The rise of remote work, the increasing adoption of cloud services, and the sophistication of cyber threats have highlighted the limitations of traditional security approaches. To navigate this complex landscape, companies are turning to more adaptive and integrated models. SASE and ZTNA represent two such models, each with its complementary role in protecting digital assets.
Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), pronounced "sassy," is a network and security architecture for enterprises introduced by Gartner in 2019. Gartner defines SASE as an approach that delivers converged network and security capabilities as a service, including SD-WAN, secure web gateway (SWG), cloud access security broker (CASB), next-generation firewall (NGFW), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). SASE is primarily delivered as a cloud service and enables Zero Trust access based on the identity of the device or entity, combined with context, security, and compliance policies. This architecture is designed to support secure access use cases for branches, remote workers, and on-premises users.
The SASE architecture has four main characteristics: it is identity-driven, cloud-native, supports all edges, and is globally distributed. Being identity-driven means that the user's identity forms the basis of risk-based access policies. These policies take into account the user's device posture, the sensitivity of the data or application being accessed, and the desired action. A cloud-native architecture is elastic, self-healing, and self-managed. Delivered as a global cloud service, it can quickly adapt to emerging business needs and make all network and security capabilities available everywhere. Supporting all edges means that SASE offers consistent security and optimization to any enterprise edge, including on-premises and cloud data centers, branch offices, and even individual users or devices. Finally, being globally distributed is crucial for providing low-latency network and security capabilities to all users and business locations, regardless of their geographical location.
SASE addresses the decentralization caused by increased cloud adoption, mobile access, and remote work. By integrating comprehensive security services directly into the network fabric, SASE enables security teams to effectively manage every access request, regardless of its origin. One of the main advantages of SASE lies in the fusion of network and security, which improves threat monitoring and detection while filling security gaps. SASE uses a distributed network of cloud-based points of presence (PoPs), strategically located worldwide, allowing users to connect to the nearest PoP, thus minimizing the distance data travels.
ZTNA is a core component of SASE. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) is a product or service that creates an identity- and context-based, logical access boundary around an application or a set of applications . Gartner defines ZTNA as products and services that create an identity- and context-based, logical access boundary that encompasses an enterprise user and an internally hosted application or set of applications . Applications are hidden from discovery, and access is restricted via a trust broker to a set of named entities . The broker verifies the identity, context, and policy adherence of the specified participants before allowing access and prohibits lateral movement elsewhere in the network . This removes public visibility of application assets and significantly reduces the attack surface .
The fundamental principle of ZTNA is Zero Trust: "never trust, always verify" . Unlike traditional security models that assume everything inside the network perimeter is trustworthy, ZTNA considers every user, device, and application potentially compromised until proven otherwise . Therefore, every request for access to resources must be strictly verified before being authorized .
Key features of ZTNA include:
There are mainly two types of ZTNA solutions: agent-initiated and service-initiated . In the agent-initiated approach, an agent is installed on the end-user's device, transmitting security information to a controller that manages authentication and connectivity . In the service-initiated approach, the networks hosting the applications have a connector that establishes outbound connections to a cloud-based ZTNA solution, thus isolating the applications from direct access .
ZTNA takes a user-to-application approach rather than a traditional network security approach, where the Internet becomes the new corporate network.
ZTNA is not just a standalone security approach; it integrates seamlessly and essentially into the SASE architecture. This integration allows companies to benefit from enhanced security, more flexible access, and increased protection against a wide range of threats.
Zero Trust Network Access is a fundamental pillar of the SASE architecture, providing granular and secure access to applications, which reinforces SASE's identity-driven approach . SASE, as a converged network and security platform, integrates ZTNA alongside other security services to offer a comprehensive security posture. This integration allows companies to secure remote access without resorting to traditional VPNs . VPNs often grant broad access to the network once a user is authenticated, which increases the risk of lateral movement in case of compromise. ZTNA, on the contrary, offers specific application access, significantly reducing this risk .
ZTNA within SASE supports various enterprise resources, including cloud workloads, work-from-home configurations, mobile devices, and on-premises assets, by applying consistent security policies across all network access points . This unified approach is essential for addressing the challenges of modern distributed IT environments. ZTNA's "deny all by default" principle, implemented within the SASE framework, strengthens overall network security and enables effective microsegmentation, limiting the spread of threats .
