If your organization has an underperforming network, it can result in poor network connectivity and cause security issues.
Poor network connectivity and weak security can lead to high latency issues that result in decreased employee productivity and network vulnerabilities that contribute to cyberattacks that can cost your organization hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair your network.
For this reason, reliable network connectivity and strong security should be a top priority for all organizations to avoid the consequences of poor network connectivity and security.
Fortunately, there are many solutions that organizations can choose from that improve network performance and security. However, it can be difficult to find the right solution for your organization as a result.
Coeo understands how important reliable network connectivity and security are to an organization and has delivered thousands of solutions to organizations to improve their network performance and security and help them avoid cyberattacks.
By the end of this article, you will understand what SASE is, how SASE combines multiple networking and security services into its solution, and if SASE is the right fit for your organization.
What is SASE?
SASE is a cybersecurity network that provides cloud-based network security.
Typically, a SASE solution combines an SD-WAN solution with enhanced security to provide an all-in-one cloud-based network solution that improves network connectivity and security.
SASE identifies users and devices in the cloud network and applies policy-based security rules resulting in secure access to data regardless of where users are connecting from or what devices they are using.
Because SASE is installed on user devices, it provides constant security across a network no matter where the network is being accessed from.
This enables data to be securely delivered directly to a connection source instead of having to be sent to a data center to be monitored and inspected.
If you would like to speak with our team to learn more about SASE or ask any questions you may have you can schedule an appointment.
How SASE combines multiple networking and security services into one solution
SASE is a unique technology that can improve network connectivity and security with a single solution. There are many different components that make up a SASE solution including:
Cloud-based architecture
One of the main components of a SASE solution is its cloud-based architecture. SASE delivers cloud-based network services to improve network connectivity and security.
This approach eliminates the need for on-premise hardware appliances for improved scalability and flexibility.
Integrating network connectivity with security
SASE integrates network connectivity and security into one solution. The seamless integration of WAN capabilities with various advanced security services creates a unified platform that improves connectivity and security.
SD-WAN
Most SASE solutions integrate SD-WAN technology to connect multiple locations over different geographic areas over a WAN.
SD-WAN enables you to optimize and manage your network by providing efficient and dynamic traffic routing over multiple connections.
Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
Secure Web Gateway (SWG) is another component that can be integrated into a SASE solution. SWG is a type of SSE solution that provides security for users accessing the internet.
SWGs secure users by filtering content, enforcing policies, and inspecting web traffic for malicious software and other threats.
URL and content filtering, Data Loss Prevention (DLP), and malware detection are all security services that SWGs provide.
SWG ensures users are not downloading malicious content from websites and are not accessing websites that would negatively impact employee productivity such as Netflix or YouTube.
Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)
Another component of SASE is Firewall as a Service (FWaaS). FWaaS is a cloud-based firewall that provides network security functions such as traffic inspection.
This solution enables your organization to deploy, manage, and scale firewall security without the need for expensive on-premise hardware and infrastructure resulting in a lesser cost and increased flexibility.
Since it is a cloud-based solution, FWaaS enables you to secure your network from any location no matter what device is accessing the network.
This makes it a more appropriate technology for a remote work environment because it can secure employees working from anywhere. FWaaS delivers more capabilities than traditional firewall services for more in-depth security.
For example, instead of offering only the network traffic inspection that traditional firewalls include, FWaaS also provides next-gen firewall capabilities such as intrusion prevention and detection and URL filtering.
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
Another component of SASE is Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). ZTNA is a security method that requires verification from any device looking to access resources on a network.
ZTNA is a technology that fixes some of the shortcomings of the perimeter-based network security model such as firewalls that protect the edge of your network and differentiate data between trusted and untrusted users.
To protect against networks that have been compromised, ZTNA takes the approach that every network is untrusted.
ZTNA assumes that the network is a fundamentally insecure place and uses principles like Role Based Access Control (RBAC), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) (link to article), and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) to add more robust security.
If you need to have access to a network resource, ZTNA can use location and devices as part of a model to authenticate access or identify actions. However, it typically uses RBAC controls and authentication with MFA to grant access to the network.
Is SASE the right fit for your organization?
Now you understand what SASE is and how SASE combines multiple networking and security services into one solution. However, it is also important to determine whether SASE is the best choice for your organization.
If your organization has a poor-performing network that causes high latency issues and creates network vulnerabilities, a SASE solution may be a good choice to address these issues.
If you are looking for a cloud-based network infrastructure that allows you to manage and maintain your entire network through one portal, a SASE solution may be the right fit for your organization.
Relative to many solutions, SASE will also deliver more advanced security services to ensure your network and data are safe
However, if your organization already has reliable network connectivity and security, a SASE solution may not be the right fit for your organization.
Determining whether SASE is the right fit for your organization
Now you know what SASE is, how it combines multiple networking and security services into one solution, and whether it is the best choice for your organization. This will help you determine if your organization should invest in a SASE solution.
Organizations can’t afford to have a poor-performing network that leads to poor network connectivity and vulnerabilities that can decrease employee productivity and contribute to cyberattacks that can cost your organization hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair.
These consequences make reliable network performance a priority for all organizations. However, there are many network solutions available on the market making it difficult to determine which solution is the right fit for your organization.
Understanding what SASE is and how it combines multiple networking and security services into one solution can help you determine whether it is right for your organization.
Coeo understands how important reliable network performance is to an organization and has delivered thousands of solutions to organizations to improve network connectivity and security and help them avoid cyberattacks.
We want you to understand what SASE is and how it combines multiple networking and security services into one solution so you can determine if SASE is a good fit for your organization.
If you would like to speak with our team to learn more about SASE or ask any questions you may have you can schedule an appointment.
Now that you understand what SASE is and how it combines multiple networking and security services into one solution, check out this article to learn about the relationship between SD-WAN and SASE:
