Breaking down the key components of SASE
When it comes to digital transformation, it’s do or die. However, when it comes to network security, it’s also do or severely risk your data, compliance, reputation and market share. This has led to a need for a unified and comprehensive approach to network security and connectivity. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) addresses this need by integrating multiple security and networking functions into a single, cloud-delivered service model. In this article, we will break down the key SASE components, including:
- Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN).
- Secure Web Gateway (SWG).
- Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB).
- Firewall as a Service (FWaaS).
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).
Understanding each of these components is essential for leveraging the full potential of SASE to secure and optimize modern IT environments.
Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN)
What is SD-WAN?
Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) is a foundational element of the SASE architecture. SD-WAN enhances traditional WANs by using software-defined technology to manage and optimize network traffic across multiple connections, such as Direct Internet Access (DIA), MPLS, broadband, and LTE . It provides centralized control, enabling organizations to intelligently route traffic based on application requirements, network conditions, and business policies.
The benefits of SD-WAN
- Improved performance: SD-WAN ensures optimal application performance by dynamically selecting the best path for traffic, reducing latency, and minimizing packet loss.
- Cost optimizations: By leveraging cost-effective broadband, DIA, and LTE connections alongside MPLS, SD-WAN reduces overall WAN expenses.
- Scalability: SD-WAN's cloud-based management allows for easy scalability, accommodating the needs of growing businesses.
- Enhanced security: SD-WAN integrates security features such as encryption, firewalls, and secure tunnels, ensuring data integrity and protection.
Use cases for SD-WAN
- Branch office connectivity: Because it simplifies the deployment and management of secure, high-performance connections, it’s great to link branch offices to the corporate network.
- Cloud application access: SD-WAN optimizes access to cloud applications, ensuring reliable and fast connectivity for remote users anywhere in the world.
Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
What is SWG?
A Secure Web Gateway is a security solution that protects users from web-based threats by filtering Internet traffic and enforcing security policies. SWGs monitor and control web traffic to prevent access to malicious websites, block inappropriate content, and ensure compliance with corporate policies.
The benefits of SWG
- Threat protection: SWGs provide real-time protection against web-based threats such as malware, phishing, and malicious URLs.
- Policy enforcement: Organizations can enforce Internet usage policies, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and corporate guidelines.
- Data security: SWGs prevent data leakage by controlling the flow of sensitive information to and from the Internet.
- Traffic visibility: SWGs offer detailed visibility into web traffic, enabling organizations to monitor user activity and detect suspicious behavior.
Use cases for SWG
- Remote workforce security: SWGs protect remote users by securing their Internet connections, regardless of their location and without compromising performance.
- Compliance enforcement: SWGs help organizations comply with industry regulations by enforcing strict web access policies.
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
What is CASB?
A Cloud Access Security Broker acts as an intermediary between users and cloud services, providing visibility, compliance, and security controls for cloud applications. CASBs enforce security policies, monitor user activity, and protect sensitive data across SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS environments.
The benefits of CASB
- Visibility and management: CASBs offer comprehensive visibility into cloud usage, helping organizations identify and manage shadow IT.
- Data protection: CASBs enforce data security policies, such as encryption and data loss prevention (DLP), to protect sensitive information in the cloud.
- Compliance: CASBs help organizations meet regulatory requirements by providing tools for auditing and reporting on cloud usage.
- Threat detection and response: CASBs detect and respond to threats in real-time, leveraging machine learning and behavioral analytics to identify anomalies.
Use cases for CASB
- Shadow IT management: CASBs identify and manage unauthorized cloud applications, reducing security risks associated with shadow IT.
- Data loss prevention: CASBs enforce DLP policies to prevent unauthorized access and sharing of sensitive data in the cloud.
Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)
What is FWaaS?
Firewall as a Service delivers firewall capabilities through the cloud, providing scalable and flexible security for network traffic. FWaaS eliminates the need for physical firewall appliances, offering centralized management and policy enforcement across the entire network.
