![Discover the power of SASE: Empowering Network Security and Safeguarding Your Business]()
In today's modern world, businesses need to
adopt advanced technologies to streamline operations. Among these
technologies, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Software-Defined Wide Area
Network (SD-WAN) have emerged as essential solutions for secure and efficient
network architecture. In this article, we will take a deep dive into SASE and
explore its connection with SD-WAN, highlighting the key components of SASE, and why businesses
should consider implementing it.
What is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)?
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a revolutionary technology that has changed the traditional
landscape of network security. In the past, network security was primarily
focused on protecting the perimeter of the network. However, with the rise of
cloud computing and remote work, the perimeter has become increasingly
difficult to define. This is where SASE comes in.
SASE brings together numerous security and
network technologies into a unified platform that provides secure, reliable,
and efficient access to cloud applications, resources, and services. It forms a
secure edge around each user and device, enabling secure access to
applications, regardless of their location. This is particularly important in
today's distributed enterprises, where employees are increasingly working from home
or on the go.
One of the must-know features of SASE is its Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) capability. In contrast to the traditional network security models
which simply assume everything inside a particular network is trusted, ZTNA
only allows users, devices and applications to access once they are proven to
be authorized, which is highly conducive to reducing the risk of cyber attacks.
How are SASE and SD-WAN related?
Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) is a technology that enables businesses to connect their branch
offices and remote locations to their headquarters or data centers through secure
connections. It takes advantage of software-defined networking to dynamically
route traffic over multiple paths based on predefined rules and network
conditions.
On the other hand, SASE is a cloud-based
security model that combines various security functions into one single
platform, delivering security and network services from the cloud rather than replying on
on-premises hardware or software.
By integrating SD-WAN and SASE, Businesses can benefit from
a comprehensive networking and security solution that is easy to deploy,
manage, and scale. This integration enables businesses to secure their network
traffic, regardless of its orgin or
destination, and enforce consistent security policies
across all their locations and users.
Furthermore, SD-WAN and SASE can work together
to improve user experience and productivity. SD-WAN can prioritize and route
traffic in accordance with business needs, while SASE can provide secure access
to various cloud applications and services, enabling users to
access their applications and data quickly and securely, without worrying about
network or security issues.
Get to Know the 3 Key Components of SASE
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a network
security architecture that is gaining popularity among businesses of all sizes and across industries. Here are some of the key components of SASE:
1) Cloud-Native Security Services
SASE incorporates a range of cloud-native
security services such as Web Application Firewall
(WAF), Secure Web Gateway (SWG),Data Loss Prevention (DLP), and
more. These services are delivered from the cloud, hence providing greater
scalability and reliability. With these services included, businesses can
ensure that their data and applications are protected from malicious cyber
attacks, even when accessed from remote locations.
2) Zero-Trust Network Access
SASE leverages Zero-Trust Network Access
(ZTNA) approach to provide secure access to applications based on user and device
identity. This approach enhances security by providing granular control to improvie protection against cyber attacks.
ZTNA provides businesses with a more secure
way to access their applications and data. With ZTNA, only authorized users and
devices are permitted to access their network and applications. Not only can
this component provide businesses with greater visibility into user activity,
it also enables the IT teams to detect and block cyber threats in a timely manner.
3) Integration with SD-WAN
Through integration with Software-Defined Wide
Area Networking (SD-WAN), SASE is equipped to offer optimal network performance
by directing traffic to the appropriate path based on the policies applied to
each application.
SD-WAN provides businesses with a more
efficient way to manage their network traffic. Cloud applications often undergo frequent
changes, and through integration with SD-WAN, businesses are able to deliver the best
end-user quality of experience for cloud-hosted applications without
compromising security. Most importantly, the advanced networking capabilities help automate
orchestration between the SD-WAN and cloud-delivered security services at ease,
achieving a cutting-edge functionality for SASE.
3 Reasons for Businesses to Consider SASE
1) Increased Network Security
With the rise of cyber threats, network
security has become a top priority for businesses. SASE's Zero Trust Network
Access (ZTNA) capability significantly enhances network security by ensuring
that applications are only accessed by authorized users and devices, effectively keeping
the malicious cyber attacks at bay.
SASE's ZTNA capability also provides
businesses with granular control over user access, allowing them to
enforce policies that restrict access to specific applications and data.
