Everyone talks about how great SASE is and how it can help you protect your organization online. While it is true that SASE is probably the best cybersecurity framework currently out there, you need to put a lot of thought into it before implementing it. Every security service or framework needs a pros and cons list, after all, nothing is without flaws.
We did you a favor and took SASE beyond the hype; we explained the real and solid business benefits of the framework. Before doing that, we also defined SASE at its very core and told you how it works and what it consists of. Let’s jump in to see anything you need about SASE.
What is SASE?
If we were to explain SASE with the simplest terms possible; it is the combination of network security and network connectivity services. This means that in a SASE architecture, network connectivity (SD-WAN) and network security (Zero Trust, FWaaS, CASB) work together to create a single, easy manager structure.
When understanding SASE, it is crucial to know that SASE is not actually a product in itself. Yes, there are various providers online who offer SASE, but this doesn’t mean that it is a single product. As we said above, SASE converges a variety of network services. These vendors usually work with you to see which services you need in your own SASE and provide the necessary ones to you.
Another quality of the SASE framework is the ability to operate in the cloud; if you realized, all the services we just mentioned are cloud operated and they are free from geographical restrictions. This means that you can use SASE to ensure edge-to-edge security regardless of location.
When you wonder why SASE is talked about this much, it is probably the agility and protection offered to remote users who can work from anywhere. SASE is designed to overcome network security challenges such as location, having to deal with several structures, or simply the cost of expensive hardware.
Business benefits of SASE
SASE is definitely hyped, and don’t get us wrong, it’s worth the hype for the most part. But unless you understand how exactly SASE can help you out with your business, you might not realize its real importance. So we advise you to take a look at the following reasons why SASE is a great security framework for your business.
1-) Reduced complexity
SASE is one of the easiest ways to ensure the network security of organizations. Normally, you would need several security and connectivity services acquired from a variety of providers.
But no more, because SASE offers a way out from the complex security systems by gathering all into a single architecture. All of the services included can be provided by one vendor. For example, if you were to choose NordLayer as SASE provider, you would only need their services to ensure bulletproof security.
2-) Lower costs
Every organization needs cybersecurity, but not every organization has the huge budget to spend on expensive hardware or to run their own security infrastructure with a dedicated IT security team. They need a way to protect their networks without breaking their banks.
That’s why SASE is a great option for small-budgeted companies. You can subscribe to any SASE provider with low prices, and they will take care of all the maintenance and even go above and beyond by providing technical support. Not to mention you don’t need hardware or different subscriptions for each service.
3-) Faster connection
When your whole network is connected and at the same time protected with a single platform, a framework, you can expect lower latency and faster connections. This is one of the beauties of SASE as it can provide the fastest connection possible, of course with a well-known and experienced provider.
If you implement the latest security and connectivity services to your SASE architecture, your employees will enjoy working without that annoying latency or lagging of their systems. This will reflect positively on your business.
4-) Edge to edge security
As we explained before, SASE aims to connect a network in a secure way, using the latest security services available. Since this service uses SD-WAN as a part of it, it can utilize WAN optimizations to provide a better and stronger network. Simply put, this framework brings security to the doorsteps of the end-users, which guarantees edge-to-edge security regardless of location.
To better explain, SASE connects a network with its users and secures the connection using services such as Zero Trust and FWaaS, meaning that users have robust security from wherever they connect. This will allow you to utilize the remote work model and let you cut down operational costs.
5-) Maximum visibility over networks
Understanding how and what users access on a private network is key when it comes to network security. If you cannot locate and monitor what they do exactly, you will most likely suffer from consequences that will harm your business.
Since SASE’s security protocols connect with SD-WAN, IT security teams can easily understand what their users access so they can fine-tune it. Services such as ZTNA allow these teams to have granular control over their networks and they can implement personal access permissions to mitigate risks and avoid security gaps.
Conclusion
SASE is one of the best things that can happen to your company, but there is a lot of hype going on without the facts. You need to learn the facts and business benefits of SASE before implementing it.
It is a great security framework with incredible advantages such as cutting down security costs, enabling secure remote work, providing faster connection and edge-to-edge security, and definitely increasing visibility over networks.
If you think you need these as a part of your business to be a more advanced and successful company, go for it. Just remember that a SASE architecture has many parts and services included within, so you need to make sure that you get SASE from a reliable source.