SASE vs. Zero Trust Security For Enterprises

Many businesses worldwide have prioritized Zero Trust and SASE because business models have abruptly changed to accommodate a remote workforce, increasing attack surfaces. SASE outlines a solution’s criteria to provide secure access at the edge, but Zero Trust requires more than a single technical solution. Zero Trust is an enterprise-wide strategy to reduce business risk, whereas SASE offers vendors guidance to develop future-proof security solutions.

Based on Gartner’s SASE report, businesses may believe that installing SASE also necessitates implementing Zero Trust. Even though companies want to combine the two, they must first identify their similarities and, more importantly, how they complement one another. For more details, visit https://nordlayer.com/sase/.

SASE vs. Zero Trust Security

Understanding the operational features of each solution is necessary to comprehend the similarities and differences between SASE and Zero Trust.

SASE stands for Secure Access Service Edge, a cloud-specific security architecture. The SASE approach to cloud security avoids data centers in favor of cloud network architectures that provide enough and the best connectivity for remote users to access organizational cloud resources.

Zero Trust is a cybersecurity solution that eliminates implicit Trust from your security architecture. Because ZTNA focuses on safe listing capabilities, it is regarded as an integral component of SASE. The benefits of Zero Trust security are numerous, but it can only be practical for an organization if implemented throughout its entire network architecture.

SASE vs. Zero Trust: Similarities & Differences

Let’s examine these two options’ key similarities and differences so you can decide with knowledge of their concepts in mind.

Similarities

1. Access is Granted Using a Digital ID

Digital ID

The first similarity between the two systems is that both SASE and Zero Trust grant access based on a user’s digital identity. However, depending on the solution, access is granted in different ways. Under “Zero Trust,” you must constantly confirm your users’ identities for each system access. SASE determines which larger-scale access policy applies to the user based on identity.

2. Continual Monitoring

monitor data usage

Continuous authentication is a feature offered by SASE and Zero Trust. Users will be given access to these solutions based on their work needs and the information required to meet them. When you use a VPN to secure your perimeter, a user has full access to your system once they enter the network. SASE or Zero Trust does not support such unrestricted access.

3. Context Governs Access

Access

Finally, both SASE and Zero Trust employ dynamic user access limitations. With SASE, you can monitor an entire user session and assess risk based on the user’s actions. Zero Trust allows you to grant access to users, similar to JIT access, enabling them to access specific data only when they need it.

Differences

SASE

The fundamental distinctions between SASE and Zero Trust can be found in the key components of each system. Let’s begin with SASE’s foundational principles:

  1. Web Gateway Security: An apparatus that serves as a filter between a user and a website, restricting access to particular websites and fostering data security.
  2. SD-WAN service: A program that extends the reach of your network connections and automates traffic steering per organizational goals. An SD-WAN facilitates WAN design and boosts network security.
  3. Access to a Zero Trust: SASE still adheres to Zero Trust principles even though it has more components. It is the main difference between the two systems.
  4. Cloud Access Security Broker: A piece of on-premises software that links your company and the cloud service provider.
  5. Firewall as a Service: You can set up your firewall using a cloud-based service thanks to a technology called FWaaS.

Zero Trust

After examining the SASE components, let’s examine the fundamental Zero Trust components.

  1. Administration of Networks and Applications:
    The practices and guidelines your company has to limit data access.
  2. Micro-segmentation:
    Establish system access for your employees per their access requirements and job duties.
  3. Analysis and Automation:
    Advanced tools can automate important procedures, reverse undesirable changes, and filter alarms while maintaining security.
  4. Identity confirmation:
    Users’ identities are continually verified as they navigate the system and access your data.

Why Adopt a Zero Trust Strategy for SASE Implementation?

It is highly advantageous to implement the SASE with Zero Trust. The following are the reasons for combining both strategies:

1. Security Based on Perimeters is Useless in Today’s Organization

Modern businesses are built on digital technologies, which render dated cybersecurity methods based on perimeters obsolete. There are no longer any parameters defining the edge of the security enforcement area. Zero-Trust security is applied in this case. It follows the least privileges principle, which makes sure that each user only has a certain amount of access to the entire system. It consequently records and validates each request for access to various network areas.

2. Shared Security Accountability is Essential for Cloud Data Servers

Cloud-storage

Businesses prefer hybrid or public cloud solutions over corporate-owned data centers when storing sensitive data. This necessitates rethinking dated trust presumptions regarding protocols, expertise, and data center security technologies. The new cloud architecture states that the organization and the cloud provider provide and maintain security. A zero-trust security architecture may be the foundation for shared cybersecurity responsibility.

3. Cybersecurity is a Concern for the Authorities

Online crimes now include more than just cyberattacks. Nuclear power plants, financial information, government networks, elections, and military stockpiles are just a few of the targets that cybercriminals choose to attack. As a result, it follows that trustworthy cybersecurity solutions are necessary at all societal and governmental levels. Governmental organizations and multinational corporations benefit significantly from the zero trust security architecture’s improvement of cyber resilience, which aids in preventing security breaches.

4. Online Usage is Becoming Less Secure

Today, everyone uses a cloud network to access programs and data from a distance. It is impossible to hack into or interfere with internet networks. As a result, most businesses no longer have success thwarting attackers with visibility solutions and network perimeter security. Zero Trust is based on ideas like “always-verify” and “least privilege,” which give data centers and the cloud visibility of the entire network.

5. APTs’ Complexity is Escalating

By utilizing cutting-edge technology, cyber criminals cause the most damage. All governmental, social, financial, and physical systems are affected by cyberattacks. Simple phishing scams that were easy to spot and stop are no longer used. And to make matters worse, they can circumvent perimeter security measures. They can only be found using micro-segmentation and Zero Trust security techniques.

Conclusion

SASE and Zero Trust integration enable businesses to enforce policy across their entire network. Combining these two strategies can help companies strengthen their cybersecurity perimeter, making it harder for malicious actors to breach it. SASE and ZTNA can assist you in lowering the risk of data breaches and the attack surface. Numerous significant benefits are provided by this strategy, including improved network security, streamlined network management, lower costs, and a single view of the entire network. This makes it possible to ensure that users and machines only have access to the tools required to complete their tasks and that only authorized individuals and devices can access sensitive data and systems.

I hope this tutorial helped you to know about the SASE vs. Zero Trust Security for Enterprise. If you want to say anything, let us know through the comment sections. If you like this article, please share it and follow WhatVwant on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube for more Technical tips.

SASE vs. Zero Trust Security for Enterprise – FAQs

Is Zero trust the same as SASE?

Zero Trust is a business scheme to circumvent security threats to the network, whereas SASE provides management for entrepreneurs to design robust security solutions for the future.

What is the difference between CASB and SASE?

SASE(Secure Access Service Edge) and CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) are two new strategies in the enterprise security landscape. SASE combines network security functions with wide-area network (WAN) capabilities. CASB focuses on securing access to cloud-based applications and services.

Does SASE replace VPN?

SASE creates a global private network for your company, replacing the legacy VPN.

Is Palo Alto SASE?

Palo Alto Networks Prisma SASE is the industry’s most complete SASE solution, converging network security, SD-WAN, and Autonomous Digital Experience Management into a single cloud-delivered service.

What is the SASE model?

SASE is a cloud architecture model that bundles network and security-as-a-service functions together and delivers them as a single cloud service.

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