What is Secure Access Service Edge?

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a term coined by Gartner to describe cybersecurity solutions that provide converged network and security features into a single, cloud-delivered service model. As workforces, applications, and data are now so often operating and residing outside traditional corporate perimeters, the advantages of SASE are becoming increasingly attractive to operations of all sizes. 

SASE integrates several critical networking and security functions—including secure web gateways (SWG), software defined wide area networking  (SDWAN), firewall as a service (FWaaS), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)—into a unified cloud-based service. This convergence allows organizations to securely connect users, devices, and applications from any location, enhancing security while simplifying network management.

1. Network Connectivity Simplification: SASE integrates services like Software-Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) and WAN-as-a-Service (WANaaS) to seamlessly connect various networks into a unified corporate network. This approach optimizes network performance, enhances connectivity, and reduces costs.
2. Comprehensive Security Services: SASE applies a range of security services to all network traffic, both inbound and outbound, to secure user and device access, defend against cyber threats, and protect sensitive data. This includes capabilities like Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS) and ZTNA.
3. Operational Excellence: SASE offers robust operational services, including platform-wide capabilities for network monitoring and logging. These features provide deep visibility into network activity and simplify management, making it easier to maintain and secure the network.
4. Policy-Driven Control: At the core of SASE is a powerful policy engine that manages contextual attributes and security rules. This engine ensures that policies are consistently applied across all connected services, enabling precise control over network and security operations.
5. Edge-to-Edge Security: SASE extends its security framework to cover the entire network edge, protecting users and devices wherever they are—whether in a corporate office, at a remote site, or on the move.

Traditional Networking and Security Models

Historically, enterprise networks were built on the assumption that most resources, users, and applications were located within a central data center. This led to the development of perimeter-based security, where all network traffic was funneled through a central hub for inspection before reaching its destination.

Drawbacks of Traditional Models:

• Inefficiency: As enterprises adopted cloud services and remote work became prevalent, routing traffic back to a central data center (backhauling) introduced latency and degraded user experience.
• Complexity: The traditional model requires multiple disparate solutions to manage networking and security, resulting in complexity and a lack of unified visibility.
• Limited Scalability: Traditional security appliances, such as firewalls and VPNs, are not designed to scale easily with the needs of modern, cloud-centric enterprises.

Advantages of SASE Over Traditional Approaches:

1. Reduced Latency and Improved Performance: By integrating networking and security services in the cloud, SASE eliminates the need for backhauling traffic to a central data center. This reduces latency, improves application performance, and enhances user experience.
2. Scalability and Flexibility: SASE is inherently scalable, built on cloud-native architectures. Organizations can easily scale their networking and security services as their needs evolve without significant infrastructure investments.
3. Simplified Management: SASE’s centralized management model reduces the complexity of managing multiple point solutions. IT teams gain unified visibility and control over the entire network, streamlining operations and improving security posture.
4. Enhanced Security and Risk Reduction: SASE’s identity-driven access controls, coupled with its integration of advanced security services, provide a comprehensive and adaptive security framework. This reduces the risk of breaches and ensures consistent application of security policies across the network.

The Unique Challenges of OT Security

Operational Technology (OT) environments manage critical infrastructure and industrial processes, such as manufacturing systems, energy management, and building automation. These environments are increasingly connected to corporate IT networks and the broader internet, exposing them to new and increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity risks.

Challenges in OT Security:

• Legacy Systems: Many OT systems are outdated and lack built-in security features, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks.
• Interoperability Issues: OT networks often comprise a mix of legacy and modern systems, leading to interoperability challenges and security gaps.
• High Availability Requirements: OT systems must operate continuously without interruption, making traditional security measures—such as regular patching and updating—difficult to implement.

How SASE Supports OT Security

1. Edge-to-Edge Security for Distributed Environments: SASE extends security to the network’s edge, which is critical in OT environments where devices and systems are distributed across multiple locations. This ensures that security policies are enforced consistently, regardless of where OT assets are located.
2. Seamless Integration with Legacy Systems: SASE’s cloud-based model allows for the integration of modern security services without requiring extensive changes to existing OT infrastructure. This is particularly important where legacy systems cannot be easily replaced or updated.
3. Support for High Availability: SASE’s architecture supports continuous operation by providing secure, resilient connectivity that can be managed and monitored centrally. This reduces the risk of downtime and ensures that critical OT systems remain operational.
4. Remote Access and Granular Access Control: SASE incorporates ZTNA, enforcing granular, identity-based access controls. In OT environments, where only authorized personnel and devices should interact with critical systems, SASE minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and potential disruptions by implementing least privilege access.

In smart buildings, OT systems such as HVAC, lighting, and security controls often require IT network connection, creating a complex and vulnerable environment. SASE manages this complexity by providing a unified framework that secures both IT and OT systems.

For example, SASE can:

• Secure IoT Devices: IoT devices in smart buildings, such as sensors and actuators, are vulnerable entry points for cyberattacks. SASE ensures these devices are securely connected and that all data traffic is inspected and controlled.
• Protect Building Management Systems (BMS): BMS platforms, which manage critical building operations, are prime targets for cyberattacks. SASE protects these systems by enforcing strict access controls and monitoring all network traffic for suspicious activity.

SASE and ZTNA are complementary frameworks that, when combined, provide a comprehensive security solution for modern networks:

• Identity-Driven Access: ZTNA’s principle of “never trust, always verify” is central to SASE. SASE uses identity-based access controls to ensure that all users and devices are authenticated before they can access network resources.
• Micro-Segmentation: SASE supports micro-segmentation, a key component of ZTNA. This ensures that even if one part of the network is compromised, the rest of the network remains secure.
• Continuous Monitoring: SASE includes continuous monitoring capabilities, essential for detecting and responding to threats in real-time, aligning with ZTNA’s focus on continuous verification and threat detection.

SASE represents a significant advancement in cybersecurity, especially for Operational Technology (OT), where traditional security models are becoming alarmingly inadequate. By integrating networking and security into a single cloud-delivered service, SASE offers a scalable, flexible, and efficient solution for securing distributed and complex environments. 

In the OT context, SASE not only enhances security by supporting ZTNA principles but also addresses the unique challenges posed by legacy systems and the need for high availability. As OT environments continue to evolve and become more interconnected, adopting SASE is critical for maintaining a robust security posture and ensuring the continued safe operation of critical infrastructure. Neeve’s Secure Edge platform integrates these advanced SASE capabilities to provide comprehensive protection and connectivity tailored for your operational needs.