Remote work models have been in our lives for the last two years, and it is expected to stay in our lives for good as employees want to continue working merely remotely or in hybrid arrangements where they can still work remotely some days of the week. But, letting employees work remotely increases security risks, creates a decentralized work environment, and makes corporate networks more complicated and difficult to protect.
For these reasons, remote work security has been the biggest issue for businesses since day one. Unfortunately, with legacy security approaches businesses can’t overcome the challenges that come along with remote and hybrid work models, and these technologies can put businesses at high-security risks.
As of 2022, businesses are in need of security technologies that will enable secure remote access for remotely working employees. In this regard, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is the security and networking architecture that businesses need today. SASE is a really popular architecture in the cloud computing market, and every day more and more businesses adopt SASE architecture to secure cloud environments and remotely working employees. By the end of 2026, experts predict that SASE’s market share will grow at a rate of 26.4%, and reach 4.1 billion dollars annually.
This architecture has mind-blowing benefits that will help businesses improve security for all corporate assets. In this article, we will explain how SASE enables secure remote access. But first, we will overview SASE architecture for those who aren’t familiar with this solution.
What Is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)?
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) was presented in 2019. SASE is a cloud-based architecture that interconnects networking and security tools together. This architecture performs as a service in the cloud and allows businesses to centralize networking and security tools into the cloud. In SASE solutions commonly there are five main components; SD-WAN as service, Firewall as Service (FWaaS), Secure Web Gateway (SGW), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). But, SASE isn’t limited to these five components, and it allows businesses to add or remove security and networking tools to the architecture at any time they want.
Other than SD-WAN, the remaining components of SASE are security tools. This architecture has multi-layer security settings and these components perform as a unified service alongside each other. Also, SASE architecture is capable of securing cloud environments and on-site assets. With its unified security policies, this architecture eliminates the complexity of corporate networks that are created by remotely working employees. Using SASE solutions can help businesses reduce costs, and mitigate security risks associated with internal and external parties.
When we analyze the security components of SASE, we can see that Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) operates at the network layer, and it is the most advanced network security tool. Zero Trust enables identity and context-based access controls. It controls and limits users’ access, and requires continuous authentication via multi-factor authentication, single sign-on (SSO), and biometric tools. It segments the network and prohibits lateral movement between sub-segments. This way, it creates smaller surface areas for potential cyberattacks. Also, it monitors users’ behaviors and activities and alerts admins when a user shows abnormal behavior or involves in treacherous activities.
Firewall as Service (FWaaS) operates inside the cloud perimeter and continuously searches for unauthorized access attempts and prevents these attempts before they gain illegitimate access. Also, it monitors the cloud perimeter and searches for malware and undesired software. Meanwhile, Secure Web Gateway (SGW) dispenses network traffic and monitors the cloud perimeter at all times.
Also, SGW has URL filtering, data loss prevention, and application control features, and it can enforce all necessary security policies to maintain enhanced security. SGW has quite useful features and it can prevent harmful traffic from reaching employees’ devices. While SGW and FWaaS improve security inside the cloud perimeter, Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) performs as a bridge between users and applications. Simply, CASB controls and limits users’ access to third-party applications.
How SASE Enables Secure Remote Access?
SASE architecture enables secure remote access by using the SD-WAN tool as a service. Whenever a user requests access to corporate networks and resources, first Zero Trust authenticates their identities via MFA, SSO, or biometrics. Once authentication is completed, SD-WAN directly connects users to the company’s network and resources regardless of their locations, devices, or internet connections.
Also, SD-WAN enables better network performance and speed in two ways. Firstly, it dispenses traffic across the cloud-suitable Wide Area Network (WAN) and maintains lighter traffic. Secondly, while connecting users to the company’s networks and resources, SD-WAN selects the greatest routes and paths for improved network performance. Simply, it establishes the lightest network traffic, and this way it prevents network congestion and latency issues.
While using SASE, companies can provide secure remote access to their employees and accomplish robust security for end-point users and all kinds of corporate assets. Lastly, SASE is the most advanced networking and security architecture in the cloud computing market and it delivers mind-blowing benefits.
Last Remarks
In today’s world, the majority of the global workforce either works remotely or in hybrid arrangements. While employees enjoy the benefits of remote work models, business owners are concerned about the increasing security risks that come along with remote working. To cope with increasing threats, businesses are in need of modern security solutions. In this regard, SASE architecture is the best networking and security solution that helps businesses accomplish robust security across corporate assets, resources, and networks.