In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, ensuring the security of cloud services has become a top priority for organizations. One emerging cybersecurity concept that is gaining traction is SASE, which stands for Secure Access Service Edge. This cloud-delivered security model offers a comprehensive solution for organizations looking to protect their cloud-based applications and remote workforce.
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The Changing IT Landscape
Traditionally, organizations adopted a centralized approach to IT services. They had a headquarters office or a data center with a secure connection to the internet and server-based resources. Branch offices were connected to the headquarters through WAN links, which allowed them to utilize the centralized resources. This setup made it easy to apply security policies in one centralized place.
However, in recent years, the way we work has transformed. Users are no longer confined to the headquarters or branch offices. They now work from home offices and use cellular devices like phones and tablets. Additionally, branch offices have independent internet connections, often with the adoption of SD-WAN, which offers cost-effective alternatives to dedicated WAN links. Cloud adoption further complicates the scenario, as organizations utilize various types of cloud services, such as public, private, and software-as-a-service.
The Challenge of Securing a Distributed Environment
This shift towards distributed users and services poses a significant challenge in terms of security. How can organizations ensure the security of their applications and data in this highly distributed environment? This is where SASE comes into play.
SASE is a cloud-delivered security model that eliminates the need for traffic to flow through a centralized hub site, such as a headquarters or data center. Instead, traffic is routed through the cloud, where security measures are applied. This approach enables organizations to securely deliver both cloud-based and on-premises applications to users anywhere.
Understanding SASE as a Security Broker
Think of SASE as a security broker that provides a unified and vendor-neutral approach to security. It combines various security concepts that you may already be familiar with, such as CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker), firewalls as a service, next-gen web proxies, and zero trust.
One key aspect of SASE is that security policies are delivered based on the identity of the entity. This entity can refer to people, groups, devices, applications, services, IoT systems, or even locations. Unlike traditional security approaches that rely on IP addresses and port numbers, SASE allows for policies to be applied to any entity, regardless of their location or connection method.
The Future of SASE
Although the adoption of the SASE model is still relatively low, it is expected to rise significantly in the coming years. Currently, less than five percent of organizations have a SASE strategy in place. However, industry experts predict that this number will increase to forty percent within the next five years.
If you’re interested in exploring the benefits of SASE for your organization, there are several vendors already working with this model. These include Techal, among others.
Here are some frequently asked questions about SASE:
Q: What is SASE?
A: SASE stands for Secure Access Service Edge. It is a cloud-delivered security model that provides comprehensive network security as a service.
Q: Why is SASE important?
A: SASE addresses the challenges of securing a highly distributed environment with remote users and cloud-based applications. It offers a unified and vendor-neutral approach to security, ensuring the protection of users and services, regardless of their location.
Q: How does SASE differ from traditional security approaches?
A: Unlike traditional security approaches that rely on IP addresses and port numbers, SASE focuses on the identity of the entity. Security policies can be applied to people, devices, applications, services, and more, regardless of their location or connection method.
Q: What is the future outlook for SASE?
A: The adoption of the SASE model is expected to increase significantly in the next five years. Industry experts predict that forty percent of organizations will have a SASE strategy in place by then.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, organizations must adapt and embrace new cybersecurity models like SASE to protect their cloud-based applications and remote workforce. SASE offers a vendor-neutral and cloud-delivered security solution that ensures the security and accessibility of applications and data, regardless of the user’s location. Stay ahead of the curve and explore the benefits of SASE for your organization today.
