SASE, or Secure Access Service Edge, is a cloud-based service model that helps secure Wide Area Networks (WAN) with cybersecurity tools. This primarily allows for organizations to secure their out-of-office networks and protect important data.

The SASE model of cybersecurity was developed in 2020. So, why has it become a buzzword now? The answer lies in the cultural shift to hybrid working models.

Ever since the post-Covid hybrid models appeared, organizations across India have adopted them without a second thought. But, without the right security measures, there have been many data breaches for employees working from unmanaged devices.

What Does SASE Provide?

SASE necessarily combines a number of existing cybersecurity options to create a package that suits the needs of any organization working with remote employees. Its offerings include Firewall (as-a-service), Cloud Access Security Broker, and Zero Trust access controls and various other cloud security options to any WAN server.

Each one of its offerings serves a crucial purpose, from reducing latency across global networks to setting up access-based perimeters for all connected to data sources, making SASE a comprehensive solution for all data security issues.

Added to this, SASE modules ensure a great level of flexibility and scalability. For modern organizations working with a hybrid workforce, this becomes a must-have for various reasons. SASE solutions are completely cloud-based, so using them can reduce overall data protection costs as well.

What Does The Industry Have To Say?

A recent report conducted by Fortinet in the Asia-Pacific region shows that industry leaders are opting for single-vendor SASE solutions as their go-to option. The survey shows that a large number of Indian organizations work with at least half their workforce in remote mode, and as a result, there exists a large number of unmanaged devices.

Further research showed that almost 80% of organizations have faced one form of security issue or another in the recent past. So, having a single vendor on board to create a security measure is something that almost all organizational leaders are opting for. SASE has arrived as the champion in this scenario and created a sustainable method of data protection for remote employees.

The Vice President of Sales, India, SEAHK & ANZ at Fortinet states in the report, “It is essential that we acknowledge the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber-attacks and data breaches. A Single-Vendor SASE solution simplifies security policy management and enhances the user experience for remote employees, helping Indian businesses address the security challenges of the changing workforce.”

SASE Will Further Growth In The Coming Decade

Cybercrime has developed to become a highly innovative playing field. Almost every form of attack that is occurring is new in its methodology.

SASE has the capability to reduce the chances of cyber breaches, and considering the amount of data that the Indian IT segment is producing, it is the need of the hour. There is however the downside of the transition to the SASE model being a time-consuming process.