Exploring SASE - Secure Access Service Edge

We're living in a digital world—even more so now than ever before. And with that digital world comes the need for greater security measures. Gartner coined the term SASE in 2019 to describe a new approach to securing the enterprise network in the digital age. 

SASE is a new type of security solution that combines both network and security capabilities into one service, allowing organizations and businesses to build secure networks without having to deploy additional hardware.

But what exactly is SASE and how does it work? In this blog post, we'll dive into the details of Security Access Service Edge and discuss why it's an important tool for businesses today. We'll look at the benefits of SASE and explore how it can help ensure the safety and security of your data—and your business as a whole.

What is SASE?

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a security framework that combines a variety of security services with software-defined wide-area network (SD-WAN) capabilities into a single, cloud-based solution. SASE aims to simplify network security by providing a unified platform that offers comprehensive protection across multiple locations, devices, and users.

The SASE market is experiencing significant growth, with the global SASE market expected to reach $4.1 billion by 2026. The increasing adoption of cloud computing, the rise of remote work, and the growing number of cyber threats are driving the growth of the SASE market.

Key Components of SASE

SASE incorporates four key components, including Secure Web Gateways (SWG), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), and Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS). Their functions are as follows:

Secure web gateway (SWG) – Provides secure internet access by blocking malicious websites and filtering web content.

Cloud access security broker (CASB) – Provides visibility and control over cloud applications, including software as a service (SaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), and platform as a service (PaaS).

Zero-trust network access (ZTNA) – Provides secure access to applications and services by authenticating users and devices before granting access.

Firewall as a service (FWaaS) – Provides network security by enforcing access policies and blocking malicious traffic.

SASE also includes other security services, such as intrusion prevention, data loss prevention, and security information and event management (SIEM), which can be added to the core components based on the specific needs of the enterprise. 

If you're wondering how SASE works, think of it as a Swiss Army Knife of network security. This is a common analogy often used to describe SASE, as it has many functions and features, which can be deployed in different ways. 

When you use a Swiss Army knife, you can choose the tool you need for a particular task, whether it's a knife, a screwdriver, or a pair of scissors. Similarly, with SASE, you can choose the security and networking functions you need for a particular use case, such as secure web gateway, zero-trust network access, or SD-WAN. It combines multiple security functions and capabilities into a unified, easy-to-use, and cost-effective platform.

Who is SASE For?

Ideal for digital businesses that require a flexible and agile networking and security architecture, and expand to remote locations and/or cloud services rapidly, SASE offers the benefit of a comprehensive, integrated solution for networking and security without the need for multiple point products. 

SASE is designed to address the security challenges faced by modern businesses, such as the need to secure remote workers, cloud applications, and internet of things (IoT) devices. Unlike traditional network security, SASE is cloud-native and designed to address the needs of the modern workforce. It is also flexible, scalable, and easy to manage. With SASE, companies can establish a secure network perimeter that extends beyond the traditional data center, to include remote workers, branch offices, and cloud-based applications.

The benefits of SASE are numerous. By combining multiple security features into a single, integrated solution, SASE can reduce the complexity of the security infrastructure, increase agility, and enhance security. SASE also provides greater visibility into network activity and simplifies compliance management.

The 'Service Edge' in SASE

The service edge in SASE (Security Access Service Edge) refers to the convergence of networking and security services at the edge of the network. Traditionally, organizations would provide security by having traffic go through a data center or firewall before it reaches its destination. However, with the rise of cloud computing and remote work, this approach has become less effective.

In a SASE architecture, security and networking services are delivered from the cloud and distributed throughout the network edge, closer to the end-users and devices that need to access them. This means that security and networking policies can be enforced regardless of where the user or device is located, without having to backhaul traffic to a central location.

The service edge in SASE typically includes a combination of services such as secure web gateway (SWG), cloud access security broker (CASB), secure remote access (SRA), firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS), and more. The combination of these services at the network edge provides a more holistic approach to security and networking, allowing organizations to better manage risk and provide better user experiences.

The Evolution of SASE

Not long ago, security and networking were entirely separate domains. Networking focused on connecting users to applications, while security protected networks and data. This divided approach led to security gaps and headaches for IT teams.

Enter SASE, or Secure Access Service Edge. SASE converges networking and security into a single cloud-native service. It provides secure connectivity, threat protection, and identity management all in one place.

First proposed in 2019 by Gartner, this unified approach helps solve challenges like securing cloud access and remote users.

As businesses have moved more infrastructure and applications to the cloud, the need for SASE has grown. Employees now access company resources from anywhere using personal and company-owned devices. SASE gives IT visibility and control over all these connections through a single pane of glass.

