Mission-Critical Features for Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

The rapid shift to cloud computing, the rise of remote work, and the increasing need to secure access from any location has made Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) a critical framework for modern enterprises. Introduced by Gartner in 2019, SASE converges networking and security into a unified, cloud-delivered service. As enterprises adopt SASE, there are several mission-critical features they need to focus on to ensure their networks remain secure, scalable, and efficient. Below, we explore the key features that are integral to a successful SASE implementation.

1. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

• Overview: Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a security model that assumes all network traffic, internal or external, is untrusted until verified. It ensures that access is granted based on the identity of the user or device, not based on network location.
• Importance: In the context of SASE, ZTNA is essential for protecting distributed workforces, especially with the rise of remote work. Traditional perimeter-based security models are ineffective when users are accessing cloud applications from various locations. ZTNA integrates with SASE to continuously authenticate users and devices, applying the principle of least-privileged access.