The Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architecture was first popularized by Gartner analysts Joe Skorupa and Neil McDonald in 2019 in a networking hype cycle and market trend report in July and a Gartner report in August.
SASE, pronounced “sassy,” is a cloud-native technology with integrated security features in its network fabric.
SASE combines a wide array of network security functions, including SD-WAN, to constantly monitor trust and risk levels. It can recognize malware rapidly and decrypt data fast —features that replace data centers with cloud services and offer distributed workforces with remote network access and top-level security.
Additionally, SASE guarantees real-time connections with proven identities—could be a user, IoT system, application, or device—and also complies with required security policies, regardless of the data source or locations.
This cloud-based security technology has created a stir, with network providers and vendors trying to get their arms on how they can offer similar capabilities to their customers.
The SASE framework and solution merge existing capabilities, transforming them into a whole new architectural concept.
What is SASE Used For?
Having an active SASE framework in an organization will help make IT jobs easier while also improving the security of resources, developing flexible solutions, reducing maintenance costs, and facilitating rapid user and device connections.
SASE also offers a Zero Trust security cloud-delivering service to an organization and its hybrid staff. It validated devices and users’ access to networks regardless of their location. SASE also provides complete protection on application sessions, whether within or outside the network.
Here are Three Core Capabilities That Come With SASE
1. Policy-Driven: Zero Trust
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is another core SASE capability, and here is a simple concept: ‘Nothing deserves to be trusted until it has been verified.’
The model demands that the questions of who, what, where, why, when, and how must determine if a connection will enjoy access to a network or not. It is developed by organizational mechanisms that will efficiently implement based access control.
The way network boundaries are moving gradually to the cloud and to an endpoint where devices and users connect may benefit workplace productivity. This will also signify broader network entry points and more lateral traffic through the cloud and network. Incorporating a Zero Trust system into the environment will ensure a robust security posture of an organization.
The Zero Trust architecture enforces a consistent corporate security policy distributed across user locations per session, regardless of the device being used, resources being accessed, or the location of the assets.
2. Secure Authentication Mechanism Distribution
The SASE’s core capability is designed to deliver a secure authentication mechanism nearer to a user base. In a similar procedure, a Content Delivery Network (CDN) caches resources closer to their user base.
This approach alters conventional hub-and-spoke architecture where the network is conducted at concentration points, hubs, and destinations. SASE allots cloud-based authentication gateways close to a distributed user base and makes it possible for the network to deliver multiple complementary capabilities.
As a cloud-delivering technology, SASE gives room for a more affordable structure by creating a system that optimizes network traffic, boosts protection, and is easily accessible to users.
3. SD-WAN Transformation
The functionality of SD-WAN has been a vital focus area for organizations recently and a key SASE capability.
Many establishments have been actively involved in transforming how their WAN functions to prioritize applications and improve traffic. While this feature is an integral part of the SASE capability set, the distinction between the SASE and SD-WAN emanates from the advantages of a cloud-based network edge in a more accessible position to the user.
Some times back, SD-WAN deployments have relied so much on unique software and hardware deployed all around concentration points of traffic in an enterprise’s WAN.
This setup will not go out absolutely, but migrating to a SASE structure redirects concentration points to accelerate the transformation process—a situation that is especially applicable to remote users. Prioritizing applications can be properly directed and proactively scalable, and users will experience an improved, steadily delivered quality.
Conclusion
SASE should be considered in every organization willing to embark on cloud innovation and transformation. As more companies evaluate and implement SASE core capabilities, the highlighted factors above must be primarily considered.
Having good insight into how implementing SASE will restructure your network’s architecture will position your business to take advantage of its new capabilities.
SASE also consolidates key security functions and networking functions into a solution architecture efficiently managed from a single management system.