What is SASE?
SASE, which stands for Secure Access Service Edge, is a term coined by Gartner in 2019. It’s not a single product you can buy off the shelf, but rather a framework or concept that combines network security functions with wide-area networking capabilities.
Think of it like this: You’ve got your company network, and you’ve got all these security tools to protect it. SASE takes all of that and puts it in the cloud. So, instead of having a bunch of separate boxes and software doing different jobs, you have one system that handles everything.
SASE includes things like:
- SD-WAN (software-defined wide area networking)
- Firewall-as-a-service
- Secure web gateways
- Cloud access security brokers
- ZTNA (Zero trust network access)
The big idea is to make security simpler and more flexible. With SASE, it doesn’t matter if your employees are in the office, at home, or working from a coffee shop. They get the same level of security and network performance wherever they are.
It’s designed to be a better fit for how businesses work today, with cloud services, remote work, and bring-your-own-device policies. Traditional network security was built for a world where everything happened inside the company’s walls. SASE is built for a world where work happens everywhere, which often involves multiple-point solutions that can be complex to manage.
SASE Architecture
SASE architecture is all about bringing networking and security together in one cloud-based package. Instead of having a bunch of separate tools and systems, it combines everything into a single service that’s delivered right at the edge of the network.
The backbone of SASE architecture is a network of cloud gateways. These gateways are actually a combination of several technologies: SD-WAN for efficient routing, firewall-as-a-service for protection, secure web gateways for safe internet access, cloud access security brokers to manage cloud services, and zero trust network access for strict authentication.
These integrated gateways are spread out globally, allowing users to connect to the nearest one regardless of their location – be it home, office, or anywhere else. These gateways do more than just provide connectivity. They’re the security powerhouses of the SASE setup, handling traffic inspection, policy enforcement, and access control for all your applications, whether they’re hosted in the cloud or your own data centers.
One of the cool things about this architecture is how flexible it is. Because it’s all cloud-based, you can easily scale up or down, add new features, or change things around as your business needs to evolve. You’re not stuck with a bunch of hardware that you have to keep updating or replacing.
So, in essence, SASE architecture is about creating a unified, cloud-based system that handles both networking and security. It’s designed to be simpler to manage, more flexible, and better suited to today’s distributed workforce and cloud-centric business world.
Benefits of SASE
Simplified Management
Gone are the days of juggling a dozen different security tools. SASE brings everything under one roof. You’ve got one dashboard to rule them all, making it way easier to keep tabs on your network and security. No more switching between screens or trying to piece together info from different systems. It’s all there, ready for you to manage with just a few clicks.
Cost Savings
Let’s talk money. SASE can be a real wallet-saver. Instead of shelling out for a bunch of different hardware and software licenses, you’re subscribing to one service. Plus, you’re cutting down on the manpower needed to keep everything running. Fewer systems mean fewer specialists, and that means lower labor costs.
Better Security
SASE ups your security game big time. It’s got eyes on everything, from your cloud apps to your on-premise stuff. And because it’s all integrated, you’re not leaving any gaps for the bad guys to sneak through. Plus, with zero trust baked in, you’re always verifying who’s trying to access what.
Improved Performance
Speed matters, and SASE delivers. By routing traffic through the nearest point of presence, you’re cutting down on those annoying delays. Your remote workers get snappy access to the tools they need, no matter where they’re logging in from. And because you’re not backhauling everything to a central data center, you’re avoiding those bandwidth bottlenecks that slow everyone down.
Flexibility and Scalability
Business needs change, and SASE rolls with the punches. Need to add more users? No problem. Opening a new office? Easy peasy. Because it’s all cloud-based, scaling up (or down) is a breeze. You’re not tied down by physical hardware, so you can adapt on the fly without breaking a sweat.
Consistent User Experience
Whether your team’s working from HQ, a coffee shop, or their couch, SASE gives them the same smooth experience. They get the same level of access and security no matter where they are. No more VPN hassles or dealing with different setups for different locations. It’s the same familiar interface and performance, every time.
Things to Consider When adopting a SASE network
Alright, let’s break down the four key questions you should be asking when you’re thinking about jumping into the SASE game. Here’s my take on it:
How’s your visibility looking?
First things first, you need to know what’s going on in your network. Can you actually see all the traffic moving through your web and cloud services? If you’re saying “kinda,” it might be time to think about bringing your security tools together. Combining your secure web gateway and cloud access security broker could give you that full picture you’re after. And while you’re at it, maybe it’s time to ditch that old VPN for something a bit more modern, like zero trust network access.
Can your security keep up with the cloud?
Let’s face it, the cloud is where it’s at these days. But that means the bad guys are using it too. Your security needs to be able to handle the sheer volume of encrypted traffic flowing through the cloud. If it can’t, you might as well be leaving your front door wide open. Make sure your system can inspect SSL/TLS traffic at cloud scale, or you could be in for a nasty surprise.
Is your network actually usable?
Nobody likes waiting around for pages to load or files to transfer. If your SASE solution is slower than molasses, your users are going to start looking for workarounds – and that’s when things get dicey. You need a system that’s fast, reliable, and available wherever your people are working from. If it’s not, you’re just asking for trouble.
How many dashboards are you juggling?
If you need a dozen monitors just to keep an eye on everything, something’s not right. A good SASE solution should make your life easier, not harder. Look for something that gives you one place to manage everything—one dashboard, one set of policies, one way to investigate issues. The simpler, the better.
Can it scale up with your growth?
Your business isn’t standing still, so your network can’t either. You need to know if the SASE solution can scale up as you add more users, more locations, or more data. Can it handle sudden spikes in traffic? How easy is it to add new features or expand coverage?
These questions should help you get a good sense of whether a SASE solution is right for your business. Remember, it’s not just about the tech specs – it’s about how well it fits your specific needs and challenges.
SASE vs SSE: A Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) | SSE (Secure Service Edge) |
| Focus | Network Security & Access | Cloud Application Security |
| Scope | Broader – Networking and Security | Narrower – Focuses on securing access to cloud applications |
| Components | SD-WAN (Optional), CASB, ZTNA, SWG, FWaaS | Primarily CASB, ZTNA, SWG (limited) |
| Deployment Model | Cloud-delivered | Cloud-delivered |
| Management | Centralized console for all security and networking functions | Manages security for cloud applications |
| User Connectivity | Connects users to any application or resource, on-premises or cloud | Connects users specifically to cloud applications |
| Security Approach | Zero Trust – verifies every user and device | Zero Trust – often integrated with SASE for cloud application access |
| Benefits | – Improved performance & security – Simplified management – Scalability & flexibility | – Enhanced cloud application security – Reduced complexity |
| Ideal for | Organizations with hybrid or remote workforces, complex security needs | Organizations primarily focused on securing cloud applications |
Final Words
The traditional security model is crumbling under the weight of a dispersed workforce and cloud-based everything. A data breach is no longer a “what if,” it’s a “when.” SASE offers a lifeline, a way to secure your organization before it’s too late. Don’t wait for disaster to strike. Start exploring SASE today and take control of your security posture. The future of work is here, and it demands a future-proof security solution. Act now, before it’s too late.
