Why SASE is the future of Network security?

Secured Access Service Edge (SASE), introduced by Gartner in Aug 2019, is a framework to converge network and security functions as an integrated service hosted at the cloud edge for improved network protection and performance. This article describes network vulnerabilities and how SASE helps to protect the network and end users from the impact of these vulnerabilities.

What is Network vulnerability

A network vulnerability is a software, hardware flaw, or organizational processes, which when compromised by a threat, can result in a security breach.
  • Software vulnerabilities – The OS or the software running in the end system or networking equipment is outdated and vulnerable to external attack if not patched with latest software including security patches
  • Physical Network & Server vulnerabilities – involve physical protection of servers and network equipment

Types of Network vulnerabilities

Most common types of network vulnerabilities are:
  • Misconfigured firewalls / operating systems that allow or have default policies enabled
  • Outdated or unpatched software that exposes the systems running the application and potentially the entire network
  • Social engineering attacks (i.e. phishing emails, whaling, vishing, smishing, spam, pharming etc.) for stealing personal information such as username or password
  • Malware, a malicious software (such as trojans, viruses, worms, ransomware, and bots/botnets etc.) that is installed on a user’s machine or a host server
It takes huge investment in time, money & resources for continuous monitoring, upgrading, and detecting and resolving the threats due to network vulnerabilities. Enterprise network security team needs to assess overall security posture of the enterprise network & systems to address the potential vulnerabilities before they become lethal for the network, individual employees, and overall company.

What is SASE, its benefits, and how it helps:

Secured Access Service Edge (SASE) is hosted at the cloud edge. Three fundamental characteristics of SASE are: 
  • Security – control & protect from anywhere
  • Simplicity – ease of consolidation & use
  • Scalability – evolve and grow to meet the network and security needs
It delivers following benefits:  
  • Deliver seamless, scalable, secure internet, intranet, and cloud access anytime, anywhere
  • Simplify deployment, management, and policy enforcement across all environments
  • Reduce complexity and consolidate security functions in an efficient SaaS model
  • Move access control closer to where it is needed

How SASE addresses Network vulnerabilities:

  • Doesn’t matter where end-application is hosted – applications can be hosted in a corporate data center, be in a private or public cloud, or be a SaaS offering. Centralized network connectivity and security are not optimal for distributed deployment of applications. SASE makes it easy to perform the security functions near the end user, while simplifying connectivity to the applications.
  • Centralized, dynamic, role-based policies streamline operations – Central management of security policies streamline the networking and security aspects for remote access. The network perimeter is closer to where the endpoint exists, and security is dynamically applied, with policies based on the role of the connecting entity.
  • Integrating Security & Routing – SASE encompasses several security functions:
  • DNS reputation
  • CASB – Cloud Access Security Broker
  • ZTA – Zero Trust network access, End device Posture control
  • Email protection, DLP – Data Loss Prevention, Malware protection
  • FWaaS – Firewall as a service with support for IDP/IPS
  • Secure Web Gateway
  • Network analysis to identify cases where malware begins
  • Distributed architecture with centralized management with more resiliency to protect from DDoS
  • Reduces the WAN & infrastructure cost

Conclusion

Old approaches to address network vulnerabilities are simply incapable & not cost effective for keeping up with evolving & complicated networking environment and the proliferation of cyberthreats that can cause major damage to businesses. SASE provides a completely different architecture for network and cloud security that enables protection to all users (i.e. on-premises, remote works, road warriors), assets and applications hosted on a server in the corporate data center or residing in the cloud.

Manoj Wagle

A Technology & Engineering leader with extensive experience in developing products & systems in Cellular/Enterprise Wireless (WiFi), IP Networking/Mobility, Routing & Security domains. Setup exceptional R&D teams for development & support of wired/wireless networking products in Motorola & Aruba/HPE.

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