What is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) – A Managerial Guide For Network Security

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a cloud-based security service that uses encryption to protect your data. It is designed to protect your confidential information from hackers and other cyber threats.

There are many dangers that businesses face on the internet. One of the most serious is data theft, especially as businesses continue to collect and keep copious amounts of data regularly, with the vast majority obtaining massive amounts daily. Hackers can access your confidential information and use it for their purposes. This can be very damaging to your business, both financially and reputation-wise.

Implementing services like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) from an industry leader like Perimeter81 is essential.

SASE helps protect your data by encrypting it and keeping it safe from prying eyes. As a result, we will detail in this blog post how SASE protects your data and how it can benefit your business, thus highlighting just how important it is to have this security solution.

What is SASE?

SASE stands for Secure Access Service Edge, which combines vast area network (WAN) capabilities with network security functions like firewalls, secure web gateways, and zero-trust network access to provide secure access to applications and data from anywhere, anytime, and on any device.

It aims to simplify and streamline network security by providing a cloud-based solution that can be easily managed and scaled.

It is delivered as a cloud-based service. It provides centralized management and policy control across all network and security functions.

SASE can scale networking and security dynamically based on user, device, application, and location.

Policies adapt to provide the right level of access and security.

A unified policy is applied across all locations, edges, clouds, and users. This ensures consistent security and connectivity everywhere.

SASE encrypts your data so that only authorized users can access it. This makes it much more difficult for hackers to steal your data. Even if they can gain access to your system, they will not be able to read or use your confidential information.

How Does SASE Protect Your Data?

There are several ways that SASE protects your data.

SASE uses several different technologies to protect your data. One of the most important is encryption. This ensures that only authorized users can access your information.

Even if a hacker were to gain access to your network, they would not be able to read your data. SASE also uses other security measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection, to further protect your information.

Another benefit of SASE security is that it can help you save money on internet costs. By encrypting your data, SASE reduces the bandwidth you need. This can lead to significant savings, especially for businesses with large amounts of data.

There is no denying that these solutions can sometimes be a little expensive. However, they should be considered a necessary cost that can save you a fortune as they can protect data.

Moreover, SASE can help improve the performance of your network by reducing latency. This means the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another is reduced. This can benefit businesses that rely heavily on the internet, such as e-commerce.

Additionally, SASE provides several reports that can help you monitor your network. These reports can show you where your data is accessed and who is accessing it. This information can be beneficial in identifying potential security threats.

SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) protects your data through security measures and controls implemented within its architecture. Here are some ways in which SASE helps protect your data:

1. Data Encryption: SASE incorporates encryption mechanisms to safeguard data as it travels over the network. It utilizes protocols such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to establish secure connections between endpoints. This encryption ensures that data remains confidential and cannot be intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties.
2. Zero Trust Security Model: SASE follows a Zero Trust security model, which assumes no user or device should be inherently trusted. It enforces strict access controls and authentication mechanisms before granting access to data and network resources. Users and devices are verified based on identity, integrity, and contextual information. This approach helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.
3. Secure Web Gateways (SWG): SASE often incorporates secure web gateways as part of its security services. SWGs inspect web traffic for threats like malware, phishing attempts, and malicious websites. By blocking or filtering malicious content, SWGs help protect against data breaches and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
4. Data Loss Prevention (DLP): SASE may include data loss prevention capabilities to prevent the unauthorized disclosure or leakage of sensitive data. DLP tools monitor data in transit and at rest, applying policies to identify and prevent data breaches. These policies can include blocking or encrypting certain data types, preventing data exfiltration, or enforcing data classification and handling rules.
5. Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): CASB functionality is often integrated into SASE solutions to provide visibility and control over cloud applications and services. CASBs monitor and enforce security policies for cloud-based data storage and collaboration platforms, ensuring that data is protected and compliant with security requirements. CASBs can also enable data encryption, access controls, and activity monitoring within cloud environments.
6. Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS): SASE may incorporate intrusion prevention systems to detect and prevent network-based attacks. IPS tools monitor network traffic for suspicious activities and known attack signatures. They can detect and block attempts to exploit vulnerabilities, helping to protect data from unauthorized access or manipulation.
7. Continuous Monitoring and Analytics: SASE solutions typically include monitoring and analytics capabilities to provide real-time visibility into network traffic, user behavior, and security events. By continuously monitoring the network, these tools can identify potential security threats or anomalous behavior that may indicate a data breach. Analytics can help identify patterns and trends, allowing for proactive threat detection and response.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Features:

SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) is a network architecture that combines network security and wide area networking (WAN) capabilities into a single cloud-based service.