Regulatory Compliance and SASE

As data privacy laws tighten and security risks rise, organizations need to find ways to secure data and comply with regulations. SASE boasts an array of capabilities tailored to address compliance challenges effectively:

• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): SASE's DLP features restrict unauthorized access to sensitive data, ensuring compliance with stringent regulations like GDPR and HIPAA that mandate strict controls over personal data handling.
• Secure Web Gateway and Firewall-as-a-Service: Equipped with these components, SASE shields networks from external threats such as malware and phishing attacks, meeting requirements outlined in PCI DSS compliance.
• Granular Visibility and Control: Leveraging zero-trust network access, SASE demands user and device authentication before accessing network resources. This not only thwarts unauthorized data access but also facilitates meticulous monitoring and logging of network activities, aligning with regulatory standards.
• Cloud-Native Design Integration: SASE's cloud-native design seamlessly integrates with various cloud-based services and tools like IAM solutions and SIEM systems. This integration streamlines compliance efforts, automating tasks like user provisioning, monitoring, and centralized management of security policies and reporting.

SASE and Zero Trust

SASE and Zero Trust Security share a fundamental objective in fortifying network infrastructure against threats, yet they differ in their approach and scope. At the core of their distinction is the cloud-based architecture inherent in SASE, which is integral to designing a Zero Trust framework. Zero Trust revolves around controlling access to the network, applications, and data by assuming that any device or user is not inherently authorized. SASE, on the other hand, goes beyond Zero Trust by encompassing a comprehensive management of various technological aspects. While Zero Trust primarily offers a strategy for access and authorization controls, SASE provides a broader and more intricate framework, incorporating comprehensive network and security services, including the principles of Zero Trust. Despite their interconnectedness, implementing SASE does not automatically instill Zero Trust. Although SASE builds upon Zero Trust, organizations aiming for full Zero Trust implementation within the SASE model must employ multiple strategies, understanding the nuanced differences in scope between the two frameworks. SASE not only leverages the foundational principles of Zero Trust but also introduces layered security controls at the source of a connection, offering a robust and extensive security architecture.

What Problems Does SASE Solve?

SASE is most commonly used to solve the following major challenges:

Remote Work: With the increasing trend of remote work, organizations are looking for solutions that can securely and efficiently connect their remote workforce to corporate resources. SASE provides a unified solution that offers secure access to corporate resources from anywhere, on any device, and over any network.

Cloud Adoption and Migration: As organizations adopt and migrate to cloud-based solutions, their network perimeter becomes more distributed and complex. SASE provides a cloud-native solution that offers security and networking capabilities, such as firewall, VPN, and SD-WAN, that can be seamlessly integrated with cloud environments.

Simplified Management of Security Operations: Managing security operations can be a complex and challenging task. SASE provides a unified security platform that simplifies the management of security operations by consolidating multiple security functions, such as secure web gateway, zero-trust network access, and data loss prevention, into a single platform.

Modernize Network Security: Traditional network security architectures were designed for a centralized, on-premises environment. As networks become more distributed and complex, these architectures become less effective. SASE provides a modern approach to network security that is cloud-native, context-aware, and adaptive to changing network conditions.

Improving Network Performance and Efficiency: SASE provides a software-defined networking approach that optimizes network traffic and ensures the best performance for business-critical applications. SASE also eliminates the need for backhauling traffic to a central location, reducing latency and improving network efficiency.

Business Scaling: As businesses grow, they need to scale their network and security infrastructure accordingly. SASE provides a scalable and flexible solution that can be easily adjusted to meet changing business needs. SASE also enables businesses to adopt a pay-as-you-go model, which allows them to scale their security and networking capabilities in a cost-effective manner.

Conclusion

In conclusion, SASE is becoming increasingly popular as companies look for more integrated, secure architectures. With the rise of cloud computing, mobility, IoT, and 5G, SASE is a critical piece of the puzzle for enterprises that are looking for more secure access to applications.

SASE improves security, ties into the Zero Trust security architecture, and simplifies the way users access cloud applications, resulting in improved performance and cost savings compared to traditional solutions. With SASE, companies can create secure, remote networks, increase user productivity, and achieve better visibility into their networks. SASE is the future of networking and is poised to revolutionize how enterprises approach mobility security.

How Can Threat Intelligence Help?

If you're looking to adopt SASE in your enterprise, the first step is to review your current security architecture and determine where the gaps are. Our security experts can help you evaluate your current security architecture and help you determine where SASE can help improve security and optimize costs. In addition, if you need assistance with incident response planning, you can check out our incident response services. Get in touch with our security experts today to explore your options and move forward with a trusted partner.