Delivering a Seamless Network & Security Experience with SASE

As remote and hybrid models become the more popular model in the modern workforce, IT environments have needed to evolve significantly to attempt to support users who are more mobile than ever. Applications are no longer centralized, with organizations leveraging cloud-hosted, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) solutions in tandem with on-premises infrastructure. This sprawl has resulted in networks becoming increasingly complex, resulting in disparate connections, duplicated security protocols, and more.

This kind of digital landscape makes delivering a seamless and trusted IT experience more critical than ever. Businesses must ensure users can securely and efficiently connect to the applications and data they need, regardless of whether they’re working from home, in office, or on the go. But what defines a seamless and trusted IT experience? Ultimately, it comes down to three key components: 

• Seamless connectivity – Ensuring users can reliably access resources without disruption. 
• Security and protection – Safeguarding sensitive data and applications from cyber threats. 
• Visibility – Gaining insights into network performance and security to enforce policies effectively. 

Enter SASE—a technology framework that prioritizes and delivers all three.  

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a modern framework that integrates networking and security into a unified cloud-delivered service. It combines two primary structures: 

• Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) 
• Security Service Edge (SSE)

SD-WAN is a technology that optimizes and simplifies network connectivity across multiple locations. It enables organizations to: 

• Improve application performance by dynamically selecting the best network path based on real-time conditions. 
• Enhance network agility by allowing centralized management of connectivity policies and configurations. 
• Reduce costs by leveraging cost-effective broadband and direct internet connections instead of expensive traditional MPLS circuits. 

SSE provides the security layer of SASE, ensuring users and devices securely access applications and data regardless of location. Key features of SSE include: 

• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) – Enforces identity-based access control and ensures least-privileged access to applications. 
• Secure Web Gateway (SWG) – Protects users from web-based threats by filtering malicious content and enforcing security policies. 
• Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) – Monitors and secures interactions between users and cloud applications, ensuring data protection and compliance. 
• Cloud Delivered Firewall (CDFW) – Delivers cloud-based firewall protection, eliminating the need for traditional on-premises firewalls. 
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP) – Prevents unauthorized access and exfiltration of sensitive data across networks and applications. 

How SD-WAN and SSE Come Together 

SD-WAN and SSE work together to form a robust SASE architecture. While SD-WAN ensures optimized and seamless connectivity, SSE secures the traffic flowing through these networks. This integration provides organizations with a scalable, cloud-native solution that supports hybrid workforces and modern application environments. By combining SD-WAN and SSE, IT teams can enforce consistent security policies, enhance performance, and gain visibility across the entire network. 

Use Cases for SASE 

Secure Remote Worker 

SASE enhances remote workforce security by: 

• Enabling identity-based secure access for remote users. 
• Applying Zero Trust policies that enforce least-privileged access to resources. 
• Providing visibility into network traffic and user connectivity for proactive threat management. 

Secure Internet Edge 

For organizations with branch offices and distributed teams, SASE provides a secure internet edge by: 

• Connecting branches and users securely to public and private cloud resources. 
• Enforcing consistent security policies across all locations. 
• Reducing complexity by integrating networking and security into a single, cloud-delivered framework. 

As organizations continue to navigate the complexities of modern networking and security, SASE emerges as a transformative solution. By integrating SD-WAN and SSE, organizations can achieve a seamless and trusted user experience while maintaining robust security and visibility. Whether securing remote workers or protecting the internet edge, SASE provides the flexibility and scalability needed for today’s digital enterprise. 

To learn more about how SASE can help simplify your IT operations, join our team at RSM for an informative and engaging webinar on April 15th! Review the learning objectives of the event and register here. For additional questions on SASE and how it might benefit your organization, don’t hesitate to reach out to Derrek Atherley (Derrek.Atherley@rsmus.com) or Cody Jordan (Cody.Jordan@rsmus.com). You can also explore RSM’s additional Cisco network solutions, from SASE to advanced collaboration architecture here.  

Derrek Atherley

Derrek Atherley provides network engineering and architecture consultation services to a variety of industries. While having technical experience in all areas, his main focus is on transport technologies which includes routing, switching, wireless, and network management. He has a strong grasp on designing and implementing cloud migration strategies. In his current role, Derrek delivers consultation regarding LAN/WAN/SD-WAN design and implementation. With his skillset, he is frequently involved with network assessments to assist with aligning technologies to business strategies. He has in-depth experience with network monitoring which helps baseline networks and resolve outages quickly and effectively. Derrek understands challenges IT departments face from a technical and management perspective and delivers solutions on how to best resolve them.

Contact our team to learn more!