What does SASE mean?

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a network architecture that combines network security functions with wide-area networking capabilities to support the dynamic secure access needs of organizations. SASE integrates software-defined wide-area networking (SD-WAN) with network security functions like secure web gateways, cloud access security brokers, firewall as a service, and zero trust network access to provide a comprehensive, cloud-native security solution for the modern enterprise.

SASE addresses the challenges faced by organizations in securing their networks and data in the era of digital transformation, cloud adoption, remote work, and the proliferation of mobile devices. Traditional network security approaches, which rely on securing the network perimeter with firewalls and VPNs, are no longer sufficient to protect organizations from sophisticated cyber threats and ensure secure access to cloud applications and services.

By converging networking and security functions in a unified cloud-native architecture, SASE simplifies network and security management, improves visibility and control over network traffic, and enhances the user experience by providing secure and optimized access to applications and services from any location and device. SASE enables organizations to adopt a zero trust security model, where access to resources is granted based on identity, device security posture, and contextual factors, rather than relying on network location or perimeter defenses.

Key components of a SASE architecture include:

1. SD-WAN: Provides optimized connectivity and application performance by dynamically routing traffic over multiple transport links based on quality of service requirements and network conditions.

2. Secure Web Gateway (SWG): Inspects and filters web traffic to protect against malware, phishing, and other web-based threats, and enforces security policies to control access to web applications.

3. Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): Monitors and controls access to cloud applications and services to prevent data leakage, enforce compliance with security policies, and protect sensitive data in the cloud.

4. Firewall as a Service (FWaaS): Provides network security functions like firewalling, intrusion prevention, and data loss prevention as a cloud-based service to protect against network-based threats and unauthorized access.

5. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Enforces least-privilege access controls and micro-segmentation to secure access to applications and services based on user identity, device security posture, and contextual factors.

In conclusion, SASE represents a paradigm shift in how organizations design and implement their network and security infrastructure to meet the evolving demands of the digital age. By adopting a SASE architecture, organizations can improve their security posture, enhance network performance and reliability, and enable secure access to applications and services for their users, regardless of their location or device.