The Advantages of Integrating Networking and Security with SASE for Today’s Organizations

The Advantages of Integrating Networking and Security with SASE for Today’s Organizations

  • By Michael Wood
  • Nov 02, 2021

The security approaches we counted on to secure our networks and protect our IT resources against attackers are no longer up to the task. As proof, you don’t have to look far to see that some of the most devastating cyberattacks ever have occurred over the past year, with the Colonial Pipeline and SolarWinds attacks being a couple of the most well known in a long list. It is clear that the decades old platforms founded on our businesses on and their vulnerabilities exploited by today’s sophisticated attacks are contributing to existing network weaknesses. Wide-Area-Network (WAN) technology, for example, hasn’t changed much in more than 20 years.

With the integration of personal apps and business-critical apps on user devices, it is time to redesign the network for the future, but with current network foundations so established the futureproofing of our networks could prove to be a significant undertaking.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), a term Gartner introduced in 2019, has quickly become a popular and well-established solution in organizations’ journeys to update the security and functionality of their networks required in today’s work-from-anywhere environment.

SASE is the integration of networking capabilities and security solutions, along with analytics, in one unified platform – for example, the joining of software-as-a-service (SaaS) and firewall-as-a-service (FWaaS). While rapidly emerging, this approach is proving successful as organizations roll out more secure and higher performing networks.

The Post-2020 Journey 
For years, enterprises have migrated from traditional on-premises security and networking platforms to more agile solutions. The events of 2020 highlighted the new work-from-anywhere needs for organizations and accelerated this migration. The new networking and security needs of an instant remote workforce forced businesses to quickly refocus their efforts and rapidly adapt.

Traditional SD-WAN solutions have long been the popular software-defined architecture for delivering on these types of requirements, but they no longer address all challenges faced by organizations, particularly when it comes to security. The need for further evolution has opened the door for new solutions, such as SASE, to emerge to address these growing needs.

SASE Proves up To Today’s Challenges
The capabilities delivered by highly integrated and full-functions SASE solutions position organizations well in the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. Agility and flexibility are key advantages for SASE, deployed through the cloud, enabling organizations to apply security controls in any area of the network, across multiple locations. These advantages help strengthen a company’s line of defense by eliminating the risk of security gaps, deploying consistent policies and controls, as well as reducing the overall cost because organizations eliminate the need to pay for multiple solutions for each area of the network.

According to a survey earlier this year, 87% of organizations have already adopted VPNs or SASE, or are considering adopting SASE within the next year. With 32% of organizations surveyed worried about protecting the company network from security threats, it is clear how the priorities are stacking up for leaders faced with these challenges.

Not only does SASE enhance the level of network security applied, but also it ensures the required service levels of the network are met across the board. In today’s remote and work-from-anywhere environments, the ability to manage both network performance and security from a single platform proves advantageous.

The Integrated Solution Advantages
SASE is a proven approach for any organization, especially because of how easy it is to apply to the network. With just one existing SASE solution, organizations can simply expand their service to cover more areas of the company. Adopting SASE is not a major endeavor, which involves rip and replace of the entire network. Instead, teams can start small and tackle one area at a time, adding SASE services as they expand.

Awareness is critical for the progress of SASE, and it is important that organizations take the time to understand different solutions, and what is available. As it stands, according to the survey only 31% of teams can correctly define what SASE is, and 13% of organizations not deploying SASE admitted to not knowing the service’s actual benefits.

To support long-term work-from-anywhere workforces effectively, organizations need to invest in future-proof solutions that enable them to operate both physically and digitally to keep up with the changing networking and security needs of the business. One of the most important advantages organizations can leverage is not having networking management responsibilities and security as two separate entities. With advanced SASE solutions tightly integrating these functions, organizations automatically reduce the amount of time and resources needed to run them, and can instead focus on other high-priority areas of the business.

Featured

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

  • Security Today Announces 2025 CyberSecured Award Winners

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 CyberSecured Awards winners. Sixteen companies are being recognized this year for their network products and other cybersecurity initiatives that secure our world today. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.