The benefits of FWaaS
- Scalability: FWaaS scales with the needs of the organization, providing consistent security policies across all locations.
- Cost savings: By moving firewall functions to the cloud, organizations reduce hardware and maintenance costs.
- Centralized management: FWaaS offers a single view for managing firewall policies and monitoring network traffic.
- Enhanced security: FWaaS provides advanced security features, such as deep packet inspection, intrusion prevention, and threat intelligence integration.
Use cases for FWaaS
- Global network security: FWaaS provides consistent firewall protection for global networks, ensuring security across all locations.
- Flexible deployment: FWaaS supports flexible deployment models, including hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
What is ZTNA?
Zero Trust Network Access is a security framework that ensures secure access to applications and data based on the principle of "never trust, always verify." ZTNA verifies the identity and context of users and devices before granting access, regardless of their location or network.
The benefits of ZTNA
- Enhanced security: ZTNA reduces the attack surface by granting access only to authenticated and authorized users.
- Contextual access: ZTNA evaluates the context of access requests, such as user identity, device health, and location, to enforce granular access controls.
- Reduced risk: By segmenting access to applications and data, ZTNA minimizes the risk of lateral movement by attackers.
- Improved user experience: ZTNA provides seamless and secure access to applications, enhancing the user experience without compromising security.
Use cases for ZTNA
- Remote access: ZTNA ensures secure access to corporate applications and data for remote users, regardless of their location.
- Third-party access: ZTNA enables secure access for third-party vendors and contractors, enforcing strict access controls and monitoring their activities.
Integrating the key components of SASE
SASE integrates SD-WAN, SWG, CASB, FWaaS, and ZTNA into a single, cloud-delivered service model. This integration provides several key advantages:
- Simplified management: Organizations can manage security and networking functions from a centralized platform, reducing complexity and administrative overhead.
- Consistent policies: SASE ensures that security policies are consistently enforced across all users, devices, and locations.
- Seamless connectivity: SASE optimizes connectivity and performance, providing users with reliable and fast access to applications and data.
- Scalable security: SASE scales with the needs of the organization, offering flexible and adaptive security that evolves with the threat landscape.
Real-world applications of SASE: A global enterprise with remote workforce
Let's consider a real-world scenario where SASE's integrated components provide comprehensive security and connectivity:
A global enterprise with offices and remote employees around the world needs to ensure secure and efficient access to corporate resources.
The enterprise adopts SASE to address these requirements. It deploys the key components of SASE in the following ways:
- SD-WAN deployment: The enterprise deploys SD-WAN to connect its offices and remote users. SD-WAN optimizes traffic routing, ensuring reliable connectivity and improved application performance.
- SWG integration: Secure Web Gateway protects users from web-based threats, enforcing security policies and blocking malicious content. Remote users can securely access the Internet without compromising security regardless of location.
- CASB implementation: Cloud Access Security Broker provides visibility into cloud usage, manages shadow IT, and enforces data protection policies. The enterprise ensures that sensitive data is secure in the cloud.
- FWaaS activation: Firewall as a Service delivers scalable and flexible firewall protection, centralizing management and policy enforcement across the network. The enterprise reduces hardware costs and simplifies firewall management.
- ZTNA enforcement: Zero Trust Network Access verifies the identity of users and devices before granting access to applications and data. The enterprise ensures that only authorized users can access critical resources, regardless of their location.
By integrating these components into a unified SASE solution, the enterprise achieves comprehensive security, seamless connectivity, and improved operational efficiency.
Ready to adopt SASE in a way that takes your business faster to the future?
By adopting SASE, businesses can ensure that their network and security infrastructure is scalable, flexible, and capable of meeting the demands of today's dynamic IT environments.
By working with Expereo for your SASE deployment and integration, you can deliver on your specific cloud strategy and your business goals. We work with industry-leading vendors and remain agnostic when recommending the right mix and application of the key components of SASE to solve your specific challenges for your locations and users.
Get in touch to discuss your needs.