SASE Architecture

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architecture is a framework that combines networking and security controls into a single, cloud-native platform. With SASE architecture, organizations can streamline operations while delivering consistent security policies and fast access to every user, device, and application regardless of location.

Delivered at the network edge, SASE solutions are ideal for modern work models, including the use of SaaS applications and remote workers.

Core Components of SASE Architecture

Secure Access Service Edge architecture combines multiple networking and security technologies. The effectiveness of a SASE solution depends on the integration of these technologies, ensuring they provide comprehensive coverage and fast networking capabilities.

The 5 core components that define SASE architecture are the following:

• Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN): Based on Software-Defined Networking (SDN) principles, an SD-WAN enables businesses to securely connect different locations using a variety of connection types, while allowing Work-From-Anywhere (WFA) users to access resources from any location or device. SD-WANs also route traffic to optimize network connectivity and minimize latency.

• Secure Web Gateway (SWG): Sits between users and the internet, preventing access to unsecured or malicious websites using different filtering techniques. An SWG grants access based on security policies as well as contextual information such as user, device, and location.

• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): Enforces security policies as users interact with SaaS applications, protecting against misconfigurations and data misuse. A cloud access security broker provides visibility into an organization’s cloud use, including the identification of shadow IT, while implementing data loss prevention processes and ensuring compliance.

• Firewall as a Service (FWaaS): Provides a cloud-based next-generation firewall to enforce consistent security policies wherever users are connected. FWaaS offers scalable and flexible firewall capabilities, allowing organizations to adapt to future operations.

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Implements a “never trust, always verify” approach to access controls, shifting the focus of SASE to an identity-centric security model. ZTNA authenticates all access attempts using role-based controls and contextual information. This framework is typically combined with robust authentication processes such as Multi Factor Authentication (MFA). ZTNA limits lateral movement within a network to minimize the impact of compromised accounts.

Benefits of Implementing SASE Architecture

By combining these components, SASE delivers networking and security capabilities from a single, cloud-based platform that extends to every network edge. This offers a range of benefits, including:

• Enhanced Security Posture: Combines security capabilities to deliver comprehensive protection for every workflow. SASE also provides complete visibility from a single console, helping to prevent security gaps.
• Simplified Network Management: Allows teams to manage the entire network and its security from a single, unified solution.
• Improved Performance and Reduced Latency: SD-WAN capabilities optimize traffic routing while delivering security capabilities from a distributed network of Points of Presence (PoPs) throughout the cloud.
• Cost Efficiency and Reduced Infrastructure Overhead: SASE eliminates the need for expensive CapEx outlays on hardware. Consolidating security technologies into a single framework also reduces an organization’s outlay on security tools.
• Seamless Scalability and Flexibility: As a cloud-based solution, organizations relying on SASE can scale their service, quickly onboard new locations, and adapt their protections based on changing threats.
• Consistent Policy Enforcement Across Environments: By implementing the same security policies across environments, you can prevent security gaps and promote consistent best practices for all employees.

How to Create a Bulletproof SASE Architecture

However, to reap these benefits, you need to establish a robust SASE architecture. Without proper design considerations, your SASE solution may fail to realize the true potential of the architecture. You may end up with poorly integrated or misconfigured security policies, unnecessary administrative overhead, or a poor user experience for those accessing your network.

Key steps to create a successful SASE architecture based on your business’s needs include:

1. Assessing Existing Infrastructure

Before creating something new, you must understand what you already have. Create an inventory of your existing infrastructure, identify systems that can be leveraged in a future SASE architecture, and highlight areas where it fails to deliver the required connectivity or security. Assess your current workflows and determine the data each user needs to complete their tasks. Then start developing new network deployments that improve accessibility while maintaining security.

2. Selecting a SASE Vendor

Finding the right SASE vendor or vendors for your specific needs is crucial to delivering a secure and fast network that aligns with your business requirements. In the past, a comprehensive SASE product required creating a multi-vendor solution and combining security functions from different providers. Now, there are several exciting true single-vendor SASE solutions on the market that simplify deployment by providing all the functionality modern businesses need.

Other factors to consider include network speeds, integrations with popular cloud services, and practical network management tools.

3. Designing Your New SASE Architecture

Collaborate with vendors to design your new SASE architecture, mapping out all components and determining how they will integrate with each other and existing infrastructure for comprehensive coverage.

A key factor to consider is data management. How will data move between different apps, systems, and environments? What access controls will be in place for users trying to access it? And how will your new SASE architecture facilitate this movement and access securely without impacting the user experience?

When designing your SASE architecture, always remember to prioritize the end-user experience of the people actually working on your network. Additionally, consider that this will not be a rigid final form. Enable future scalability and flexibility to expand operations or adapt to new workflows.

Best Practices When Deploying SASE Architecture

After you design your SASE architecture, it needs to be deployed in the real world. Listed below are best practices that help streamline SASE implementation and ensure a smooth transition to your new security architecture.

• Phased Rollout: By deploying your SASE architecture incrementally, you can reduce the risk of major disruption or security gaps. There are different ways you can roll out a SASE architecture, focusing on specific security functionality initially or starting with particular locations.
• Where to Start: An effective starting point for SASE rollout is ZTNA. By implementing advanced access controls, you ensure that data protection is in place from day one, while also removing potential bottlenecks associated with traditional VPNs. Additionally, you can focus on onboarding users with elevated risk to the new SASE architecture. This includes implementing zero trust processes for third-party users who should only have minimal access to network resources.
• Listening to Feedback: Always listen to feedback during the implementation process. This includes feedback from users and IT staff, as well as analysis of logs and reports from various tools across the network, such as cloud access security brokers and next-generation firewalls. Despite all the planning you do, unexpected issues will still arise when implementing something as complex as SASE. By listening to feedback, identifying usage trends, and spotting performance issues, you can quickly resolve new problems in real-time, leading to a less stressful deployment.
• Training Users: Transitioning staff to a SASE architecture can be a significant change, particularly for individuals with less technical skill sets. To be successful, you need to convince employees of the value the new SASE architecture provides. Education and training programs are vital to achieve this. Run sessions to communicate the changes and the benefits they bring clearly. Also, develop training materials and documentation that they can read at their own pace to get up to speed when working with the new network.

Maximize Network Security with Check Point’s Check Point SASE

While SASE architecture and implementing a solution tailored to your needs might seem complicated, it becomes much easier when you work with a true single-vendor solution that can deliver everything you need.