Ensuring that your hybrid workforce is secure has become the priority for organisations. Traditional security applications were not built with cloud-safety in mind. Here comes SASE providing connectivity and security for your remote employees. Let’s see what it is and how it works.
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a cloud architecture model that integrates network and security-as-a-service functions into a single cloud service. Conceptually, SASE extends networking and security capabilities beyond traditional boundaries. This allows remote workers to benefit from firewall as a service (FWaaS), secure web gateway (SWG), zero-trust network access (ZTNA), and a variety of threat detection functions.
The term SASE (pronounced “sassy”) was first described by Gartner in an August 2019 report called, “The Future of Network Security in the Cloud.” It is designed the address the needs of highly distributed and cloud-dependent work environments.
When effectively implemented, a SASE approach ensures secure access for businesses regardless of the location of their users, workloads, devices, or applications. This is crucial for maintaining the security of remote workers. With the rapid adoption of SaaS (Software as a Service) applications and the swift movement of data across data centres, branch offices, and hybrid– and multi-cloud environments, SASE facilitates safe browsing and secure access to both corporate and SaaS applications from any location.
SASE offers:
Enhanced Security
Improved Performance
Simplified Management
Scalability
Cost Efficiency
2. Secure Web Gateway (SWG): An SWG filters and blocks harmful web traffic to protect data and prevent cyber threats. It’s useful for securing remote and hybrid work environments.
3. Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): A CASB helps keep data secure when using cloud services and applications by providing visibility and control over these services.
4. Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN) or WAN-as-a-Service (WANaaS): These technologies connect and manage operations across large distances.
5. Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW): An NGFW provides advanced security by inspecting data more deeply than traditional firewalls. It can identify and block hidden threats and can be deployed in the cloud as a service.
Security Service Edge (SSE) is a cloud-based security service that ensures safe browsing, secure access to private applications, and SaaS applications. It includes:
2. Secure Web Gateway (SWG): Monitors and secures web activity, enforcing safe browsing with features like data loss prevention, SSL inspection, and URL filtering.
3. Zero-Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Offers secure remote access to specific applications and services based on strict access control policies, unlike VPNs which grant access to entire networks.
4. Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): Manages and secures the use of cloud services by setting and enforcing policies, either by controlling application access or checking content in cloud apps.
So how does SASE differ from SSE?
SASE includes components such as SD-WAN, SWG, CASB, NGFW, and ZTNA. Its purpose is to integrate secure access into the network architecture, ensuring zero trust access based on identity and context. Sometimes, Forrester refers to it as “Zero Trust Edge” (ZTE).
On the other hand, SSE is a subset of SASE that primarily focuses on securing access to web, cloud services, and private applications. It may also include additional capabilities like Remote Browser Isolation (RBI), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), and Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM).
The key differences between SASE and SSE are in their scope and deployment. SASE covers a broader range of network and security functions, while SSE specifically focuses on security aspects. Your organisation might start with SSE to address immediate security needs and later expand to a full SASE deployment.
So, SSE can work as a stepping stone towards SASE deployment but if you don’t need a full SASE deployment you can use individual SASE components.
Syn-Star can help you ensure that your business is as safe as possible. Click the button to download our FREE IT Security Checklist.
Agnes Molnar
Agnes is Syn-Star’s expert content writer, she has Master’s degree in English Literature that provides a strong foundation in writing and critical thinking of everything she does.
Qualifications: Masters in English Literature
In-house training: HubSpot SEO, WordPress Training.
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Agnes Molnar
Agnes is Syn-Star’s expert content writer, she has Master’s degree in English Literature that provides a strong foundation in writing and critical thinking of everything she does.
Qualifications: Masters in English Literature
In-house training: HubSpot SEO, WordPress Training.
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