Secure access service edge, or SASE (pronounced ‘sassy,’), is a framework defined by Gartner in 2019 as a way to securely connect entities, such as users and machines, to applications and services-from anywhere. SASE combines wide-area networking (WAN) capabilities with security functions, such as SWG, CASB, FWaaS, and ZTNA, into a single cloud-based solution that’s delivered as a service. Services are delivered at the ‘edge’ of a distributed cloud architecture, pushing them as close as possible to users for a fast experience with the fewest hops. At a time when workers are increasingly working remotely and off the corporate network, SASE assists organizations in making a secure, seamless transition to the cloud from legacy hardware in data centers, while securing access to cloud applications and reducing costs.
A secure access service edge (SASE) is technology used to deliver wide area network (WAN) and security controls as a cloud computing service directly to the source of connection (user, device, Internet of things (IoT) device, or edge computing location) rather than a data center. It uses cloud and edge computing technologies to reduce the latency that results from backhauling all WAN traffic over long distances to one or a few corporate data centers, due to the increased movement off-premises of dispersed users and their applications. This also helps organizations support dispersed users and their devices with digital transformation and application modernization initiatives.
Security is based on digital identity, real-time context, and company and regulatory compliance policies, rather than a security appliance like a firewall. A digital identity may be attached to anything from a person to a device, cloud service, application software, IoT system, or any computing system.
The term was coined in 2019 by marketing analyst firm Gartner.
