Top 10 Benefits of SASE
Secure Access Service Edge has become the most popular architecture in the cloud computing market. Even some people love to call this framework sassy as it offers pretty good features and lots of benefits to businesses. Before listing the top 10 benefits of SASE, let us briefly explain what is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architecture.
What Is SASE?
SASE is a cloud-native architecture that combines security and networking features together and operates as a service in the cloud. By implementing this architecture businesses can have centralized security in the cloud. Under this framework, there are five components. These core components are SD-WAN as service, Secure Web Gateway (SGW), Firewall as Service (FWaaS), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).
But, businesses can implement any additional security tools to this framework. Simply put, SASE enables edge-to-edge cloud security and secure remote access while keeping on-premise devices safe from any cyber-attacks. Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 benefits of SASE.
1- Reduced Cost
Investing in legacy technologies, and depending on hardware-based security tools are out-of-date and really expensive. Additionally, to maintain overall security across the enterprise, businesses are required to work with several different vendors, at the end of the day, this creates a disjointed security setup that is expensive to sustain. So, SASE implementation can create an aligned security setup for businesses and it can save a lot of resources, and time. Lastly, it reduces the cost of cyber security spending.
2- Secure Remote Access
Nowadays, secure remote access to cloud-based resources is more important than ever. In fact, with the increasing number of remote employees, and cloud usage, SASE solutions have become a necessity. With the SD-WAN technology, SASE solutions can enable secure remote access to employees. Additionally, SD-WAN technology directly connects employees to the cloud resources they need regardless of their locations.
3- Easy to Manage and Maintain
Once the SASE framework is integrated into a business’s existing infrastructure, IT admins can control and manage the complete system from a single place. SASE architecture is easy to use and manage. Additionally, SASE solutions are aligned with a business’s growth, and network growth doesn’t add any complexity to controllability, and management.
4- Reduced Admin Times and Resources
Legacy technologies often require hardware updates, patches, maintenance tasks, etc. These maintenance works consume a lot of time of IT staff, and resources. With cloud-native SASE solutions, the complexity of networks decreases noticeably. In short, maintenance of the SASE framework requires less admin time and resources than its counterpart legacy technologies.
5- Edge to Edge Security
SASE offers holistic and granular security as all of its individual components operate simultaneously. SASE solutions enable a simplified way to secure corporate WAN or any other traditional network infrastructures. By implementing SASE, businesses can have improved network security and safeguard all edge points within the cloud perimeter, and corporate WAN. In short, the SASE framework provides enhanced protection and wider visibility of the business’ network edge.
6- Simplified Security Architecture
Legacy technologies are no longer effective to protect cloud assets and remote workforce. Additionally, these technologies often require a lot of updates to cope with modern-day challenges and threats. Even if businesses try to keep their legacy infrastructures, these technologies won’t be able to keep up with the latest technological capabilities of cloud-based security solutions.
On the other hand, SASE offers multi-layer security for both cloud assets and on-premise devices. For instance, the Firewall as Service (FWaaS) component includes features like URL filtering, Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS), and anti-malware, and it protects all edge points inside the cloud perimeter. SASE solutions enable simplified security architecture for businesses.
7- Improved Data Protection
In today’s world, all sizes of businesses are obligated to safeguard sensitive data which they are collecting, storing, and sharing. In this regard, SASE offers Data Loss Prevention (DLP) which automates DLP processes to safeguard sensitive data. These processes consist of the discovery and classification of data in transit, data storage locations, and data in use. Additionally, DLP processes require employees and devices to authenticate their identities before accessing sensitive data. With the SASE framework, businesses can have improved data protection against cyber attacks.
8- Increased Network Performance
SASE framework offers increased network performance. For instance, whenever an employee requests access to cloud resources, SD-WAN technology finds the best routes, and paths for optimum performance, and directly connects this employee to the resources he needs regardless of his geo-location. Additionally, inside the cloud-perimeter, Secure Web Gateway (SGW) distributes all user-generated traffic, meanwhile, Firewall as Service (FWaaS), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) monitor, and analyzes all data flow. So, SASE solutions offer the ability to analyze and increase network performance.
9- Greater Network Visibility
SASE solutions provide greater visibility and control across the corporate networks. The Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) component allows businesses to see who is accessing which data, when, and where. With Zero Trust capabilities, SASE can limit and control employees’ access to corporate networks and resources. Additionally, ZTNA includes real-time behavior monitoring capabilities, which makes it easier to detect suspicious and abnormal activities, so that IT admins can respond to these threats immediately.
10- Fully Integrated Security and Routing
SASE unifies security and networking features as a service in the cloud. All SASE components operate simultaneously which creates fully integrated and aligned security and networking setup. Additionally, businesses can add any required security tools into the SASE architecture, and improve the functionality, and capabilities of SASE.
Routing integration makes businesses’ traffic secure, encrypted, and appropriately routed. By implementing the SASE framework, businesses can have enhanced security across corporate networks, cloud-based resources, and on-premise infrastructures.
Last Words
In today’s world, most businesses are dependent on cloud services, and legacy technologies can’t maintain enhanced security in these environments. Additionally, work-from-home models increase the security risks associated with cyber attacks. To cope with these modern challenges and maintain complete security in all corporate assets, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is the best solution in the cloud-computing market.
