What is SASE? A Guide to Secure Access Service Edge
Author: Saul Mulcrow
Release Date: 29/01/2025
With businesses shifting towards remote and hybrid environments, alongside the digital transformation of organisations, there has been a need for more secure and flexible network architectures. This is where we can utilise Secure Access Service Edge (or SASE), it seamlessly integrates network and security functions into one unified cloud based framework. In this guide we will discuss what SASE is, how it works, the key components and why it is essential for modern businesses.
What Does SASE Mean?
SASE stands for Secure Access Service Edge and was coined by Gartner in 2019, it combines network security and wide area networking (WAN) into a single service model that is cloud delivered. Unlike traditional networking solutions, SASE prioritises secure access to resources regardless of its user’s location, ensuring flexibility and scalability for modern day dynamic work environments.
Key Components of SASE
The core of SASE comprises of several essential technologies:
Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN)
SD-WAN is the spine of SASE, it allows for optimised and efficient data routing across a distributed network. In comparison to traditional WANs, a SD-WAN provides intelligent traffic management, which can enhance performance and reduce costs. A SD-WAN also allows you to steer end user traffic towards optimal paths, which ensures fast access alongside simplifying the onboarding process for users, sites and services.
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
ZTNA works on the principle of continuously verifying every user and device that is attempting to access a resource. It allows you to ensure that only authenticated devices and users can access resources, significantly reducing the potential entry points attackers could exploit. What sets ZTNA apart is the granularity it offers compared to traditional VPNs. For instance, someone working from their home laptop might still be granted access to specific cloud storage, but they would need to log in from a trusted device to reach sensitive internal virtual machines. This approach ensures that access is tailored to each session, adding an extra layer of control. ZTNA works by assuming that no one and nothing is trustworthy until various levels of authentication are satisfied.
Next-Generation Secure Web Gateway (NG-SWG)
NG-SWG offers advanced cloud and web protection without impacting daily user activities. It provides visibility and granular control into what different groups of remote users are allowed to access, ensuring protection for extensive cloud environments and robust data loss prevention.
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
CASBs provide visibility and control over cloud based services and applications, they prevent unauthorised access and safeguard sensitive data.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Data Loss Prevention is an essential component of modern security strategies. Netskope’s DLP is designed to prevent sensitive information being accessed, shared or even leaked, whether this be accidentally or intentional. It ensures that data is protected both internally and externally of the organisation by providing detailed policy enforcement and monitoring capabilities. With a DLP, you can seamlessly integrate across cloud applications and networks, giving organisations the confidence to share and store data securely, whilst still maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.
Benefits of Adopting SASE
Utilising all aspects of SASE provides a plethora of advantages for businesses, including:
Enhanced Security
As SASE integrates multiple security technologies, it ensures comprehensive protection against different cyber threats, safeguarding both the users and data.
Improved Performance
SASE utilises a network of global hubs to make sure users can gain fast and reliable access to their apps and services, no matter where they are based.
Scalability
Due to being a cloud-native solution, it can easily scale to meet the needs of growing organisations and evolving work environments.
Simplified Management
Due to SASE being a single platform, it allows IT teams to manage both networking and security functions in one place, which can reduce complexity and operational costs.
What Are Some Real-World Applications of SASE?
Organisations across different industries are turning to SASE to address different challenges:
• Remote Work Enablement: SASE supports remote employees by ensuring secure access to corporate resources without compromising performance.
• Cloud Migration: Businesses moving to the cloud benefit from SASE’s ability to secure cloud-based applications and services.
• Compliance Requirements: SASE helps organisations meet industry-specific regulatory requirements by offering robust data protection measures. It also prevents tool sprawl by consolidating multiple functions into a single platform, simplifying management and reducing overhead.
How to Implement SASE with Netskope
At Somerford, we understand the importance of implementing a SASE solution that aligns with your organisation’s unique requirements. Netskope’s SASE architecture provides a comprehensive, cloud first approach that ensures security and performance. But how would you go about implementing a SASE?
Assess Your Needs
You first need to identify the specific challenges that your organisation faces in terms of both networking and security. Some factors you may consider include: remote workforce requirements, cloud application usage and your existing infrastructure limitations.
Engage a Trusted Partner
Discuss with a Netskope partner like Somerford who is experienced in delivering SASE solutions. Utilising a trusted partner can guide you through selecting the right components and create a roadmap tailored to your specific needs. When considering the partner you need to think about the quality that they can provide, at Somerford we are an Evolve Partner Program: Preferred Partner with Netskope. Somerford as a partner has extensive experience supporting a broad range of FTSE 100 companies in enabling digital transformation at scale, at pace, and on budget.
Integrate Core Components Gradually
Start with the high priority technologies such as SD-WAN or ZTNA and then integrate with other components such as CASB and SSE to build a robust framework. Utilising Netskope’s cloud native platform ensures seamless integration across all services.
Focus on User Experience
Ensure that security measures do not hinder your user’s productivity. Netskope’s solution optimises performance by routing traffic through a globally distributed Point of Presence (PoPs) network.
Monitor and Optimise
Utilise the advanced analytics and reporting tools to continuously monitor the security and performance of your SASE implementation. It is important to regularly review and update policies to adapt to evolving threats and your business needs. To ensure optimal success post deployment, it is recommended to work with a partner that provides ongoing support through providing professional services.
Why Should You Consider SASE?
As businesses continue to adapt and embrace digital transformation and remote work becomes more common, traditional on premise network architectures will fall short of meeting the demands of a modern business environment. SASE addresses those gaps by delivering a secure, scalable and flexible solution that aligns with the needs of each individual organisation. By adopting SASE, your organisation can ensure seamless connectivity and robust security, driving productivity and innovation.
Conclusion
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is the future of networking and security as it brings them into one package helping businesses tackle challenges head on. Whether you are looking to enhance security, optimise performance or streamline management, SASE provides you with a comprehensive solution tailored to modern challenges.
If you wish to learn more about Netskope SASE, you can view our Netskope Explained Short Videos or speak to one of our certified Netskope consultants.
