What is SASE?
The Convergence of Network and Security Functions Delivered as a Service
SASE Defined
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE, pronounced “sassy”) combines comprehensive network capabilities with network-related security functions (such as Firewall NG, Secure Web Gateway, CASB and ZTNA) to support the dynamic, secure access needs of digital enterprises. It is provided as a service to ensure consistent and effective central policy management as well as the means to rapidly react to business changes.
In simple terms, SASE is the future of cybersecurity, combining network security and network needs (i.e. connecting to the company’s network) in a cloud-based service without compromising on the offered security of having security and networks tied to a physical location.
COMPONENTS OF SASE
Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
SASE includes a SWG to provide secure internet access by filtering web traffic and blocking malicious content and threats.
Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
SASE incorporates a zero-trust security model that assumes no user or device can be trusted and requires continuous authentication and authorization checks to ensure only authorized users and devices can access resources. Most importantly, implementation of ZTNA via a SASE platform elilminates the need, costs and complexity of VPN solutions.
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
SASE uses a CASB to secure access to cloud-based applications and services by enforcing policies and monitoring usage.
SD-WAN
SASE leverages Software Defined Networking to provide a virtualized network infrastructure that can be easily and quickly reconfigured to meet changing business needs.
Firewall
SASE offers firewalls to provide network security by inspecting and filtering traffic at the network edge.
What is the Future of SASE?
Although the SASE model is still growing and evolving, it is rising to become one of the greatest business needs in this digital era. In fact, Gartner estimated that by 2024, over 40% of companies would be seeking solutions to adopt a SASE cybersecurity model. As more people use various devices, locations, and software to work remotely, it is increasingly important to implement a single cybersecurity service that doesn’t compromise data and isn’t overly complex.
What Pain Points Are Driving SASE Adoption?
Increasing Complexity
With the increase of many new network and security solutions, which are designed to serve specifically one need, the complexity of integrating those point solutions into one multi-functional platform has reached new heights. SASE is meant to be a catch-all solution to help companies avoid implementing various cybersecurity solutions which add complexity and leave the door open for holes in security.
It’s not only about integrating different functionalities but also about the end-to-end testing of those, their monitoring and the operations and professional support of them. With remote work, having 24-hour SASE support without affecting the user experience is paramount for digital companies.
Rigid Architecture
Rigid and outdated network and security infrastructure and difficulties for staff networks and security IT teams make it difficult to cope with today’s agility requirements for the SASE digital infrastructure.
Recent events have shown that companies need to be prepared with a future-proof setup. A rapid reaction is crucial to ensure business continuity and support the need for new business initiatives. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven that having flexible network solutions gives companies an edge on cyber threats and competition, as the future is never set in stone.
Lack of Visibility and Control
IT teams typically have little actionable visibility into what’s happening in their environments and are often forced to make potentially consequential decisions based on incomplete information. This results in losing control over networks, applications, security policies, costs, and causes operational frustration due to low end-user experience.
SASE helps keep the whole cybersecurity solution under one roof, making it much easier to see the potential issues and relieving IT teams from having to dig for partial solutions.
With the increase of many new network and security solutions, which are designed to serve specifically one need, the complexity of integrating those point solutions into one multi-functional platform has reached new heights. SASE is meant to be a catch-all solution to help companies avoid implementing various cybersecurity solutions which add complexity and leave the door open for holes in security.
It’s not only about integrating different functionalities but also about the end-to-end testing of those, their monitoring and the operations and professional support of them. With remote work, having 24-hour SASE support without affecting the user experience is paramount for digital companies.
Rigid and outdated network and security infrastructure and difficulties for staff networks and security IT teams make it difficult to cope with today’s agility requirements for the SASE digital infrastructure.
Recent events have shown that companies need to be prepared with a future-proof setup. A rapid reaction is crucial to ensure business continuity and support the need for new business initiatives. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven that having flexible network solutions gives companies an edge on cyber threats and competition, as the future is never set in stone.
IT teams typically have little actionable visibility into what’s happening in their environments and are often forced to make potentially consequential decisions based on incomplete information. This results in losing control over networks, applications, security policies, costs, and causes operational frustration due to low end-user experience.
SASE helps keep the whole cybersecurity solution under one roof, making it much easier to see the potential issues and relieving IT teams from having to dig for partial solutions.
SASE Architectural Advantages
- Reduced Complexity - Tight integration of comprehensive wide area networking (WAN) and network security functions reduces the complexity and functional overlap that comes with implementing multiple specialized cybersecurity systems.
- A Single, Solid Solution - A unified network and security platform enables flexible architecture as functionalities can be dynamically activated when needed.
- Reduced Costs - Having a single cybersecurity solution helps reduce inevitable extra costs that come from having to pay for multiple cybersecurity systems that generally overlap in some functionality or another.
- Increased Productivity - Delivery of SASE as a service reduces operational overhead and IT overhaul, helping the company focus on its goals without having to worry about security.
- Better User Experience - Ubiquitous, well-peered cloud services complemented by branch edge devices provide holistic visibility and greatly reduce end-to-end network latency for an improved end-user experience
- Increased Control - Real-time, context-based policy capabilities help improve policy accuracy and efficacy and result in a better infrastructure control
- Better Data Protection - A cloud-based SASE solution reduces the risk of data breach to help companies rest assured that their data will not be abused or leaked.
How Does SASE Help?
SASE integrates networking and security functions tightly on one cloud-native platform. This approach allows companies to bring network and security functionality as close to the user as a cloud-based service which relieves a number of problems: flexible edge functionality activation to match today’s business agility requirements and increased performance by eliminating the need to backhaul network traffic through a gauntlet of network security devices in the data center miles away.
Open Systems Managed SASE
Open Systems offered integrated SD-WAN and security functions as a service even before SASE became the next big thing. Our Managed SASE service is a balanced mix of network and security functions, completely unified on one platform and delivered as a world-class service.
Connect
Connect users, machines, apps, and data in a high performance and reliable way – from anywhere to anywhere.
Protect
Protect users, apps, and data from web threats as well as malicious access and misuse.
Manage
Experience unrivaled service, a multi-functional customer portal, 24×7 expert-level operations, and continuous technical consulting.
Open Systems Managed SASE
With a network of global access points, Open Systems Managed SASE secures users no matter where they work. It delivers direct, fast, and reliable connections to the internet and cloud and is centrally managed and easy to expand to reach anywhere and anything.
Contact Open Systems today and see how our SASE solution can transform your organization’s network and security.
