How SASE Framework Secures Remote Workers?

SASE framework closes up entry points to hacks, malware, phishing attacks, and data breaches.

It is easy to connect applications and secure remote workers when SASE is implemented, but there is more to the potential of this modern cybersecurity technique.

The SASE Network Architecture?

Gartner, a global research and advisory leader in technology, describes SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) as a cloud-based security framework that prescribes network connectivity and security technologies into a sole service provider to facilitate a safe and fast cloud transformation.

SASE is a modern method of securing and connecting remote workers and software. While a post-pandemic era has increasingly necessitated the need for an active security system, a major deterrence remains the complexity of the cyber landscape.

More so, securing the modern network requires lots of time, effort, and money. Hence, small businesses especially have a hard time coping with the requirement.

However, SASE helps save money and time channeled towards securing data online by leveraging a single, cloud-based solution. This approach helps organizations provide services and technologies by harnessing just one provider instead of multiple providers, resulting in high-cost network complexity and miscellaneous appliances.

For instance, SASE simplifies network maintenance, upgrades, and patches, further reducing costs.

When network complexity reduces, IT staff workload also reduces, positively impacting the cost of IT staffing while providing lasting security protection and increased network monitoring and performance.

The SASE architecture offers remote workers with PCs, laptops, and other mobile devices access to top-level cloud security while connected to the cloud. Users can leverage secure connections with no worry over security issues that are caused while backhauling data to the data center’s firewall.

Four Core Security Components of the SASE Architecture

The major components of the SASE architecture include Secure Web Gateways (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Software-defined WAN (SD-WAN), and Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS).

1. Secure web gateways (SWG)

The Secure web gateways help detect and prevent potential data breaches and threats by removing unsafe and unwanted contents from web traffic, restricting unauthorized activities, and enforcing the organizational policies on security. SWGs are very suitable in any aspect of remote workforce security.

2. Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

CASB conducts activities that include ensuring data privacy compliance, revealing authorized IT systems, offering protection for confidential data by preventing data loss, and scrutinizing access to resources.

3. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

ZTNA platforms control data access based on real-time identity and potential users verification. Rather than directly connect to the network, ZNTA users are first authenticated with a broker before being offered minimal access across the network.

4. Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS)

FWaaS are cloud-delivered firewalls as a service. They secure platforms, applications, and infrastructure in the cloud from cyber threats. It doesn’t function like the physical appliance feature of traditional firewalls. Rather, it is a set of security capabilities that include URL filtering, prevention, intrusion, and policy management across a wide range of network traffic.

How to Get Started With a SASE Framework

Implementing a SASE architecture can be quite tasking; however, the benefits are huge. Consider these important approaches to set up secured access for your remote employees:

1. Choose an option that allows network scaling as your business makes new changes and also offers a top-level security solution for your employees from any location they provide service from.

2. Implement technology that helps limit policy control points, and simplify the process of enforcement and management.

3. Invest in security and networking solutions that do not support any form of compromise—whether in user experience, speed, or performance.

SASE Implementation In Six Steps

Implementing SASE into your business should be specifically tailored to suit the needs of your business; however, there are six basic steps that most SASE implementation processes follow:

1st Step: Identify SASE use Cases and Goals

Define your project’s requirements and goals. What are the challenges you want to solve, and what is the intended benefit to your organization?

Leveraging these use cases will guide your direction and inform how you conduct the steps that follow. Once you understand why you need the SASE architecture, you can decide the technology solution, training, and processes to achieve your security goal.

2nd Step: Conduct A Thorough Assessment And Identify Issues In Your Existing Network

The next step is to assess your network infrastructure and figure out the gaps thoroughly. Important questions you may want to ask include:

Are the core remote worker skilled at implementing and managing a SASE deployment?

Is there a potential need to access the SASE service provider? For example, an SD-WAN backbone?

Is there any existing infrastructure conducted along with SASE, or is there a need for hardware for your edge?

3rd Step: Identify SASE Vendors and Solutions

You are not likely to come across a single-solution fully mature SASE provider. However, you’ll find vendors that offer access through SD-WAN and related technologies and others that leverage cloud-based network security features to provide a security service edge. SD-WAN vendors and Security service edge providers partner together often to provide fully integrated solutions under a unified management platform.

4th Step: Create a Staging And Test SASE Deployment

The steps required for service configuration vary from provider to provider, requirements, and environment. Consider staging and testing environments outside the production environment.

5th Step: Transition, Troubleshoot, and Support

Have a support staff that will attend to users’ complaints and troubleshoots problems, as even the most excellently planned deployments can generate issues. Hence, it is crucial to have a provision at hand.

6th Step; Monitor And Re-access implementation Constantly

Once you have fully implemented the SASE framework for your company, create a system to monitor it and consider ways to optimize and improve it regularly.

Conclusion

The best way to implement the SASE framework is to ease management, reduce complexity, and increase visibility. It is designed to secure your remote workers, and company resources as tasks are carried out from any location.