It aims to simplify network infrastructure and improve security by converging multiple security functions into a unified platform. Here are some key features of SASE:

Cloud-native architecture: SASE is built on a cloud-native architecture, leveraging the scalability, flexibility, and agility of the cloud. It allows organizations to access network services and security functions from the cloud, eliminating the need for on-premises hardware.

Software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN): SD-WAN is a fundamental component of SASE. It provides secure and optimized connectivity across geographically distributed locations like branch offices, data centers, and cloud environments.

SD-WAN enables organizations to prioritize traffic, optimize bandwidth usage, and dynamically route network traffic based on application requirements.

Network security services: SASE integrates many services into a unified platform. These services may include next-generation firewalls (NGFW), secure web gateways (SWG), data loss prevention (DLP), cloud access security broker (CASB), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and more. These security services are delivered as a service from the cloud and are centrally managed.

Zero Trust security model: SASE incorporates a Zero Trust security model, which assumes no user or device should be inherently trusted. It enforces strict access controls and authentication mechanisms to verify user identities and device integrity before granting access to network resources. This approach helps protect against unauthorized access and insider threats.

Identity and context-based access: SASE focuses on identity and context-based access control. It leverages user and device attributes, along with contextual information such as location, time of access, and behavior patterns, to determine the appropriate level of access to network resources. This enables dynamic and granular access controls based on each user’s specific needs and the device’s security posture.

Integrated security and networking policies: SASE provides a centralized policy management framework that combines security and networking policies. Organizations can define policies that govern network access, traffic routing, security rules, and threat prevention measures in a unified manner. This simplifies policy management and ensures consistent security and networking across the entire network infrastructure.

Continuous monitoring and analytics: SASE solutions often include advanced monitoring and analytics capabilities. They provide real-time visibility into network traffic, user behavior, security events, and performance metrics. This enables organizations to detect and respond to security threats proactively, troubleshoot network issues, and optimize network performance.

These are some of the key features of SASE that make it an appealing approach for organizations seeking to simplify and secure their network infrastructure. It provides a unified and cloud-native solution for secure and optimized connectivity, combining network and security functions into a single platform.

The importance of a SASE security solution

Of course, after reading about all the benefits that a SASE security solution can provide your business, it becomes very quickly evident how important it is for organizations to implement one.

Several dangers can be faced while conducting business on the internet, with a range of cyberattacks regularly taking place that are becoming more and more advanced because of the developments experienced by technology.

However, as we have outlined, there is no doubt that a SASE security solution will be perfect in combating any attack experienced by hackers looking to steal the data that may be stored.

The idea of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is relatively new in cloud computing and network security.

It combines network security functions like secure web gateways (SWG), cloud access security brokers (CASB), zero-trust network access (ZTNA), and firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS) into a single, unified service delivered from the cloud.

Traditional network security techniques are becoming less effective as the modern world becomes more dependent on cloud services and remote work. The following factors contribute to the growing demand for SASE:

• Cloud Adoption: Organizations increasingly use cloud services and applications, which require secure access from any location.
• Remote Work: With more employees working remotely, there’s a need for improved security measures that can accommodate these workers.
• IoT and Edge Devices: The proliferation of IoT devices and edge computing has increased the number of potential vulnerabilities and attack vectors.

According to a Gartner report, at least 40% of businesses will have explicit adoption strategies for SASE by 2024, up from less than 1% in 2018.

The SASE market was expected to grow at a CAGR of over 30% between 2021 and 2026, according to a report by MarketsandMarkets.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a vital security solution for today’s increasingly cloud-based and distributed IT environments.

By consolidating multiple security functions into a single, cloud-delivered service, SASE simplifies network security management, reduces costs, and improves performance. 

SASE is gaining popularity among organizations that are looking to modernize their network infrastructure and improve their security posture, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has accelerated the shift to remote work and cloud-based applications.

SASE has several key impacts on network security and IT infrastructure:

• Simplified Security: By combining multiple security functions into a single service, organizations can simplify their security management and reduce the complexity of their IT environment.
• Reduced Costs: Because SASE is delivered as a cloud service, organizations can reduce the cost of deploying, maintaining, and upgrading their security infrastructure.
• Improved Performance: SASE’s cloud-native architecture allows for faster, more efficient delivery of security services, providing better performance for users and applications.
• Scalability: SASE’s cloud-based delivery makes it easy for organizations to scale their security services up or down as needed, allowing them to adapt to changing business requirements.

SASE represents a significant deviation from traditional network security solutions in several ways and offers a more comprehensive, cloud-based approach to network security better suited to modern organizations’ needs than traditional network security solutions.

