The boundaries between office and home office are becoming increasingly blurred. We work from anywhere, access cloud applications and our IT infrastructure is also distributed globally.
This presents our network security with completely new challenges. Classic IT security approaches with VPN and firewalls are increasingly reaching their limits in a world with hybrid working models, cloud-native applications and globally distributed infrastructures. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) brings a new, integrated approach to the game and provides companies with much more than just a modern VPN alternative.
What is SASE and how does it work?
SASE, pronounced ‘sässi’, is a cloud architecture model that Network and security features bundled into a single, centrally managed cloud service. Instead of operating individual systems for SD-WAN, firewalls, VPN, Secure Web Gateway (SWG) or Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) separately, SASE brings all these functions together in a uniform framework. The result is a simple yet powerful security and network management tool that is independent of where your employees and resources are located.
SASE requires little local hardware. The architecture leverages the widespread connectivity of the cloud to provide SD-WAN with all established network security features such as Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), Secure Web Gateways (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) to combine. The platform works by allowing data traffic from devices (e.g. laptops, smartphones, IoT devices) to a nearby Point of Presence (PoP) Leading. There, the traffic is inspected and safely forwarded to the desired destination, whether on the Internet or to a cloud application.
Why this is so and how Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Change the rules of the game, let's take a closer look.
The problem with the old school: VPNs and Firewalls
Imagine a traditional network: A central fortress, our data center, and all data streams run through a tunnel, the VPN. The problem? Anyone who enters this tunnel has virtually free access to everything that lies behind it. This is the so-called ‘trust by connection’ principle. So if only a single device or identity is compromised, your entire fortress is in danger.
In addition, there is the performance aspect: When you connect to the corporate network from your home office, your traffic must first go to the data center and from there to the cloud application you want to use. This creates latencies, i.e. delays that annoy and slow down productivity. Plus, managing all the physical firewalls and VPN devices that are in each branch increases costs.
SASE: The solution for a flexible, modern world
SASE is completely reversing this approach. It's not a single product, but a cloud-based framework that seamlessly connects network and security. Instead of relying on hardware that stands somewhere, SASE brings the security features to where you and your data are: to the edge of the network. Hence the name Secure Access Service Edge.
Here are the biggest benefits that SASE brings:
Safety reimagined from the ground up: Zero trust
Unlike the VPN, which once trusted, SASE is based on the Zero trustprinciple. This means: Don't trust anyone who connects, whether it's an employee, a partner or an IoT device. Each access is dynamically checked, not just once, but continuously. Every single data flow is carefully analyzed before it is allowed to establish a connection. This will massively reduce your attack surface.
The power of the cloud: Less complexity, more performance
SASE combines various functions in a single platform, which is provided from the cloud. Think about features like Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). You no longer have to manage countless island solutions. This not only saves on hardware and maintenance costs, but also makes managing security policies much easier and more efficient.
And the latencies? They are no longer a problem thanks to SASE. The traffic is routed directly from your location to the cloud application, without the cumbersome detour through the data center. The SASE platform has globally distributed access points (Points of Presence) that ensure a fast and stable connection. This is a huge advantage, especially for internationally active companies.
Compliance and transparency at a new level
Do you know what's happening to you in the shadow IT space? SASE is. It detects and analyzes unauthorized cloud applications and helps you better meet compliance requirements. IoT devices, which often pose a security risk in traditional environments, are also transparently monitored and secured with SASE. This gives you a clear view of your entire infrastructure – from the end devices to the cloud.
Here are five powerful but often unknown facts about how companies can rethink their IT security with SASE.
1. Export controls? Easier to bypass with SASE
For companies with locations in countries such as China, Russia or Iran, shipping classic security hardware with cryptographic components can be problematic. SASE overcomes this hurdle by relying on a cloud-based infrastructure. On the ground, you just have to have a simple Network socket installed, which does not have its own intelligence and is therefore usually not subject to export restrictions. The security functions are provided centrally from the cloud, which simplifies the rollout and eliminates the need for expensive on-site deployments by specialists.
2. Smooth location connection in China despite Great Firewall
China’s Great Firewall poses huge challenges to businesses by controlling traffic and often blocking traditional VPN connections. SASE providers such as Cato Networks or Zscaler Use strategically placed Points of Presence (PoPs) within China, which are licensed through local partners. As a result, data traffic can be transferred efficiently and legally, for example via Hong Kong, between Chinese branches and the head office in Germany, while VPN solutions often fail.
3. Secure IoT and OT systems reliably
Numerous IoT devices such as printers, scanners or cameras offer minimal security features and are often difficult to update. SASE solutions enable centralized management of these devices with full Network transparency and Protocol detection. The solutions of providers such as Cato Networks or Zscaler can even be targeted Micro-segmentation to isolate critical OT systems from the rest of the network and thus increase security.
4. Better user experience through digital experience monitoring
When employees in the home office have performance problems, troubleshooting is often complex and time-consuming. Integrated Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM) in SASE platforms continuously analyzes performance data and visualizes it in clear dashboards. The IT department gains real-time insights into connection quality and can intervene proactively. In combination with a ticket system, support processes can be further automated, which significantly improves the user experience.
5. Firewalls in field offices become superfluous
SASE enables branch offices to be securely and efficiently connected to the existing corporate network without the need for local firewalls. The security functions are as Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) Delivered directly from the cloud. Only a small socket is necessary. This eliminates the hassle and cost of hardware maintenance, patching, and lifecycle management, and enables centralized, unified management of security policies across all sites.
Conclusion: SASE is not a trend, but a necessity
The world we work in has changed fundamentally. And our network security needs to keep up with this development. SASE is the logical answer to the challenges of hybrid work, global structures and cloud applications. It not only provides a more modern, secure alternative to VPNs and firewalls, but also lays the foundation for an agile and future-proof IT infrastructure.
So if you're thinking about how to make your network fit for the future, you should definitely have SASE on your radar.
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