The future of SASE: Trends to watch
With cyberattacks increasing and data under threat, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) has emerged as a leading cloud-based solution to enhance organizations’ security posture. So much so that the SASE market is expected to grow to over $16B by 2028, a 12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) fueled by the rising demand for integrated networking and security solutions into a unified, cloud-delivered service.
As organizations continue to adopt SASE, the technology itself is poised for further evolution. This is unsurprising given how quickly the threat landscape evolves and changes. Enterprise technology leaders who stay informed about SASE developments will be able to leverage them quickly to enhance their security strategy, keeping their people, places, and data safe.
The current state of SASE
Before delving into future trends, it's essential to understand the current state of SASE. SASE currently combines multiple security and networking capabilities, including:
These components work together to provide secure and efficient access to cloud-based applications and data, regardless of user location.
Emerging trends in SASE technology
As SASE continues to evolve, several key trends are emerging that will shape its future. These trends include:
1. Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are set to play a significant role in the future of SASE.
Impact:
- Enhanced threat detection: AI and ML algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data in real-time to identify patterns and anomalies. This enables faster and more accurate detection of sophisticated attacks.
- Automated response: AI-powered systems can automate responses to detected threats, reducing the time it takes to mitigate risks and improving overall security posture.
- Predictive analytics: By leveraging predictive analytics, SASE solutions can anticipate potential security incidents and proactively implement measures to prevent them.
However, it’s important to note that AI and ML in SASE can introduce data risks like unauthorized access, data leakage, and bias.
2. Expansion of edge computing
Edge computing involves processing data closer to the source, reducing latency and improving performance. As edge computing becomes more prevalent, SASE will need to adapt to provide security and connectivity at the edge.
Impact:
- Reduced latency: By processing data at the edge, SASE can minimize latency and improve the performance of real-time applications.
- Enhanced security: Edge computing requires robust security measures to protect data and devices at the network's edge. SASE will integrate edge-specific security capabilities to address these needs.
- Scalability: SASE solutions will need to scale effectively to accommodate the growing number of edge devices and applications.
3. Integration with the Internet of Things (IoT)
The increase in IoT devices presents new challenges for network security. SASE will evolve to address the unique security requirements of IoT environments, providing comprehensive protection for connected devices.
Impact:
- Device security: SASE will implement specialized security measures for IoT devices, including device authentication, data encryption, and anomaly detection.
- Network segmentation: By segmenting IoT devices from the rest of the network, SASE can limit the impact of potential security breaches and prevent lateral movement by attackers.
- Real-time monitoring: Continuous monitoring of IoT devices will enable rapid detection and response to security incidents.
4. Integration with 5G networks
The continual rollout of 5G networks promises increased speed, lower latency, and greater connectivity. SASE will need to integrate with 5G infrastructure to deliver secure and high-performance network services.
Impact:
- Optimized connectivity: SASE will leverage 5G’s enhanced connectivity to provide seamless and reliable access to applications and data.
- Security at scale: The increased bandwidth and device density of 5G networks require scalable security solutions. SASE will need to scale effectively to protect large volumes of traffic and connected devices.
- Dynamic policy enforcement: SASE will implement dynamic security policies that adapt to the changing conditions of 5G networks, ensuring consistent protection.
5. Focus on user experience
As businesses adopt SASE to secure their networks, the user experience will become a critical factor. SASE solutions will focus on providing seamless, efficient, and user-friendly experiences.
Impact:
- Seamless access: SASE will optimize access to applications and data, ensuring users can connect securely from any location without performance degradation.
- User-friendly interfaces: Intuitive management interfaces and streamlined workflows will make it easier for administrators to configure and manage SASE solutions.
- Personalized security policies: SASE will implement personalized security policies based on user roles, behaviors, and preferences, enhancing both security and usability.
Future developments in SASE technology
In addition to these emerging trends, several future developments are expected to drive the evolution of SASE technology.
1. Advancements in Zero Trust Architectures
Zero trust architectures are a core component of SASE, enforcing strict access controls and continuous verification. Future developments in ZTA will enhance SASE’s ability to provide secure access to applications and data.
Impact:
- Granular access controls: SASE will implement more granular access controls based on user identity, device health, and contextual factors.
- Continuous authentication: Continuous authentication mechanisms will verify user identities throughout their sessions, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
- Adaptive policies: SASE will leverage adaptive security policies that adjust in real-time based on risk assessments and threat intelligence.
2. Enhanced data protection
Data protection is a critical aspect of SASE, ensuring that sensitive information is secure both in transit and at rest.
Impact:
- Advanced encryption: SASE will implement advanced encryption techniques to protect data across all environments, including cloud, edge, and on-premises.
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Enhanced DLP capabilities will prevent unauthorized access and sharing of sensitive information, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.
- Privacy controls: SASE will provide robust privacy controls to protect user data and maintain compliance with evolving privacy laws.
3. Improved interoperability
Interoperability with other security solutions and technologies will be crucial for the future of SASE. Seamless integration with existing security infrastructure will enhance SASE’s effectiveness.
Impact:
- API integration: SASE will offer robust API integration capabilities, allowing organizations to connect SASE with their existing security tools and platforms.
- Security orchestration: By integrating with security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) platforms, SASE can enhance incident response and streamline security operations.
- Collaborative threat intelligence: SASE will leverage collaborative threat intelligence sharing to stay updated on the latest threats and improve overall security posture.
How to prepare for the future of SASE
To prepare for the future of SASE, organizations should take several steps to ensure they are ready to leverage the latest advancements and trends.
1. Evaluate current infrastructure
Start by evaluating your current network and security infrastructure. Identify areas where SASE can provide immediate benefits and address existing challenges.
Action:
- Assess network performance: Evaluate your network’s performance and identify bottlenecks that SD-WAN can help alleviate as part of a wider SASE solution.
- Review security posture: Conduct a comprehensive review of your security posture to identify gaps that SASE can fill.
2. Partner with the right SASE provider
Choosing the right SASE provider is crucial for leveraging future advancements. We would recommend working with a Managed Service Provider, like Expereo, who can help you build the a future-proof network, integrating the right SASE architecture based on the needs of your global network.
3. Develop a SASE adoption strategy
Develop a clear strategy for adopting SASE within your organization. Define your goals, timelines, and key milestones to ensure a smooth transition.
Action:
- Create a roadmap: Develop a detailed roadmap for SASE adoption, outlining the steps and resources required.
- Engage stakeholders: Engage key stakeholders across your organization to ensure buy-in and support for the SASE initiative.
By evaluating your current infrastructure, staying informed about emerging trends, partnering with the right SASE provider, and developing a clear adoption strategy, businesses can position themselves to take full advantage of the future of SASE.
Strengthen your network’s security posture with SASE from Expereo
By working with Expereo, 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 SASE solutions to solve your specific challenges for your locations and users.
We give you deep visibility into your connectivity solutions through expereoOne, enabling your team to easily view and manage your network infrastructure from a single pane of glass, with access to support and insights at the click of a button.
Get in touch to discuss your needs.