2) Improved Network Performance and Scalability
SASE's cloud-native architecture enables
businesses to scale their network operations effectively while maintaining stable
performance. This is achieved through automated and intelligent network management provided by the integration of SASE and SD-WAN. Furthermore, SASE's cloud-based architecture eliminates the
need for businesses to invest in expensive hardware and infrastructure, allowing them to scale
their network operations without incurring significant capital expenditures.
3) Simplified Network Administration and
Management Operations
Unlike traditional WAN architectures that
require multiple point solutions to manage security and network, SASE offers a
unified platform that streamlines network and security operations. This allows
businesses to reduce the complexities of network management and improve operational
efficiency.
SASE's unified platform also enables
businesses to reduce the number of vendors they work with, simplifying
procurement and management, while allowing businesses to focus on delivering value to their
customers instead of managing complex vendor relationships.
Beginner Guide to SASE Implementation
Implementing SASE is a critical step towards
securing your network infrastructure. When selecting an SASE solution, it's
crucial to evaluate vendors carefully.
Be noted that SASE solutions may differ in
terms of their capabilities and pricing models. Therefore, consider the
following factors when selecting a SASE solution:
-
Network scalability and performance: Make sure that the SASE solution you select can scale to meet your
network's growing demands without compromising performance.
-
End-to-end visibility and control: The SASE solution should provide complete visibility into your network
traffic and allow you to control access to your network resources.
-
Unified policy management and enforcement: The SASE solution should provide a centralized policy management and
enforcement mechanism that simplifies network security management.
-
Comprehensive threat protection: The SASE solution should provide comprehensive threat protection,
including protection against malware, phishing, and other cyber threats.
-
Flexible deployment options: The SASE solution should offer flexible deployment options, including
cloud-based, on-premise, or hybrid deployment models.
-
Seamless integration with existing security
infrastructure: The SASE solution should seamlessly integrate
with your existing security infrastructure, including firewalls, endpoint security, and
other security measures.
Real-life Application Examples of SASE
SASE is suitable for businesses operating in
various sectors, including financial institutions, healthcare service providers,
retailers, educational institutions, and government organizations.
Below is a list showcasing how SASE can be applied in these sectors:
-
Financial Institutions: SASE provides secure
access to remote employees and branch offices, while providing
comprehensive threat protection for financial transactions and customer data.
-
Healthcare Service Providers: SASE protects confidential patient data by providing
secure remote access to medical records, patient information, and other
critical data.
-
Retailers: Using zero-trust approach, SASE secures transactions
and customer data across multiple channels, including e-commerce platforms,
brick-and-mortar stores, and mobile shopping apps.
-
Educational Institutions: By implementing SASE, educational institutions can ensure the network security of their online learning platforms and protect
students' personal information.
-
Government Organizations: SASE plays an important role in assisting government organizations in
securing their networks and
enabling secure access to sensitive information from anywhere without compromising security. This
capability is vital for effectively handling the large volumes of sensitive data that government
entitles deal with on a daily basis.
Foreseeable Challenges of SASE
While SASE provides an effective solution for
businesses' security requirements, some challenges may hinder its deployment, for example:
1) Legacy Systems and Applications
Businesses with legacy systems and
applications may find it challenging to integrate SASE solution into their existing
infrastructure.
2) Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
Compliance mandates such as China’s Cybersecurity Law and the EU’s GDPR may require businesses to implement additional security measures,
which may complicate the entire SASE deployment process.
3) Integration with Existing Security
Infrastructure
Businesses must access carefully whether their chosen SASE
solution can integrate seamlessly with their existing security infrastructure.
Achieve End-to-end Network Security with SASE
CITIC Telecom CPC’s TrueCONNECT™ SASE and TrueCONNECT™ Hybrid SD-WAN are
two powerful solutions that can be integrated to provide the ultimate intelligent network security
solution for distributed enterprises. Through the flexible and user-friendly SD-WAN orchestrator tool,
distributed enterprises can directly and automatically steer network traffic
that links all evolving edges, including headquarters, branch offices, data centers
and cloud edges. This integration simplifies infrastructure management without
compromising security, flexibility and scalability.
As a pioneer in digital transformation, CITIC Telecom CPC offers comprehensive “Cloud, Network, Intelligence and Security” solutions, driving
enterprises to embrace the new era of digital transformation and seize new opportunities. Let us help you
achieve your digital transformation goals while ensuring top-level network security
and optimal performance today. Chat with us now to
customize your ideal network security solution!
