SASE, or Secure Access Service Edge, is a new security model that is gaining popularity in the world of networking and cybersecurity. There are a number of SASE benefits that organizations can take advantage of. A SASE architecture combines traditional network security with the flexibility and scalability of the cloud to provide a more comprehensive security solution for modern organizations.

In this blog, we will introduce SASE and why it is becoming the go-to security model for businesses of all sizes.

What is the SASE Architecture?

At its core, the SASE architecture is a network architecture that combines various network and security functions, such as SD-WAN, Domain Name System (DNS), Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), Secure Web Gateways (SWG), Cloud Access Service Broker (CASB), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and more into a single cloud-based service. It allows organizations to secure their network and data without the need for multiple security products and appliances.

One of the key SASE benefits is its flexibility. It is designed to support remote and distributed workforces, allowing employees to access company resources from anywhere, on any device, without the need for a physical connection to the corporate network. This is particularly useful in today's world, where remote work has become the norm for many organizations. SASE also allows businesses to customize their networking and security solutions to meet their specific needs. This includes the ability to choose from a variety of deployment options, including hybrid, cloud-only, and on-premises, depending on the needs of the organization.

Another of the critical SASE benefits is its scalability. As businesses continue to grow and evolve, their networking and security needs will change as well. With SASE, it's easy to scale up or down as needed, without the need to invest in additional hardware or infrastructure. This can save businesses significant time and money, as they won't have to worry about constantly upgrading and reconfiguring their networking and security systems.

How Does The SASE Architecture Work?

In a SASE architecture, networking and security functions are delivered as a service from the cloud, rather than being implemented on hardware devices located at the network edge. This allows organizations to scale their networking and security infrastructure on demand and reduces the need for complex and costly hardware deployments.

SASE works by creating a secure connection between your users and your organization's resources, regardless of location or device. It uses a secure connection via SD-WAN, to connect the user to the SASE platform.

When a user attempts to access company resources, the SASE architecture analyzes the request and determines whether it is appropriate or not, per an organization’s security policy. If the request is deemed appropriate, it is allowed through and the user is granted access to the requested resources. If the request is deemed inappropriate per security policy, it is blocked and the user is rejected access and/or requires exceptions. This process occurs in real-time, ensuring that the organization's network and data are protected at all times. The user's traffic is encrypted and secured throughout the entire journey so their data stays safe.

The SASE platform also includes various networking services, which help to improve the performance and reliability of the connection. A few examples of these services include:

• Network application optimization – Improve bandwidth and connectivity issues by applying monitoring, caching, compression algorithms, protocol optimization, and more.

• Improved network performance visibility – Leverage centralized visibility to identify performance bottlenecks more efficiently and proactively resolve issues before they affect your end-users.

• Application-aware routing – Route traffic based on SLA and application profiles to automatically sent traffic to wide area network (WAN) links that have the required network characteristics and path conditions to support these applications in real-time.

• Enhanced reliability – Optimize traffic flows by taking advantage of redundant and reliable cloud connectivity to major SaaS vendors.

• SD-WAN - Control connectivity, management, and services among data centers, remote branches, and cloud instances while reducing WAN costs. Leverage a software-defined approach to managing your WAN that enables transport independence to securely connect users to multiple network locations. Related: Software-Defined WANs Drive Strong Network Security Postures All the Way to the Edge

More information on the SASE components can be found here.

Why is SASE Becoming So Popular?

There are several reasons why SASE is becoming the go-to network and security architecture for businesses of all sizes.

Traditional networking and security solutions require multiple technologies to be deployed and configured separately, which can be complex and time-consuming. SASE simplifies this process by providing everything in one place, making it easier to deploy and manage.

Additionally, SASE allows for distributed decision making, which means that security policies and controls can be enforced at the edge of the network, closer to the user. This allows for more granular control and faster response times.

In addition to these SASE benefits, the architecture also offers a number of security-specific advantages. With its ability to provide secure access to resources from anywhere in the world, SASE can help businesses reduce the risk of data breaches, ransomware and malware attacks, and other security threats.

Another key benefit of SASE is its ability to optimize network performance and reduce network latency. Until recently, most businesses required that employees work out of a central office. Thus, security architects would deploy network security tools within the confines of the corporate local area network (LAN). Deploying network security tools directly on the local LAN brought security services in line with the natural flow of network data between end-users and the applications and data they were accessing.

Looking at branch office and remote users, however, the traffic flow looks different when it comes to accessing applications and data in public clouds. In these situations, branch and remote user traffic must first be backhauled to the corporate LAN, then out to the internet where the cloud services reside. The reason for the backhaul is because the data flows must first be processed/analyzed and cleared by the organization’s network security tools. Backhauling remote traffic obviously creates sub-optimal paths from a network perspective that can add latency to internet-bound communications.

With SASE, network security tools are migrated away from private data center deployments into the public cloud and abstracted via a virtual overlay/tunnel. Upon implementation, all users, regardless of physical location, have the same access and network flow efficiency. By reducing network latency, SASE can help businesses provide a better user experience for their employees and customers, improving productivity and satisfaction.

Conclusion

There are a numerous and diverse amount of SASE benefits that your organization can take advantage of. SASE simplifies networking and security for businesses, provides a consistent and secure user experience, is highly scalable and flexible, and offers advanced security features. With these benefits in mind, it's clear that enterprises should strongly consider implementing SASE technologies.

For companies looking to implement SASE, look no further than Burwood Group. With our team of experienced professionals, proven track record of success, and relationships with best-in-class SASE providers, Burwood can help businesses develop a roadmap for implementation to help you achieve long-term growth.

In addition to our technical expertise, Burwood also offers a full range of services designed to help businesses fully leverage the benefits of SASE. From strategy and planning to implementation, managed services, and support, Burwood Group has the resources and knowledge to guide companies every step of the way.

Contact Burwood Group today and take the first step towards a brighter, more secure future for your business.

January 19, 2023