SASE & Voice.

What is SASE?

Gartner describes SASE as a collection of edge technologies that “combines network security functions such as Secure Web Gateways (SWG), Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB), Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) and Zero Trust Network Architecture (ZTNA), with WAN capabilities (i.e. SDWAN) to support the dynamic secure access needs of organisations.

According to Gartner, there are major benefits to working with a single SASE vendor who can provide the full range of technologies, capabilities, and network coverage today’s hybrid and remote working model demands. This is exactly what Connect offers, with our comprehensive SASE solution, Global Network, and flexible deployment options.

Why SASE? Why now?

Since the pandemic hit, remote working has become the norm, and the role of the office is evolving to become a collaboration space. This has put a major strain on the technology infrastructure, from collaboration platforms and tools, to the networks that connect remote workers.

A primary concern is security. In the past, it was possible to protect the majority of applications and traffic behind office-based firewalls, but no longer. A few offices have now been replaced by hundreds, or even thousands, of distributed endpoints, meaning centralised security tools are now impractical, and often totally ineffective.

For all of these reasons, leading analysts – in particular Gartner – are charting a shift from centralised firewalls, VPNs and other access and security technologies, to more distributed solutions at the network edge.

This approach, which has become known as SASE, supports faster, more reliable, highly secure connectivity between employees, cloud platforms, apps, and other IT resources.

In other words, it’s a networking architecture – a way of thinking, even – designed for remote and hybrid working.