SASE in 2024: How enterprises have benefitted from this model

South African enterprises face a particular challenge; they need to protect a geographically distributed workforce against an ever-expanding attack surface. Traditional cyber security models, which are frequently siloed and perimeter-focused, struggle to keep up with these emerging threats.

This is where secure access service edge (SASE) emerges as a noteworthy security paradigm. SASE is a cloud-based, integrated security solution that combines networking and security capabilities. It brings security services like Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) closer to users and resources, regardless of physical location.

Why SASE matters to enterprises

This distributed cyber security and networking model offers various benefits for South African enterprises. According to a recent Gartner survey, 40% of South African companies have implemented or are planning to deploy SASE solutions. This developing tendency indicates the tremendous improvement in security posture that SASE provides.

It reduces attack vectors and safeguards access to cloud applications and resources by implementing comprehensive access layer security. SASE also improves the user experience by eliminating the requirement for sophisticated backhauling of traffic to central security gateways. This leads to a more smooth and responsive user experience for employees, particularly those who work remotely.

SASE is built around a centralised management console that simplifies security policy enforcement and network administration for IT teams. This enables them to focus on more strategic efforts and the core of their jobs - protecting the enterprise against a multitude of threats.

Lastly, SASE eliminates the need for costly, on-premise security hardware. Additionally, the cloud-based paradigm results in decreased operational costs for South African businesses. This model is a modern approach to enterprise networking and security, so South African companies need to consider it seriously.

Setting up a SASE network

While the advantages of SASE are apparent, establishing an effective architecture requires meticulous planning. Here is a breakdown of the main components of a SASE network:

1) Secure Web Gateway (SWG) - This serves as the first line of defence, filtering web traffic for malware, phishing attempts, and other potential dangers.

2) The Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) - This safeguards access to cloud applications while also ensuring compliance with corporate security standards.

3) Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) - This eliminates the concept of implicit trust by verifying each user and device before allowing access to resources.

4) SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) - This optimises network traffic flow and provides dependable connectivity for users in several locations.

Key trends impacting SASE in 2024 and beyond

As SASE evolves, several major trends shape the future of this security model. Convergence with cloud security solutions is becoming more commonplace. SASE and cloud security solutions will become even more tightly integrated, providing a unified platform for managing enterprise security.

Companies are also starting to focus on user and application security. As the attack surface grows with the proliferation of software-as-a-service (SaaS) apps, user and application security will become increasingly important in SASE solutions.

As with many other IT services, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are being integrated into SASE models. Automation of threat detection, response, and investigation inside SASE systems will rely heavily on AI in the near future.

The future of SASE in South Africa appears bright. As cyber risks evolve, SASE will become a critical component of company security plans. SEACOM is devoted to assisting South African businesses in navigating the SASE ecosystem. We provide comprehensive SASE solutions and consulting services to help businesses design, deploy, and manage a resilient security and networking architecture that is tailored to your specific requirements.

By adopting SASE, South African enterprises may achieve a new level of security, simplify network management, and enable their employees to collaborate securely from anywhere. SEACOM is your reliable partner for ensuring this becomes a reality. For more information about our networking and security solutions or to get a quote, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.

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