Maximizing efficiency in production processes is key to ensuring long-term viability and allowing businesses to thrive in a competitive global market. However, implementing efficient production processes isn’t an easy task.
A cloud-based SASE solution combines networking and security to create a unified framework that supports today’s diverse and distributed workplace. It also offers a scalable service model that reduces costs by eliminating hardware and reducing management workload.
Streamlined Operations
SASE consolidates networking and security functions traditionally delivered as point products as a single service. This unified framework enables enterprises to reduce costs and complexity, adopt a least-privileged model for remote and mobile workers, ensure consistent policy enforcement, and improve security and performance.
The SASE model takes advantage of Zero Trust principles, requiring that every access request be evaluated before a worker is granted network access. These access decisions are based on more than identity, including geolocation, device posture, enterprise security standards, and a continuous evaluation of risk/trust. The solution is also designed to minimize risk by reducing the attack surface through sandboxing, data loss prevention (DLP), and IPS.
Vendors have responded to the demand for SASE solutions by rushing to market with various offerings. However, many of these are merely VM-based data center solutions bundled with cloud technologies and relabeled as SASE. These systems backhaul traffic to the vendor before allowing users to access applications, significantly degrading productivity.
Organizations looking to maximize the value of their SASE investments should choose a managed service provider. It will eliminate heavy initial investments and reduce operational expenses, enabling them to free up in-house IT for value-driven work. In addition, a managed service provider can deliver a predictable operating expense model that supports the organization’s long-term goals.
Cost-Effectiveness
Depending on the features they include, SASE solutions may be expensive. Buyers should consider the total cost of ownership and assess whether the unified service model makes sense for their organization.
SASE solutions for Chinese enterprises are an all-in-one service that can reduce hardware requirements for branch offices and remote locations, reducing capital expenses. Operational costs are also reduced by eliminating the need for end-user device agents. In addition, organizations can benefit from a more efficient network with improved performance and lower security costs.
In addition, a managed SASE solution can cut the number of vendors organizations deal with. It reduces complexity, allowing IT teams to focus on other projects. Furthermore, SASE can enable enterprises to migrate away from traditional network architectures that involve DMZs and VPNs that require hardware in remote locations.
Finally, SASE solutions can provide cost-effectiveness by consolidating networking and security tools into a single platform for consistent management across the enterprise. It cuts administrative costs and lowers the training burden on limited IT staff.
As buyers evaluate SASE vendors, they should look for a global footprint. Because SASE involves tunneling user traffic to points of presence (PoPs) in multiple data centers, a global network helps ensure low latency at each location. A global footprint also means fewer data centers are required, lowering operating costs. Moreover, SASE providers should offer a full range of networking and security capabilities at the edge, including SD-WAN, SaaS acceleration, caching, bandwidth aggregation, and NGFW.
Flexibility
SASE solutions consolidate networking and security functions that were once delivered as point products, and they typically offer a single, simple architecture with cloud-based management. These features can help organizations reduce costs and complexity, achieve a least-privileged model for remote and mobile users, ensure consistent policy enforcement, and improve network visibility and performance.
Moreover, SASE offers a secure way to deliver access to business-critical applications, data, and services for the enterprise, regardless of the location or device used to connect. By leveraging Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), which enables users, devices, and applications to gain access to a network only if authorized, SASE can minimize the risk of cyber attacks.
For enterprises looking for a SASE solution, there are several options to choose from. Businesses can choose between a cloud-native model or a traditional vendor approach based on their needs. The former is ideal for companies that have shifted to a fully cloud-based operating model and want to simplify their security stack.
The latter suits companies that haven’t embraced the full cloud but have begun adopting cloud-based infrastructure and services. The choice of which SASE solution to go for is a crucial one that will affect the success of digital transformation initiatives and overall business agility.
Security
Companies embracing remote and hybrid work must ensure that all workers have secure access to applications. SASE enables businesses to centralize security management and control across all devices and locations. It also supports the Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) approach to offer granular control for more effective protection against cyber attacks.
By converging networking and security capabilities into a single platform, SASE solutions help businesses reduce complexity, cost, and risk without compromising performance or security. The cloud-based architecture enables enterprises to scale easily as their business expands. It also minimizes the need for hardware by allowing organizations to host security functions in colocation or telco point-of-presence (POP) facilities. It translates to significant savings on CAPEX costs and the need for dedicated in-house staff for maintenance and monitoring.
A managed SASE service delivers a best-of-breed solution with advanced security functionality, including granular visibility and control of data traffic based on entity, real-time context, and policy. It allows the IT team to address business requirements and support the evolving threat landscape. It also frees up in-house cybersecurity teams to focus on value-driven work, addressing the current talent shortage in this area. In addition, an MSP can provide other benefits such as unique solutions, network design and integration expertise, solution bundles, and more to lower overall costs.
