Secure Access Service Edge – The Future of Network Security

Secure Access Service Edge - The Future of Network Security-01

By combining network and security services into one, SASE has shown to be an effective solution to address the shifting enterprise network perimeter

As illustrated by the Kaseya, Colonial Pipeline, and SolarWinds attacks earlier this year, the security threat landscape is quickly becoming sophisticated. A single cyber-attack can bring an organization’s operations to a halt, given the pace of digital transformation in today’s business.

The expansion of the corporate network, which provides more attack vectors than ever before, is adding to the growing threats. The proliferation of connected devices, and the popularity of cloud, IoT, and edge computing – any of which can operate as possible entry points into an organization’s network – is becoming increasingly difficult to secure. It’s no surprise that IT teams are finding it increasingly challenging to keep company data secure, given the forced shift to hybrid work environments and the usage of personal devices for professional tasks.

While all of this paints a bleak picture, the good news is that network security protections are adapting to meet these challenges as well. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), is emerging as an effective way to target the shifting enterprise network perimeter by combining network and security services.

Data from IoT and edge apps had to travel great distances to corporate data centers to execute security functions in legacy network architectures. SASE eliminates latency by providing SD-WAN and security as a cloud service at the point of connection, allowing secure data to travel faster to its destination. Whether users are remote, or in the office, this approach ensures a secure environment.

SASE can minimize WAN deployment complexity, enhance efficiency and security, give IT more control and visibility over security configurations, and help customers with zero trust information security efforts by expanding on existing security defenses. SASE enforces security regulations regardless of user location to meet today’s flexible environment, and as new risks surface, the service provider can quickly handle them without requiring new hardware.

Also Read: Advanced Security Challenges in Multi-Cloud Settings

According to “Top Actions From Gartner Hype Cycle for Cloud Security, 2020,” by 2024, at least 40% of all businesses will have strategies to adopt SASE.

If businesses are thinking of adopting SASE, they should consider the following:

Before committing to SASE, think about what is already in place

SASE offers the best of both worlds by combining managed network and security services into a single simplified offering. However, some critical components, such as SD-WAN or firewall-as-a-service, may already be in place, and enterprises should be able to leverage their existing investments. Anyone who advises businesses to rip and replace or start from the ground up should be challenged.

Think of the cloud strategy and footprint

Because SASE is delivered as close to the edge as possible, it involves a significant commitment in “cloudifying” the business. Of course, if they, like most organizations, have a hybrid or remote workforce, cloud is the only/best option for connecting and securing their workforce, data and application. SASE and the disruptions brought on by the pandemic could be the justification needed to push digital transformation across the organization.

Don’t get taken in by the SASE hype

SASE offers a wide range of benefits, however, as with other emerging technologies, many of the services are incomplete and cannot be delivered to meet all expectations overnight.

Because these security features are tightly integrated into the network, organizations won’t need to replace their existing SD-WAN network to start reaping the benefits of SASE. As the next generation of network security, SASE can help organizations simplify security requirements no matter where they are on their digital transformation path.

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