SASE
You might have heard of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). But what exactly is SASE, and why is it important for modern businesses?
Coined by Gartner in 2019, SASE (pronounced “sassy”) is the next generation of cybersecurity and networking. It proposes a cloud-based approach to securing wide area networks (WAN) and distributed workforces. Instead of relying on traditional firewalls and VPNs, SASE combines cloud-native architecture, identity-driven access, and zero-trust security policies to protect data wherever it’s accessed.
How SASE Works
At its core, SASE combines the following elements:
- A global SD-WAN footprint for high-performance connectivity
- Distributed inspection and policy enforcement across Points of Presence (PoPs)
- Cloud-native architecture that scales globally
- Identity-driven access instead of IP-based access
This means businesses can connect employees, devices, and offices to a secure global network—with inspection, control, and security policies enforced closer to the end user.
Why Businesses Need SASE
Companies no longer rely on a single corporate data center. Today’s teams are distributed across satellite offices, remote workforces, and cloud-based environments. Traditional VPNs and firewalls weren’t built for this reality.
SASE eliminates these limitations by:
- Placing the cloud, not the data center, at the core of the network
- Enforcing zero trust policies for every user and device
- Encrypting, anonymizing, and inspecting all traffic
- Converging networking and security functions into a single, cloud-native solution
This delivers stronger security, lower latency, and more granular control over user access and policies.
Advanced Security Features of SASE
Unlike VPNs that expose your network once a connection is established, SASE enforces protection end-to-end. Features include:
- Secure DNS: Prevents malware domains and phishing attempts
- Intrusion Prevention & Detection: Monitors for threats, abnormal behavior, and exploits
- Malicious URL Defense: Blocks dangerous links and content
- SSL Inspection: Identifies hidden threats within encrypted traffic
- Malware Scanning: Scans downloads before they hit your network
- SIEM Integration: Aggregates logs and alerts for better visibility and faster forensics
Benefits of SASE Security
- Universal Protection: Every edge and every user receives the same security level
- Reduced Costs: Cloud-based solutions cut down on appliances, patching, and hardware costs
- Scalability: Deploy in hours instead of weeks with a single application controlling policies and routing
- Business Continuity: Global PoPs keep policies enforced even during outages or failures
- Improved Performance: Private backbone and traffic optimization reduce latency
- Convergence of Security and Networking: One cloud platform handles routing, VPN, SD-WAN, and security
SASE vs. Traditional Data Centers
Traditional networks route remote users through a central VPN and firewall, often creating latency and new risks. SASE replaces this with a cloud-first model that distributes access and security globally. This allows employees to connect securely from anywhere without bottlenecks.
Ready to Secure Your Business with SASE?
IntermixIT is proud to be one of the first MSPs in the region to offer SASE in partnership with Todyl. Our cybersecurity services include next-generation protection such as SASE, along with managed IT services, supplemental IT services, 24/7 IT support, and data backup and recovery solutions.
We serve businesses in Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Lebanon, Reading, Allentown, Hershey, West Chester, Carlisle, and Philadelphia with advanced IT and security solutions.
FAQs: Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
What does SASE stand for?
Secure Access Service Edge. It combines cloud-based networking and security in a single architecture.
How is SASE different from a VPN?
VPNs connect users to a central data center, often creating latency and new risks. SASE distributes security globally, enforcing zero trust policies at the edge.
Who benefits most from SASE?
Organizations with remote workers, multiple offices, or cloud-based operations benefit the most from SASE’s scalability and global security model.