The other security components of SASE, such as NGFW and SWG, work in synergy with ZTNA to enforce defined access restrictions and provide comprehensive protection. NGFW (next-generation firewall) offers deep traffic inspection and intrusion prevention, while SWG (secure web gateway) protects against web-based threats. The integration of ZTNA with these services creates a more robust and multi-layered defense mechanism.
ZTNA provides the enforcement mechanism for the Zero Trust security model within the SASE architecture, ensuring that the principles of least privilege and continuous verification are applied to all access requests, regardless of the user's or resource's location. While SASE provides the platform for the delivery of various security services, ZTNA is an essential service that embodies the Zero Trust philosophy, making it indispensable for secure access in modern networks.
To understand the benefit of ZTNA for SASE, it is crucial to recognize that ZTNA brings the granularity and precise access control that are essential for securing today's distributed IT environments. SASE, by providing a unified platform, allows ZTNA to be applied consistently across the entire infrastructure, thus ensuring enhanced security and simplified management.
The combination of SASE and ZTNA offers a robust defense against a wide range of cyber threats, both external and internal, by applying strict access controls and continuously monitoring user and device behavior . ZTNA's "never trust" approach limits the attack surface and reduces the potential for unauthorized access and data breaches, while SASE provides a broader security framework with additional layers of protection.
ZTNA's principle of least privilege and specific application access effectively restrict lateral movement within the network in the event of a security breach, thus limiting the scope of an attack . By granting access only to necessary resources, ZTNA prevents attackers from easily moving to other sensitive parts of the network.
Each component of SASE plays a vital role in securing the various aspects of the digital environment, working in concert with ZTNA to create a holistic defense.
SASE's cloud-native and globally distributed architecture enhances the effectiveness of ZTNA by enabling security enforcement at the network edge, closer to users and applications, which helps reduce latency and improve overall security and performance . This distributed approach ensures that security policies are applied consistently and effectively, regardless of the user's location.
To use the concept of Zero Trust for SASE, it is essential to fully integrate ZTNA into the SASE architecture. ZTNA embodies the fundamental principles of Zero Trust by requiring strict verification of every user and device before granting access to resources. This approach, combined with the extensive security and network capabilities of SASE, enables companies to implement effective protection against modern cyber threats.
The synergy between SASE and ZTNA creates a robust and adaptive security framework that can effectively mitigate a wide range of cyber threats by combining granular access control with comprehensive security services and a cloud-native architecture . While ZTNA focuses on controlling access based on identity and context, SASE provides the infrastructure and additional security capabilities to deliver and enforce these controls at scale, resulting in a powerful and integrated security solution.
The combined adoption of SASE and ZTNA brings a multitude of tangible benefits to modern businesses, ranging from securing remote access to reducing costs and simplifying IT infrastructure, not to mention improving compliance and data protection.
SASE with integrated ZTNA offers secure and transparent access to cloud applications for remote workers, representing a superior alternative to traditional VPNs in terms of security, performance, and user experience . ZTNA's specific application access and continuous verification, combined with SASE's optimized network connectivity, ensure secure and efficient remote work. ZTNA, thanks to its identity-based and context-based access, ensures that only authorized users and devices can access specific cloud resources, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches in cloud environments .
SASE's optimized network routing ensures a smooth and reliable user experience for remote workers accessing cloud applications, improving productivity by reducing latency and ensuring consistent application performance . Efficient network performance is crucial for maintaining productivity in remote work scenarios. Additionally, the ability of SASE and ZTNA to support various devices and locations meets the flexibility requirements of modern remote work models, allowing employees to work securely from anywhere and on any device . This flexibility is vital for adapting to the evolving nature of work.
By providing secure, transparent, and high-performing access to cloud applications without the complexities and security vulnerabilities of traditional VPNs, SASE and ZTNA significantly improve the remote work experience and productivity . The combination of granular access control, optimized network performance, and support for various devices and locations makes SASE and ZTNA an ideal solution for enabling secure and effective remote work.
