As businesses evolve, legacy cyber security systems can not provide the level of security and access control that organizations need. Today, 85% of organizations see data as their most valuable asset.1 Consequently, businesses seek new, more effective cyber security frameworks to counter increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks.
Since the pandemic, there has been a steep rise in the number of software as a service (SaaS) applications and remote users. As a result, more and more data is moving toward the cloud, and more traffic is directed toward the public cloud and branch offices compared to data centers. Therefore, modern cloud-centric businesses looking to secure their enterprise must focus more on individual user identity, devices, and assessors rather than data center security. Secure access service edge (SASE) is precisely a step in this direction.
What Is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)?
SASE is an emerging cyber security concept that inspects traffic from user devices at a nearby point of presence and sends it to its destination. It eliminates data center security reliance and enables immediate and uninterrupted access to enterprise resources with the utmost security. This makes a SASE solution a better option for protecting distributed workforces and data in the cloud. Gartner defines it as a cybersecurity solution with “comprehensive WAN capabilities with comprehensive network security functions (such as SWG, CASB, FWaaS, and ZTNA) to support the dynamic, secure access needs of digital enterprises.”2
Here are five components of SASE solutions that make the technology a robust and dependable cloud-delivered platform for growing businesses.
SASE vs Traditional Network Security: Why SASE Is Better?
SASE enhances security over traditional network security models by integrating multiple cloud-based security functions into a single framework. Here’s how it improves security:
Eliminates The Need For Backhauling Traffic
Traditional security models route traffic through a centralized data center, creating latency and bottlenecks.
SASE distributes security enforcement at cloud-based points of presence (PoPs) or edge locations, securing traffic closer to the user and reducing latency.
✅ Benefit: Users get secure access to applications with improved speed and performance.
Zero Trust Access Control
Traditional security models rely on perimeter-based security, assuming inside the network = trusted and outside = untrusted (which is outdated).
SASE implements Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), which enforces identity-based security. Every request is verified using multi-factor authentication (MFA), device posture assessment, and least privilege access.
✅ Benefit: Prevents lateral movement of attackers inside the network.
Cloud-Native Security For SaaS & Remote Workforces
Traditional security models struggle to secure cloud applications (SaaS, IaaS) and remote users, leading to gaps in protection.
SASE is cloud-first and user-centric, securing SaaS applications, IaaS platforms, and remote employees without VPN dependency.
✅ Benefit: Continuous security for remote, hybrid, and on-premises users.
Integrated Security Services Reduce Complexity
Traditional networks require multiple standalone security appliances like firewalls, VPNs, proxies, and CASBs.
SASE integrates multiple security functions into a single cloud-based platform, reducing complexity and operational overhead.
Security Services Included in SASE:
- Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) - Monitors and controls cloud app usage.
- Secure Web Gateway (SWG) - Protects against malware, phishing, and web-based threats.
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) - Grants access based on identity, not IP addresses.
- Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) - Cloud-based firewall for network security.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) - Prevents unauthorized data transfers.
✅ Benefit: Fewer security gaps, simplified management, and improved visibility.
Better Protection Against Evolving Cyber Threats
Traditional models rely on static, perimeter-based defenses that struggle to keep up with evolving cyber threats.
SASE uses real-time threat intelligence, AI-driven security analytics, and behavioral analysis to detect and stop advanced threats like zero-day attacks, ransomware, phishing, and insider threats.
✅ Benefit: Adaptive security that continuously evolves against new cyber threats.
Secure Edge Computing & IoT
Traditional network security struggles to protect IoT and edge devices, often requiring on-premise security appliances.
SASE secures IoT, edge devices, and mobile users without hardware dependencies, using cloud-native security and AI-driven anomaly detection.
✅ Benefit: Protects distributed IoT and edge environments without performance trade-offs.
5 Key Components Of SASE For Secure Networking
1. SD-WAN
Software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) is a virtual architecture that enables threat protection, routing, and simplified WAN network management for distributed hybrid IT environments. One of its key features includes managing and optimizing performance across multiple connection types, ranging from broadband to LTE to even MPLS.
SD-WAN helps with network security by increasing the performance of on-premise services with direct access to cloud platforms and offering administrators granular network management opportunities.
2. FWaaS
Firewall as a service (FWaaS) with next-generation firewall capabilities (NGFW) provides advanced threat protection by combining traffic inspection and threat prevention. It helps organizations simplify their architecture and block unauthorized users from accessing the network.
IT administrators can set custom access criteria and implement very specific security policies. For example, they can set up different access rules for those inside and outside the network and allow or block URLs, IP addresses, or even geographical areas.
FWaaS is different from a physical firewall because it works seamlessly with other cloud applications, making it an essential addition to a custom, cloud-friendly enterprise security system.
3. Zero-Trust Network Access
ZTNA is a holistic approach to network security. It works on several principles and technologies to provide remote users seamless and secure access to internal applications. The zero-trust framework eliminates intrinsic trust, grants least privileged access, and maintains granular policies.
It enables secure access without placing users on the network or exposing enterprise applications on the internet. It minimizes the attack surface on a network by maintaining strict access policies and constantly monitoring and validating the devices on the network.
4. CASB
A cloud access security broker (CASB) is an on-premise or cloud-based gatekeeper that sits between the cloud service consumer and provider. A CASB ensures that the network traffic complies with the company policies and data privacy regulations whenever cloud-residing data is accessed.
In addition, the CASB also conducts comprehensive threat and risk assessments to prevent malware, bad actors, and external determinants from exploiting enterprise resources. It serves as a policy enforcement center and secures cloud applications hosted in public clouds (IaaS), private clouds, and software as a service (SaaS).
5. SWG
Secure web gateway (SWG) filters internet-bound traffic to protect an organization’s internal data. It provides advanced network protection by using web traffic inspection to keep users away from malicious web content and applications, internet-borne viruses, vulnerable websites, malware, and similar cyber threats.
SWG has a multi-layered architecture comprising many essential security features, including app control, URL filtration, HTTPS inspection, DLP, and antivirus. It allows users to connect wherever they may be while enforcing company security policies simultaneously.
Why SASE Is The Future Of Enterprise Security?
Digital transformation requires businesses to incorporate agile solutions with greater scope for scalability. SASE consists of all the necessary tools and features you need for secure access and seamless networking. With all these appliances combined into a single solution and centralized control, you can ensure the usability and integrity of your data and networks like never before.
Find The Right SASE Solution For Your Business With CommQuotes
CommQuotes helps you determine the optimal way to implement a complete SASE solution and will help you find the best-fit solution for your unique business. With our vendor-agnostic approach, we’ll help you source only the most applicable, impactful, and feasible integrations to your IT infrastructure. Our expert insights are based on deep industry experience, so you can rest assured that the SASE solution you choose will give you everything you need to ensure network security – and nothing you don’t.
Reach out to us for expert, agnostic advice on finding the perfect SASE solution for your business.
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