Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is an architectural framework that converges network and security services into a single, cloud-delivered platform.
The Challenge (Pre-SASE):
→ Complex Network: The company had a traditional hub-and-spoke network. Stores connected to regional data centers via MPLS lines, and regional offices connected to headquarters. This was expensive and difficult to manage.
→ Inconsistent Security: Each location had its own firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other security appliances, leading to inconsistent security policies and management overhead.
→ Poor Cloud Access: As the company moved applications to the cloud (e.g., CRM, inventory management), users experienced slow performance due to traffic being backhauled to the data center for security inspection before going to the cloud.
→ Remote Work Challenges: Supporting remote workers was difficult. They had to connect via VPN, which often slowed down access to applications and created security vulnerabilities.
The SASE Solution:
The company implemented a SASE solution, which provided the following:
→Simplified Network: MPLS lines were replaced with local internet connections at each store and office. SASE's SD-WAN capabilities optimized traffic routing over these connections, ensuring reliable and performant access to applications.
→ Cloud-Delivered Security: All security functions (firewall as a service (FWaaS), secure web gateway (SWG), cloud access security broker (CASB), zero trust network access (ZTNA)) were delivered from the cloud via a global network of points of presence (POPs). This provided consistent security policies across all locations and users.
→ Optimized Cloud Access: Traffic destined for cloud applications was routed directly to the nearest SASE POP, bypassing the data center and significantly improving performance.
→ Secure Remote Access: Remote workers connected directly to the SASE cloud service, which verified their identity and applied appropriate security policies, regardless of their location. This eliminated the need for complex VPN configurations and improved security.
A) Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): While ZTNA enhances security by enforcing strict access controls, it primarily focuses on access management and does not encompass the full range of network and security functions that SASE provides.
B) Deploying a cloud-based Secure Web Gateway (SWG) combined with a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): This option addresses specific security needs but involves multiple separate components, which can complicate management and integration compared to the unified approach of SASE.
D) Utilizing a Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN): SD-WAN optimizes network connectivity, especially for branch offices, but it primarily focuses on network performance and does not inherently provide the comprehensive security features that SASE offers.