SASE's cloud-native architecture reduces the need for multiple disparate security and network appliances, leading to significant savings in hardware, software, maintenance, and operating expenses . The consolidation of vendors and technologies under a single SASE platform streamlines management and reduces the total cost of ownership. SASE's centralized management simplifies IT infrastructure and reduces the complexity of managing access policies, security configurations, and updates through a single dashboard . This simplifies operations, reduces the risk of errors, and frees up IT resources for more strategic tasks.
The scalability and elasticity of cloud-based SASE solutions allow companies to easily adapt to changing needs and user growth without significant upfront investments in hardware or infrastructure upgrades . SASE's subscription model can offer predictable operating expenses compared to the capital-intensive nature of traditional solutions. ZTNA's granular access control can help optimize resource utilization and reduce costs associated with over-provisioning by ensuring that users only have access to the specific applications and data they need for their roles . This principle of least privilege contributes to efficient resource management and reduces potential security risks.
The cloud-native convergence of network and security in SASE, combined with ZTNA's precise access control, leads to significant reductions in IT infrastructure costs and simplifies management, offering a more efficient and agile approach compared to legacy and hardware-focused systems . By moving away from a complex set of hardware appliances and adopting a cloud-delivered model, companies can achieve substantial savings and streamline their IT operations.
SASE and ZTNA help organizations meet stringent regulatory compliance requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS by providing robust security controls, comprehensive data protection measures, and detailed audit trails . These regulations impose specific practices regarding data security and processing that SASE and ZTNA are well-equipped to address. SASE's integrated Data Loss Prevention (DLP) capabilities, working in tandem with ZTNA's identity-based granular access control, significantly enhance the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data by preventing unauthorized access and exfiltration . This combination ensures that sensitive information is protected both in transit and at rest, and that access is strictly controlled.
SASE offers complete visibility into network traffic, user activity, and data access patterns, which is crucial for continuous compliance monitoring, generating audit reports, and rapid detection and response to potential security incidents or policy violations . This increased visibility helps organizations demonstrate their compliance with regulatory requirements and maintain a strong security posture. ZTNA's fundamental principles of continuous verification and least privilege access help limit the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data, ensuring that only authenticated and authorized users can access the specific resources they need, which is a fundamental requirement of many data protection regulations . By minimizing the attack surface and controlling access at a granular level, ZTNA plays a crucial role in data protection and compliance.
Reemo positions itself as a provider of secure remote access solutions that are based on the principles of Zero Trust and align with the foundations of a SASE architecture, focusing on simplifying secure access and enhancing collaboration . Reemo emphasizes Zero Trust security, offering secure access to applications and workstations without ever exposing the underlying network, thus reducing the attack surface .
Reemo's containerized approach to application and workstation access inherently supports ZTNA principles by isolating user sessions and limiting access to only authorized resources . Reemo offers key features such as granular role-based access control, advanced access scheduling, and network invisibility to enhance security and simplify management . Additionally, Reemo is committed to providing a powerful and transparent user experience with near-zero latency, even for resource-intensive applications, which is crucial for enabling productive remote work .
Reemo provides comprehensive solutions to companies in deploying SASE and ZTNA architectures specifically tailored to their unique needs and existing IT infrastructure . Reemo offers flexible deployment options, including support for cloud, private cloud, and on-premises environments, allowing organizations to choose the model that best suits their needs . Reemo also offers seamless integration capabilities with existing identity management systems which simplifies user authentication and authorization processes . Reemo's intuitive and centralized administration dashboard provides IT teams with complete visibility and control over user access, permissions, and application usage, thus simplifying security management .
Reemo offers an integrated solution that allows organizations to easily manage remote access by adopting a Zero Trust policy . Reemo's platform combines solutions such as secure remote desktop, browser isolation, secure applications accesses through containers, all based on zero trust principles to offer a comprehensive and multi-layered security solution for remote work scenarios . Reemo positions itself as a modern and high-performance replacement for traditional VPNs, leveraging a ZTNA architecture to provide secure and efficient remote access to workstations and applications . Furthermore, Reemo focuses on providing a seamless user experience with near-zero latency, ensuring that remote workers can access their resources and collaborate effectively without performance issues . Discover how Reemo facilitates the adoption of a Zero Trust policy and the management of remote access to applications through the Reemo containers solution.