Some of the major companies offering SASE services are:

1. Perimeter81 –  Secure Access Service Edge platform combines network and security functionality into one scalable, cost-efficient, cloud-based service.
2. Palo Alto Networks – Palo Alto Networks SASE solution includes Prisma Access which provides firewalls, SWG, ZTNA, CASB, DNS security, and SD-WAN.
3. Zscaler – Zscaler was one of the first to offer SASE with its Zscaler Internet Access and Zscaler Private Access products. It provides full stack SASE capabilities including SWG, FWaaS, ZTNA, CASB, and SD-WAN.
4. VMware – VMware SASE solution incorporates technology from the VeloCloud SD-WAN, Workspace ONE, and Carbon Black acquisitions. It provides SWG, ZTNFortinet A, endpoint security, and secure SD-WAN.
5. Fortinet – Fortinet offers SASE through its FortiGate Secure SD-WAN and other cloud-delivered security solutions. It provides NGFW, SWG, CASB, Zero Trust security, and SD-WAN capabilities.
6. Check Point – Check Point Harmony provides SASE solutions with its CloudGuard security platform and Quantum SD-WAN products. It offers FWaaS, SWG, ZTNA, DLP, SandBlast threat prevention, and secure SD-WAN.
7. Akamai – Akamai Intelligent Edge Platform provides a SASE solution with its Enterprise Application Access and Enterprise Threat Protector products. It offers ZTNA, SWG, WAF, Bot Manager, and DDoS protection along with an SD-WAN overlay.
8. Versa Networks – Versa SASE solution provides capabilities such as SD-WAN, NGFW, SWG, ZTNA, CASB, sandboxing, bandwidth optimization, etc through its FlexVNF platform.

Netskope – Netskope offers a converged SASE solution called Netskope NextGen SWG. It provides Cloud Firewall, SWG, CASB, ZTNA, and zero trust security capabilities. Netskope primarily focuses on data and threat protection.

9. Cisco – Cisco offers SASE through its Cisco Cloud Web Security, Umbrella, and SD-WAN products. These provide capabilities like SWG, CASB, FWaaS, and secure SD-WAN.

So there are many options for enterprises looking to adopt SASE architecture. The main thing is finding a solution that will meet the specific networking, security, deployment, and management requirements.

How Does SASE Work?

SASE combines networking and security functions into a single cloud-based platform that provides secure access to applications and data from any location and on any device. 

SASE or Secure Access Service Edge works in the following way:

• Converged cloud service – SASE converges multiple network and security functions like SD-WAN, firewall, URL filtering, AV, DNS security, CASB, etc. into a single cloud-native service. It provides centralized management and policy control.
• Universal policy engine – A unified policy framework controls access and security across all locations, edges, clouds, and users. A single policy is applied universally to ensure consistent control everywhere. Policies can incorporate user, device, location, application, and risk information.
• Dynamic policy enforcement – SASE policies adapt in real-time based on the latest context (user, device, location, app, risk). Access and security are tailored to the specific situation. This results in optimal connectivity and security with the best user experience.
• Continuous risk assessment – SASE continuously monitors networks, devices, applications, and users to assess risk levels. Adaptive policies then respond automatically to mitigate risks. Threat prevention, detection, and response are built-in.
• Optimized edge routing – SASE uses software-defined networking techniques like SD-WAN to route traffic intelligently at the edge. It chooses the most optimal path for connectivity based on application, location, latency, and cost.
• Simple connectivity and access – SASE provides a simple mechanism for any user, device, or location to connect to an organization’s network. This includes branch employees, home workers, contractors, partners, customers, etc. Access is adapted based on identity and policy.
• Open integration – SASE integrates with other IT and security solutions through open APIs. It incorporates information from identity management, SIEM, endpoint protection, cloud access brokers, etc. to provide comprehensive and customized protection.
• Centralized orchestration – SASE is a cloud service with centralized management and orchestration of all networking and security functions.

It provides a single-pane-of-glass view and control across the distributed environment. Software updates are automatic. Resources scale elastically as needed.

By combining these components into a single cloud-based platform, SASE provides a comprehensive and flexible network security and connectivity solution that is ideally suited for modern organizations with distributed workforces and cloud-based applications.

Why is SASE necessary?

SASE is necessary because it addresses many of the key networking, security, and policy challenges associated with digital transformation and migration to the cloud.

It provides fast yet secure access with simplified and centralized management.

SASE provides secure and fast access to cloud applications and services. It includes SD-WAN technology, which optimizes connectivity and application performance.

It also includes zero-trust network access (ZTNA) to provide secure access to the cloud. 

With SASE, organizations do not need to maintain separate networking and security stacks.

SASE converges networking and network security into a single cloud-native platform. This simplifies the overall architecture and management.

SASE allows organizations to configure and enforce consistent access and security policies regardless of user location. 

This includes users accessing applications from remote locations or on mobile devices. SASE provides a single policy control plane to manage all connectivity and security rules.

