Edge computing is definitely transforming business networks. But why? Because companies are relying more on the cloud for their businesses and hire more remote employees every day. As a result, they have a complicated network that requires secure remote access.
In such a diversified network, unquestioned trust is not efficient to protect corporate data. However, a holistic edge-to-edge security approach is what you exactly need. That’s why we believe SASE and the Zero Trust model create the dream duo. Let’s see them in detail and explain their relationship.
What is Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)?
SASE is a cyber security framework first introduced by Gartner in their The Future of Network Security Is in the Cloud report. Before explaining this framework, we have to understand why it was needed.
With the increasing popularity of the remote work model and the SaaS applications, the endpoints and the data accessing public networks from a corporate skyrocketed. More data traveling to public cloud services required a holistic approach to cyber security. Additionally, companies needed a way to ensure secure remote access for remote employees.
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a framework that combines the security and network connectivity services in the cloud to make cyber security geographically unrestricted, flawless, and compatible with cloud computing. This framework ensures the complete security of a business network in remote work models, architectures that use edge computing, and companies that migrate to cloud services. SASE takes cybersecurity from hardware completely to the cloud, meaning that networks are protected globally.
What is the Zero Trust Model?
Zero Trust is a security approach and a process that is based on the understanding of “never trust and always verify.” This security model requires the verification of permitted users every time they request access to the corporate network.
Modern web-based businesses mostly rely on their remote workforce, and they need a way to securely verify remote users. The Zero Trust model’s aim is exactly this by putting a zero-trust approach to the corporate networks that demand authentication constantly.
In short, the Zero Trust model trusts no one when it comes to granting access to corporate networks. It is a comprehensive security model that doesn’t let users have unlimited access to sensitive data. By eliminating implicit trust, it ensures flawless protection.
SASE & Zero Trust together: The perfect duo
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) framework combines several different cloud security services. It is not a direct product, but rather an architecture. One of the crucial parts of this architecture is the Zero Trust model. In other words, SASE requires Zero Trust to function at full capacity, and SASE is key to unlocking the benefits of Zero Trust.
SASE is able to take cybersecurity from hardware-based environments to the cloud. This makes security easier for companies with remote employees and a variety of SaaS business applications. Thanks to it, security is much closer to the endpoints and applications rather than data centers.
However, if you use traditional access processes, taking security to the cloud can only do so much. Granting unlimited access to the employees exposes your corporate network to malicious users even if you’ve implemented a SASE architecture. That’s where the Zero Trust Model comes into play. It considers all requesters as suspects and puts verification into force every single time.
Additionally, the Zero Trust model ensures the complete functionality of the SASE by extending secure access opportunities to the end-users regardless of their location. Most companies implement SASE to have a protected remote work model, and Zero Trust enables employees to register and verify even from public Wi-Fi connections.
SASE architecture allows IT departments to control cyber security from a single perspective by combining all cloud-based security services into one great structure. They have better visibility over their corporate network. The Zero Trust security approach adds to this visibility by giving insights about user activities and access information. IT departments maximize control over networks by combining SASE with Zero Trust.
Lastly, SASE creates the perfect base for the Zero Trust model to operate. At the same time, Zero Trust completes the objectives of the SASE model by ensuring high-level verification and a least-privilege approach. They are the dream duo of modern cyber security.
Final word
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and the Zero Trust model are both crucial for a comprehensive and capable cyber security structure. They compliment and help each other function better.
If you’re planning to implement a SASE architecture, remember that Zero Trust is an indispensable part of a successful one. Ensure complete protection of the corporate network by using the dream duo: SASE and Zero Trust.
