How to Adopt SASE

SASE converges all networking and security capabilities into a single-service cloud-native, globally distributed architecture that shifts the security focus from traffic-flow-centric to identity-centric.

SASE encompasses a package of technologies that embeds security into the global network fabric so it is always available no matter where the user is, where the application or resource being accessed is, or what combination of transport technologies connects the user and the resource.

Some experts expect enterprises to adopt a hybrid approach to SASE: using existing security and networking systems, while gradually implementing SASE technology to scale to ever larger numbers of unmanaged devices, WFA users and cloud-hosted resources. By 2024, Gartner expects 40% of companies to be looking to adopt SASE strategies.

Trends Contributing to SASE Adoption

  • A sudden, large shift to WFA: Necessitated by the covid-19 pandemic response.
  • Accelerating adoption of cloud: The elastic SaaS model is ideal for small and large organizations alike. SASE moves security to the cloud where the applications live, instead of impairing performance by forcing application traffic to security enforcement points in the data center.
  • Cloud-delivered SASE is cost-effective. There are no boxes, no per-location cost, immediate availability for new users, applications or sites, and ubiquitous access from anywhere.
  • BYOD overstretched IT teams. Cloud-delivered SASE enforces a full security suite for all vulnerabilities, all devices, all access attempts, and all assets.

SASE Adoption is a Game Changer

  • Early SASE adopters will have a competitive and business advantage. This technology will have a force-multiplier effect regardless of your business area: retail, banking, healthcare, education or public sector. With SASE you can deploy better, faster, improved services at reduced cost, higher performance, and be better positioned to mitigate the new threat landscape.
  • Enterprises can easily and instantly add new services: no need to purchase, configure or deploy any boxes.
  • The barrier to entry with SASE is incredibly low. 2021 is expected to be the inflection point for SASE. For example, consider Zoom adoption in 2020: it’s a SaaS model, and so is SASE. IT can turn it on, or even an individual user can turn it on.

Tips for a Successful SASE Introduction

  • Select a SASE solution with true multitenancy and role-based policy settings; interoperability allowing integration between the SASE vendor with 3rd-party solutions; consistency between cloud and on-prem solutions.
  • Test and pilot the SASE solution with specific goals for security capabilities, integration, and performance.
  • Evaluate how the SASE solution supports your ZTNA plans and implementation.
  • Implement SASE as an integral part of your cloud migration plans.
  • Extend SASE to incorporate on-prem capabilities. SASE is critical to cloud migration objectives, but be sure not to lose sight of on-prem needs.

Start Adopting SASE Today with VSA

  • Starting with SASE is incredibly easy: A Versa Secure SD-WAN already has the initial hooks and services.
  • If you’re not yet using a Versa SD-WAN, start with the zero-trust (ZTNA) Versa Secure Access (VSA) SASE solution. Activate VSA in the cloud, like any other SaaS service: create an account, log in, get a license for 5-10 users and you’re up and running.
  • Expand by adding more services: VSA improves application performance through SD-WAN services such as remediation and FEC, selectively for particular applications, or for certain users or groups like sales or engineering. After that maybe add SWG, or FWaaS. Cloud-native SASE allows seamless insertion and migration, adding services

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SASE For Dummies

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SASE for Dummies

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