The typical enterprise computing environment looks very different than it did even five years ago. Users expect to access applications and resources from everywhere, using a variety of devices. Software as a Service (SaaS) is now practically the norm for several key workloads and applications. And everyone expects outstanding performance, no matter when or where they log in.

The modern enterprise is a widely distributed hybrid computing environment serving a geographically dispersed workforce. What’s more, increased cooperation and data interdependence with vendors and partners means more users and organizations need frictionless access to your information and resources. Performance expectations are higher than ever. So is the complexity of securing an environment with so many entry points.

Clearly, conventional network security measures and tools can’t secure these kinds of dynamic environments efficiently. That’s why SASE (secure access service edge) is emerging as the standard architectural approach for balancing performance, agility, and risk management in the modern enterprise.

By leveraging cloud-native technologies and pushing security inspection and policy enforcement as close as possible to the edges of the enterprise, SASE offers protection while ensuring more efficient and streamlined connectivity. If application and network performance is a priority for you, SASE needs to be part of your strategy.

Protecting a jagged edge

Gone are the days when there was a clear delineation between “access” and “remote access” to networks and company resources. Users, content, and resources are now decentralized, so all access is remote access—and it happens anytime, anywhere, on a multitude of devices. That decentralized interface is what constitutes “the edge.” It’s a long, complex border that’s hard to patrol.

A SASE architecture comprises more than 20 functions that work together to provide security across all of an enterprise’s edges, from outside subcontractors to APIs. It combines network architecture approaches (SD-WAN, VPN, etc.) with security capabilities (SWG, NGFW, etc.), and disperses those functions out to the edge of the network. It also simplifies and standardizes routing across those different edges, eliminating costly and non-performant backhaul of network traffic for the purpose of security inspection. The result is more efficient and consistent connectivity, which improves application performance and the overall user experience.

Four ways SASE can benefit your enterprise

1. Better performance for users: SASE streamlines connectivity and eliminates bottlenecks at the centralized security center to deliver responsive and seamless user experiences.
2. Business agility and scalability: SASE services are cloud-based, which means you can easily expand, adapt, or contract resources without major investments.
3. Distributed security: SASE provides consistent security across the whole enterprise, including multiple SaaS applications and access points outside the network (such as the ones used by vendors and partners).
4. Streamlined management: A well-designed SASE architecture combines many edge-located services into a single interface for simplified management and control.

Let’s start with your goals

SASE isn’t one-size fits all. Stratascale’s consultancy-first approach and expert strategists will help you design and implement a SASE architecture and roadmap to meet your specific business objectives and support your long-term goals. We always start with the end in mind.

In addition, SASE’s many component functions mean there are a lot of technology choices to make. Some providers that claim to be a “SASE company” really only offer certain pieces of a large process. It’s imperative to know what providers are truly selling because companies can do many different things under the wide SASE umbrella.

Stratascale helps you objectively assess and navigate vendor relationships, products, workflows, and deployment processes so you can make confident decisions. We can provide insight on how specific solutions line up with what you care about, combining a granular, close-up review with our high-level strategic guidance.

Reach out to Stratascale today to learn how a SASE strategy can boost your enterprise agility and performance, protect your business, and support rapidly changing business needs.