Corporate networks, working environments, and security models are becoming more complex as the paradigm shifts towards remote work. To improve their defenses against cyber threats, organizations use security frameworks like Zero Trust security and Safe Access Service Edge (SASE) to provide protection and security.
SASE framework combines various tools to shift deployment of network and security towards cloud-centric solutions. On the other hand, the Zero Trust definition elaborates that it is the model of cybersecurity that restricts implicit trust in devices, applications, or users. Understanding their differences can help your organization decide to incorporate one or both to safeguard your company network.
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
The principle of Safe Access Service Edge (SASE) is to allow cloud transformation by converging network and security towards cloud-driven solutions. By shifting the data centers towards cloud security infrastructures, SASE minimizes the complexity of ineffective working environments and provides optimized connectivity to the remote user. It implements various security components to ensure robust protection and maximum efficiency.
Core Elements
The following core components of SASE help secure resources, business data, and users on a network while providing efficient direct network access.
SD-WAN Service (SD-WAN)
Software-defined wide-area network (SD-WAN) manages networks connecting different geographical locations. However, this approach is vulnerable to threats from malicious third parties due to a lack of security. SASE combines SD-WAN with its other security features, protecting from internet latency and security issues associated with public networks.
Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)
A firewall monitors all traffic going in and out of the network, providing a barrier to prevent unauthorized malicious third parties from accessing it. As a part of the SASE framework, FWaaS makes it easier for organizations to manage the security of their network by easily finding any anomalies in their network traffic.
Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
These web gateways protect organizations from dangerous sites on the web, such as phishing sites, to protect network security. SASE offers this threat inspection as a part of the security framework.
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
CASB is a secure connection tool that helps ensure organization security for services that are out of their network. It is an intermediary between SASE applications and users to enforce protection policies.
Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
The Zero Trust model ensures that no user is trusted to access any resource unless authorized.
Even users permitted to access one aspect of the network require re-authentication to access the other areas. The control based on “least privilege” effectively provides security independent of the network. The SASE model also supports the ZTNA approach to network security.
Benefits of Safe Access Service Edge Framework
Some benefits associated with utilizing SASE for your organization are:
- Security solution with low complexity and cost
- Setting custom policies through the cloud-based management framework
- Simplified authentication process
- SASE supports Zero Trust networking
- Saving organization resources wasted on deployment and maintenance
- Presence of a single cloud-based platform combining various network infrastructures
- Consistent security provided by the service provider against old and newly discovered cyberattacks
Zero Trust Security
Zero Trust is a security strategy to restrict implicit trust on devices, applications, or users. It implies that every connection should be authenticated and authorized regardless of its network source. It also limits access to resources and only allows the minimum required to do the job effectively.
Modern enterprises are now using the hybrid cloud as a preeminent platform. Defining and securing network perimeters in today’s complex working environments is impossible. Zero Trust security ensures that only authorized users access all organizational resources when incorporated into the security system.
According to Forbes, a general Zero Trust principle is “No one should have automatic access to anything.” The Zero Trust security model is based on the following principles:
- Never trust, always verify
- Implement least privileges
- Assume breach and build response plans
Core Elements
The core elements that comprise Zero Trust security are:
Identity Management
Identity management is an element of Zero Trust security that ensures that every connection accessing your network is verified. All individuals, users, and devices must be identified before allowing access. It combines tools like SSO, two-factor authentication, and biometrics.
Network Segmentation
Micro-segmentation of the organization’s network ensures that even If a malicious third party gains access to one data segment, the whole server is not compromised. Zero Trust implements this component by allowing access to specific segments based on privileges.
Access Controls
In a Zero Trust framework, access is evaluated for accessing the network, but access controls are also implemented on each layer and segment basis. The concept of least privilege is used only to allow users access to limited server segments based on their job.
Network Security
Zero Trust assumes that the malicious user has already infiltrated the network. Thus, each activity is re-accessed, re-authenticated, and re-authorized to ensure minimal damage, even if a third party has infiltrated.
Benefits of Zero Trust Security Architecture
Some benefits associated with utilizing Zero Trust security architecture are:
- User activity visibility on the network and malicious threat detection
- Automated privilege and access management lowers the need for human resources
- Prevent cyberattacks and the resulting damage from ones that do happen by reducing the threat surface
Different Sides of the Same Shield
Some factors of the Zero Trust security framework, like Zero Trust Network Access, are also core components of SASE. Both are security-targeted systems; SASE is a vast security model that requires more resources to incorporate and provides improved security measures focused on various factors like firewalls and gateways. On the other hand, Zero Trust security is an easy-to-incorporate framework focused on access and identity management of all users accessing the server. Businesses can implement Zero Trust security without transitioning to SASE, which comprises various factors to ensure network connectivity and security.
Conclusion
SASE and Zero Trust are security frameworks that protect an organization’s data server from malicious third parties. Zero Trust incorporates identity, access management, and micro-segmentation to ensure server security. SASE combines various self-contained components such as SD-WAN, firewall as a service, cloud access security broker, and Zero Trust Network Access to provide a robust cloud network and security solution for organizations. Choosing either framework depends entirely on an organization’s policies and security requirements.