By funneling all connectivity and access through a SASE system with integrated SD-WAN and ZTNA, organizations benefit from continuous monitoring, the enforcement of access policies, and threat prevention.

This helps mitigate the risks of compromised or vulnerable network connections and unauthorized application access.

With SASE, organizations can embrace the cloud and new access methods like BYOD and mobile devices faster.

SASE provides the secure connectivity and policy framework needed to enable a quick and secure cloud transformation.

Security capabilities of SASE

SASE, or Secure Access Service Edge, is a cloud-based networking and security architecture that brings together various networking and security capabilities into a single platform. 

It provides robust integrated, cloud-delivered security capabilities to protect organizations from modern cyber threats.

 It provides many security capabilities:

• Access control: SASE can provide granular access control based on user, device, location, application, content, etc. It can enforce Zero Trust access controls.
• Threat prevention: SASE includes firewalls, IPS, anti-malware, DNS filtering, etc to prevent known threats. It can detect and block malicious content, malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, etc.
• Data protection: SASE includes solutions like CASB that can enforce data loss prevention policies, encrypt sensitive data, and monitor data usage. It helps prevent unauthorized access and exfiltration of data.
• Visibility and compliance: SASE gives full visibility into users, devices, applications, and data. It generates logs and reports to prove compliance with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, etc.
• Secure web gateway (SWG): SASE includes SWG functionality to filter web traffic and block access to malicious websites. It helps prevent web-based threats.
•  Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): CASB is a security feature provides visibility and control over cloud-based applications and data. CASB can monitor user activity, enforce security policies, and prevent data exfiltration.
• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS): FWaaS is a security feature that provides network security by inspecting traffic and blocking unauthorized access. FWaaS can be used to protect both cloud-based and on-premises resources.
• Zero Trust Network Access: SASE uses principles of Zero Trust like least-privilege access, micro-segmentation, and continuous authentication to provide secure and granular access to applications and resources.
• Secure SD-WAN: The networking stack in SASE provides capabilities such as application-aware intelligent routing, WAN optimization, bandwidth aggregation, etc. but with an added focus on security.
• Cloud-delivered: SASE is a cloud-native framework and the capabilities are delivered via globally distributed points of presence. This makes security more scalable, automated, and available.
• Identity and Access Management (IAM): IAM is a security feature that provides authentication and authorization for users and devices. IAM can be used to enforce security policies and control access to resources.

SASE provides comprehensive security capabilities that can help organizations secure their networks, applications, and data. 

It can streamline security management and enhance overall security posture by combining security functions onto a single platform.

Benefits of SASE

SASE is a new architecture, but it has the potential to greatly ease networking and security for contemporary businesses.

Numerous significant network and security vendors have announced SASE offerings and services.

Some of the key benefits of SASE are:

• Improved security – SASE provides better security coverage and a unified policy framework by combining multiple security functions into a single service. It gives a single-pane-of-glass view across the network and security.
• Agility – SASE is a cloud-native service that can be scaled up or down as needed. New locations can be onboarded quickly. Software updates are automatic. All this makes SASE very agile.
• Simplicity – SASE simplifies networking and security by converging multiple-point solutions into a single service. It reduces the complexity of managing multiple appliances, policies, and vendors.
• Cost savings – SASE’s cloud-native and converged model helps reduce hardware and operational costs associated with deploying and managing multiple solutions.
• Universal policy enforcement – With SASE, a single unified policy can be applied universally across all locations and users, whether they are on-premises or remote. This ensures consistent security everywhere.
• Improved user experience – SASE optimizes network paths and applies security selectively based on user, location, device, and application. This results in a better user experience, especially for remote and mobile users.
• Integration – SASE has open APIs and integrates well with other security and business solutions like SIEM, endpoint security, identity management, and HR systems.

Conclusion

SASE integrates networking and security into a platform delivered via the cloud.

It enables safe and adequate access to resources and applications. SASE has a significant impact because it enables scalable protection against sophisticated organizational threats. 

To increase visibility, regulate access, lower risk, and boost productivity, businesses should adopt SASE.

Choosing a top SASE vendor like Cisco, Palo Alto Networks, or Zscaler ensures robust capabilities, integration, support, and redundancy. 

SASE is essential for digital transformation and long-term business success in today’s fast-paced business environment. Its significance must not be overlooked.

There you have it, everything you need to know about SASE and how it can help your business protect the data that has been collected and stored.

SASE is an essential security solution that can help protect your data from hackers and other cyber threats. It is also very beneficial in terms of cost and performance. If you are not using SASE, then you should consider doing so. It could save your business a lot of money and headaches in the long run.

Source: https://cybersecuritynews.com/sase/