How SASE Helps Automate Modern Network Security Architecture

Cloud services, mobile technologies, edge computing and distributed workforces have effectively erased the traditional network perimeter. While such innovations enable increased agility, flexibility and productivity, they also make a mess of conventional network security practices.

Connecting all these highly distributed resources creates a dramatically expanded attack surface with countless new vulnerabilities. According to various security analysts, there’s a new ransomware attack every 11 seconds. More than 300,000 new malicious programs are detected daily, and the annual cost of cybercrime now exceeds $8 trillion.

Safeguarding against such an onslaught of threats is an overwhelming task, particularly considering the ongoing cybersecurity skills shortage. Data suggests there were more than 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide in 2023.

Increasing Responsiveness with SASE

Securing modern networks requires a new approach. The sheer volume and sophistication of today’s threats require a level of responsiveness and agility that can only be achieved through automation. One of the ways organizations are increasing security automation is with Secure Access Service Edge (SASE).

SASE (pronounced “sassy”) combines a variety of networking and security tools into a unified, cloud-native service that delivers secure access for the data center, remote and home offices, mobile users and beyond. It simplifies the security of distributed computing environments by allowing IT administrators to centrally set and manage security policies for all areas of the network.

How SASE Leverages Automation

While SASE is not a specific automation tool, it often involves the implementation of various automated and cloud-native technologies to deliver its services. Key components of SASE such as SD-WAN, cloud security and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) often leverage automation to provide efficient and adaptive security solutions. Here are some ways in which SASE incorporates automation:

• Dynamic network routing: SD-WAN often uses automation to dynamically route network traffic based on real-time conditions, such as network performance, congestion and security policies.
• Zero trust principles: SASE typically follows zero trust principles, which involve continuous verification of the trustworthiness of users and devices. Automation is used to enforce access policies and adapt to changes in user behavior or security postures.
• Identity and access management (IAM): Within the SASE framework, IAM automation greatly enhances user authentication and authorization processes. Automated IAM systems enforce consistent access policies across an organization, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and streamlining compliance.
• Security orchestration: SASE platforms may leverage security orchestration to automate incident response and remediation. This involves automating the execution of predefined security workflows in response to security events.
• Cloud-native security services: SASE often involves the use of cloud-native security services, which are inherently designed to be elastic and scalable. Automation is a key feature in cloud services, allowing them to adapt to changing conditions and scale resources dynamically.
• Threat intelligence and analytics: SASE solutions can incorporate automated threat intelligence feeds and analytics to detect and respond to emerging security threats. This helps in making real-time decisions based on the latest threat information.
• Edge security: Automated tools enforce security policies consistently across distributed edge devices, ensuring uniform defense against cyber threats. This includes real-time monitoring of network traffic, rapid identification of anomalies, and automated responses to potential security breaches.
• Network segmentation: Network segmentation breaks up the network into smaller, isolated parts to prevent ransomware and other malware from propagating throughout the network. SASE automates the process by dynamically applying security policies based on user identity, device attributes and contextual information.

While SASE itself is a framework rather than a specific automation tool, it facilitates the use of automation to provide the type of dynamic, scalable and adaptive security solutions that today’s organizations require. The cybersecurity team at Technologent has the expertise and resources to help organizations make the transition from traditional manual security practices. Contact us to set up a complimentary consultation.