enforced regardless of the user's location or device, ensuring the same level of protection across the entire organization.
• Future-proof: Given the increasing traffic and workloads on cloud-based environments, SASE's cloud-native framework helps organizations stay ready for future business expansions or changes.
• Greater Visibility and Control: SASE gives organizations better visibility into network activity and allows for more control over data flow and user access, thus aiding in compliance.

Potential SASE Implementation Challenges

Implementing SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) comes with several challenges, including:

• Migration Complexity: Traditionally, network security functions and WAN capabilities have been handled by distinct teams using separate tools. Integrating these areas under a unified SASE model means changing established processes, which can be challenging.
• Limited Expertise: SASE is still a relatively new concept, and many organizations may not have the necessary knowledge or skills in-house to implement it effectively.
• Vendor Selection: There are a few vendors in the market provide comprehensive SASE offerings. An organization would need to critically evaluate these vendors to ensure they provide reliable and effective SASE components.
• Interoperability: Since SASE combines multiple functions, integrating various network and security capabilities may cause interoperability issues.
• Deployment Time: Transitioning to a SASE framework can be time-consuming, particularly for companies with a large and widespread network infrastructure.
• Scaling: While SASE is designed to scale, achieving the full scalability potential of SASE architecture can be a challenge, particularly for businesses dealing with static, hardware-based network infrastructure.
• Visibility and Control: It might be challenging to achieve granular visibility and control while balancing user privacy and system performance.
• Regulatory Compliance: SASE could pose challenges in meeting specific regulatory compliance standards, particularly related to data localization and privacy.
• Cost: Depending on the existing infrastructure and the scope of the intended deployment, the initial setup and transition costs of moving to a SASE model can be substantial.

What Are SASE Use Cases?

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) can be applied in various scenarios, which include:

• Remote Work: SASE allows for secure remote access to internal enterprise applications and cloud services. With the increase in remote workforces, traditional VPNs are being replaced by cloud-delivered security services included in SASE.
• Cloud Migration: As organizations increasingly move their applications and services to the cloud, SASE effectively supports secure access to these resources, regardless of user location.
• Branch Office Connectivity: SASE can securely and effectively link branch offices by integrating SD-WAN capabilities with comprehensive security services.
• Mergers and Acquisitions: In these scenarios, SASE can help in providing immediate secure network access to the acquiring or merging companies without the need for hardware deployments or heavy infrastructure investments.
• Mobile and Edge Computing: SASE allows for the delivery of secure and low-latency network connections to mobile users and edge computing applications.
• Supplier and Partner Access: SASE can securely provide network access to suppliers and partners, ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to specific network resources based on their role and the context of their access.
• IoT Security: SASE can help in securing IoT devices by providing zero trust network access and secure web gateways.

SASE Implementation Best Practices

Implementing Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) requires careful planning and execution. Here are some best practices for SASE implementation:

• Understand Your Network Needs: Before choosing a SASE provider, enterprises must understand their data traffic patterns, which apps are most used, where their users are located, what kind of data security is needed, and what network performance levels are required.
• Prioritize Security: SASE incorporates various security functionalities in its solution. Prioritize these features to avoid cyber threats. Make security an integral part of your network architecture, not an add-on.
• Use a Step-by-Step Approach: Transitioning to SASE can be a complex task. Consider a gradual approach, starting with areas that need immediate attention like remote worksites or certain cloud environments.
• Ensure Interoperability: It's crucial that the SASE platform you adopt can work well with your existing infrastructure to avoid issues with functionality and deployment.
• Select the Right Vendor: Not all vendors provide the same set of services in their SASE offerings. Pick vendors who align with your business needs and can provide high-quality networking and security services.
• Training: Make sure your team is trained in how to use and manage the SASE platform. This will make the transition smoother and more effective.
• Measure Success: Define metrics for success before implementation, and track those KPIs regularly to assess the effectiveness of the SASE implementation.
• Long-Term Support and Updates: Choose a SASE platform that provides long-term support and regular updates to stay secure against emerging threats.
• Scalability: The SASE solution must be able to scale with your business. As the business grows and evolves, the solution should be able to adapt quickly.
• Regular Audits: Regular security audits can help identify vulnerabilities and measure the effectiveness of the security measures in place. These audits will help keep the SASE implementation relevant and effective.

Explore Fortra’s Secure Service Edge

Successful adoption of SASE requires careful planning, selecting the right vendor, comprehensive training, and robust change management processes.
If you're looking into SASE solutions, consider Fortra Secure Service Edge, which provides comprehensive protection from endpoint to cloud.