Remote and hybrid work models combined with the shift to cloud services have exposed enterprises to complex digital threats and cyberattacks that traditional security measures can’t effectively thwart. But a next-generation framework called Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) can help transform enterprises’ IT infrastructure by unifying network and security features. Learn more about the SASE solution in this blog.
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Today’s cyber threats introduced by the rise in remote work have made securing data with traditional network and security measures like firewalls and virtual private networks (VPNs) increasingly challenging. A new solution, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), can help enterprises address the following key needs:
Zero trust: Enterprises’ post-pandemic move to hybrid and remote work models essentially means employees can “connect from anywhere.” Traditional security models based on perimeter-based defenses have proven ineffective against sophisticated attacks such as phishing, ransomware, and credential theft. Most enterprises realize the immediate need for zero-trust security services, given the possibility and evolution of different threat vectors.
Cloud visibility: With the increased adoption of cloud-based resources, applications, and services, traditional network security approaches are becoming less effective. All enterprises need to monitor and understand the usage, performance, and security of their cloud resources. Challenges like shadow IT, unauthorized data access, compliance violations, etc., must be addressed to maintain a secure cloud environment.
Real-time threat detection: Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated in today’s threat landscape, and enterprises must have the capability to detect and respond to threats quickly to minimize the impact of attacks.
Single pane of glass monitoring: Traditional security solutions offer products and point solutions from multiple vendors, which can create a complex and disjointed security stack solution. This can result in overlapping and redundant security controls, increased costs, management overhead, and potential security gaps.
How the SASE Framework addresses these challenges
SASE is a cloud-based framework that integrates multiple security services and network functions into a single platform. SASE can help enterprises address the complex and evolving cybersecurity landscape by providing a flexible, scalable, and unified network security approach.
By combining multiple technologies into a single platform, it provides a holistic and efficient way to protect an enterprise’s digital assets while ensuring employees can work securely from any location.
This integrated approach enables organizations to simplify their security stack, improve their security posture, and reduce the time and cost of managing multiple security solutions.
Implementing a SASE solution
Here are some recommendations to consider when moving to SASE:
- Choose the right vendor
Selecting a SASE vendor that aligns with the enterprise’s requirements will increase the probability of success. Factors such as technology innovation, industry experience, and customer satisfaction should be considered
- Integrate with existing technologies
Devising a comprehensive plan for integrating the enterprise’s existing network infrastructure with the new SASE solution can help ensure seamless compatibility with network components such as routers, firewalls, etc.
- Phase the implementation
Implementing the SASE solution in phases, starting with the most critical applications and services, can help identify and address any issues or challenges before rolling out the solution across the entire organization
- Define the requirements
Defining the enterprise’s requirements and objectives, including security needs and network performance, can help the enterprise select the right solution
Key elements in the complexity of a SASE solution
Implementing and managing SASE solutions is complex because of the many different factors involved, including the end users, technology stack, cloud service providers, and data centers, as illustrated below:
SASE managed services commercial models
As a relatively new technology, SASE pricing depends on several factors like specific features and capabilities offered and the number of end users. Below are some pricing models offered by service providers that we see in the market:
- Per-user pricing
Providers offer a per-user pricing model, where the organization pays a fixed monthly fee per user. This model is observed in variable user environments.
- Tiered pricing
A few SASE providers offer pricing based on tiers, where varying sub-services are available at different price points. For example, a basic plan may include essential features like a firewall, and an advanced plan may include features like a Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), etc.
- Fixed fee pricing
The SASE provider charges the client a fixed fee for a particular set of pre-defined services and may charge more for additional features or services. This is typical in organizations that have more predictability in users.
With the rise of remote and hybrid work models, we expect many enterprises to adopt the SASE framework as a solution to their networking and security needs as part of their short- and long-term strategies.
For insights on the SASE framework, pricing, and benchmarks, please reach out to [email protected] and [email protected].
