3 things you need to know about SASE and SD-WAN
Trusted Advisor for IT & Telecommunications Sourcing
SASE vs. SD-WAN: What are the differences? And what suits you?
How companies can future-proof their network security
SD-WAN lays the network foundation, SASE adds integrated security. SAVECALL shows what fits your strategy.
As companies increasingly support distributed working models, they need to rethink their network infrastructure. SD-WAN and SASE are at the heart of modern connectivity and security strategies. Both pursue the goal of making networks more agile, secure and cloud-optimized, but their approach differs significantly.
In a nutshell:
- Central management: SD-WAN offers a virtualized control level and flexibly connects locations via MPLS, LTE or broadband.
- No native security: SD-WAN optimizes data traffic, but requires additional security components such as firewalls or gateways.
- SASE integrates security: SASE combines SD-WAN functionality with security features such as SWG, CASB, ZTNA and FWaaS, directly in the cloud.
- Decentralized architecture: SASE checks data locally via global points of presence (POPs) instead of via central hubs, this increases speed and scalability.
- Holistic protection: With functions such as anti-malware, MDR and Zero Trust, SASE creates a consistent security framework for hybrid working environments.
The solution: SD-WAN lays the foundation, SASE extends it with security. SAVECALL compares leading SASE platforms vendor-neutrally and plans the right strategy for your infrastructure.
What this article covers: This article explains the difference between SD-WAN and SASE, the core SASE components defined by Gartner, and SASE’s mesh topology compared to classic hub-and-spoke. The core question: Do you just want to make your network more efficient, or develop it into a secure, future-proof part of your digital strategy at the same time?
How can SASE and SD-WAN be compared?
As companies increasingly need to support and integrate a distributed workforce, many IT decision-makers are fundamentally rethinking their networks. SD-WAN (Software-defined Wide Area Network) and SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) are coming into focus. The similarities between the two often lead to confusion, both pursue new approaches to make company networks more secure and easier to manage. It is therefore important to know the differences and the interaction between SD-WAN and SASE.
SASE encompasses and extends the SD-WAN principles
Since SD-WAN has gained in importance, the focus has been on optimizing and securely terminating data traffic across distributed locations. To achieve this, SD-WAN uses a virtualized control layer that flexibly combines broadband, MPLS or LTE. Centralized management makes it easier for companies to efficiently connect home offices and branch offices.
However, SD-WAN was never designed for security controls. To minimize risks, additional web gateways and firewalls are required, so traffic must pass through central checkpoints. This reduces flexibility and performance, especially in cloud and remote environments, as data has to be routed back into the company network or to the cloud.
SASE combines the central management of SD-WAN with integrated security functions, cloud-based and provided directly at the network edge.
SASE integrates the most important security controls
When Gartner first defined the SASE category in 2019, it set out the five minimum components. SASE technology combines SD-WAN network controls with four other security control functions:
- Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
- Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
- Zero Trust Network Architecture (ZTNA)
- Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)
As SASE technology has evolved, additional features such as next-generation anti-malware and managed detection and response have been added to create a more comprehensive suite of security management capabilities.
The SASE topology: mesh instead of hub-and-spoke
The security functions are bundled in a single SASE cloud service. Security checks are carried out via distributed SASE Points of Presence (POPs). These POPs are located close to the respective connecting device, so that data traffic is checked locally without any detours. The SASE topology works like a meshed network, replacing the rigid hub-and-spoke model of classic SD-WAN architectures.
How SAVECALL supports your SASE and SD-WAN strategy
SAVECALL guides you step by step through your SASE and SD-WAN strategy, matched to your current infrastructure and aligned with your goals: security, performance, business enablement. Vendor-neutral and comparing leading SASE platforms such as Zscaler or Cato.
Conclusion: thinking about SASE and SD-WAN together
Many companies are reluctant to introduce SD-WAN for fear of transitional difficulties, and SASE can add to these concerns. Yet SD-WAN is not a prerequisite for starting with SASE: SASE extends SD-WAN but can also be implemented separately. Which path fits depends on your existing infrastructure and your goals.
Written by
Frank Frommknecht
Key Account Consultant, SAVECALL
Has supported companies for over 20 years in selecting and optimizing their connectivity solutions. His focus: making complex telecommunications understandable from the customer’s perspective and strategically finding the right solution.
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Sources
- SAVECALL, “Enterprise IT Security: SASE, XDR & Cloud”, savecall.de/en/security
- SAVECALL, “XDR for Businesses: Providers & Solutions”, savecall.de/en/xdr
- SAVECALL, “SASE Providers Compared: Zscaler, Cato & Co”, savecall.de/sase-anbieter-vergleich
Frequently asked questions about SASE and SD-WAN
SD-WAN optimizes and connects distributed sites via a virtualized control layer that flexibly combines MPLS, broadband or LTE, but was never designed for security controls. SASE combines exactly this SD-WAN functionality with integrated security features such as SWG, CASB, ZTNA and FWaaS, delivered directly in the cloud. In short: SD-WAN delivers connectivity, SASE delivers connectivity and security in one.
When Gartner defined the SASE category in 2019, it set out five minimum components: SD-WAN as the network foundation plus four security control functions, namely Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Zero Trust Network Architecture (ZTNA) and Firewall as a Service (FWaaS). Since then, further features such as next-generation anti-malware and managed detection and response have been added to expand the security package.
SD-WAN optimizes traffic between sites but does not bring its own security functions. To minimize risk, additional web gateways and firewalls are needed, meaning traffic has to pass through central checkpoints. This reduces flexibility and performance, especially in cloud and remote environments, since data first has to be routed back into the corporate network or to the cloud.
Classic, secure SD-WAN usually follows a hub-and-spoke model, where traffic runs through central nodes. SASE security functions, by contrast, are bundled in a SASE cloud service and run via distributed points of presence (POPs) close to the respective connecting device. This creates a mesh topology that checks data traffic locally, without detours via central hubs.
No, SD-WAN is not a prerequisite for starting with SASE. SASE extends the principles of SD-WAN but can also be implemented independently. Which path makes more sense depends on the existing infrastructure and the company’s goals, such as security, performance or business enablement.
SASE is particularly relevant for companies with cloud applications, distributed sites and home office staff, since the security functions apply regardless of location. With features such as anti-malware, managed detection and response and Zero Trust, SASE creates a consistent security framework for hybrid working environments. SAVECALL compares SASE providers neutrally and plans the rollout to fit your existing infrastructure.
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