What is not SASE?

SASE and SD-WAN share more than a passing resemblance; both technologies have the potential to empower organizations with greater agility, convergence of resources, unified routing capabilities, and an abstracted view from the physical infrastructure. In many contexts these overlapping features make it no surprise that they’re often compared - but there's much more at play when you dive into what SASE has to offer.

Cloud-based security is not SASE

SASE solutions are bolstered by a wide range of advanced security features, such as IPS (intrusion prevention system) and NGFW (next-generation firewall) for intrusion prevention plus SWG (secure web gateway) to protect web gateway access. Keep your data secure with the latest in cyber-defense technology!

Adopting an identity-driven security strategy and cloud native architecture are essential components of SASE. Unfortunately, relying solely on a feature-rich cloud firewall won't cut it - Security is only half the equation with Global WAN optimization and routing capabilities also vital to achieving true SASE architecture at scale.

Multiple disparate appliances patched together is not SASE

With SASE, organizations can adopt the best of both worlds - agile routing powered by SD-WAN plus comprehensive security features. However, a greater value is only achieved when these elements are optimally configured and integrated together - simply deploying individual components from various "SASE providers" won't take advantage of their full potentials.

Converging network and security appliances with cloud solutions can provide increased agility, visibility, simplicity, and performance that is otherwise unachievable. Building a patchwork of products to try and achieve the same goals leads to high costs as well as complex networks that cannot sustain at scale. Although outsourcing may appear attractive from an initial perspective you often end up spending more while sacrificing quality in return.

Virtual appliances on edge devices is not SASE

Virtual appliances provide a simpler way to utilize resources at the edge, but don't reduce operational costs. SASE technology takes this resource efficiency one step further; functions are delivered through cloud-native platforms and managed by providers, both eliminating appliance form factors as well as any overhead of managing them for customers.So, what exactly is SASE?

SASE is about the convergence of networking and security in a way that improves performance, simplifies operational complexity, and enhances security posture at a global scale. To meet these criteria, a true SASE solution needs the following characteristics:

• Support for all edges: Mobile, cloud, WAN, and edge locations must all be supported without sacrificing performance or functionality. Many virtual and physical appliances struggle to meet this criterion. This is because security appliances are often inherently tied to a specific location.
• Identity-driven security: The SASE security model is built around granular identification of resources. SASE requires that every app, person, and device can be accounted for and data flows can be analyzed in-depth. Doing so enables full-network visibility and contextual awareness to help mitigate threats.
• Cloud native architecture: To simplify management complexity and deliver elasticity, resilience, and self-maintenance that make SASE performant and scalable for the enterprise, a multi-tenant cloud native architecture is a must.
• Globally distributed network connectivity: A globally distributed cloud platform ensures that all the features of SASE are available no matter where enterprise network edges are located geographically. This means that SASE PoPs (points of presence) need to go beyond public cloud data centers and ensure low-latency connectivity for all WAN endpoints.

Companies looking to optimize their digital businesses should get the inside scoop on SASE. Our free eBook “The Network for the Digital Business Starts with the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)” reveals how Secure Access Service Edge can help businesses stay competitive in today's ever-evolving marketplace. And if you want to experience it firsthand, just contact us or sign up for a demo right now!

Why Horizon Telecom

Horizon Telecom is the premium MSP partner for organizations seeking to implement SASE solutions that enhance their security posture, improve operational complexity, and boost performance. With Horizon Telecom, companies can optimize their digital businesses and stay competitive in today's ever-evolving marketplace. Contact us or sign up for a demo today to experience the power of SASE with Horizon Telecom.

Contact us today or sign up for a demo to experience firsthand how Horizon Telecom can help you stay competitive in today's ever-evolving marketplace. With Horizon Telecom as your partner, you'll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your network is secure and optimized for success.

As an IT Director in a global corporate organization, you are well aware of the challenges that come with implementing effective network security solutions. The concept of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) has been gaining popularity in recent years as a comprehensive approach to network security, but it's important to differentiate between true SASE solutions and imposters. Many vendors may claim to provide SASE but fail to offer the comprehensive security package, cloud native architecture, globally distributed network connectivity, and identity-driven security that true SASE requires. At Horizon Telecom, we understand the importance of SASE and offer premium MSP services that enable organizations to optimize their digital businesses while staying competitive in today's ever-evolving marketplace. With Horizon Telecom as your partner, you'll have peace of mind knowing your network is secure and optimized for success. Contact us today to experience the power of SASE firsthand.