SASE instead of VPN: the secure solution for hybrid working
Trusted Advisor for IT & Telecommunications Sourcing
Why VPN is reaching its limits
Until 2020, the daily commute to the office was standard. Then came the lockdown and with it the realization that traditional IT structures quickly reach their limits when it comes to remote work.
The common solution, VPN, became mandatory in the short term.
But it soon became clear:
- Not scalable
- Uncertain
- Inefficient
The result: a rethink.
The term Modern Workplace became established. Hybrid working became a permanent condition and with it the need to rethink IT infrastructures.
VPN as a discontinued model?
During the pandemic, VPN access was quickly ramped up. But VPN was never designed for widespread remote access.
Problems with VPN:
- Limited licenses
- Unstable connections
- High administrative costs
These weaknesses were quickly felt in everyday work. The more employees accessed the network at the same time, the clearer it became that a single tunnel is not a viable basis for permanent remote work. What was intended as a stopgap for a few weeks turned into a constant burden for IT departments. Instead of piecemeal follow-up work, what was needed was an approach that builds in security and scalability from the outset.
This is where SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) comes in. The cloud-native architecture combines network functions with integrated security and is increasingly competing with traditional VPNs.
Rethinking IT infrastructure
A modern workplace is no longer measured by the office location, but by how reliably and securely it works from anywhere. This also shifts what is expected of IT: it should not only be available, but actively make work easier. From this expectation, four requirements emerge that today determine whether a solution is accepted:
- Personalization
- Security
- Sustainability
- Flexibility
This also increases the demands on the network infrastructure:
- Introduction of SD-WAN for more control and better connectivity
- Introduction of UCaaS solutions such as Microsoft Teams or RingCentral
- Rollout of IoT applications and smart devices
- Securing home office environments with Zero Trust and SASE
Why SASE is the better VPN alternative
Compared to VPN, SASE offers many advantages for the modern working world:
- Scalability: grows with you, no matter how many remote workstations are added.
- Security: Zero Trust architecture, access policies and integrated protection against cyber attacks.
- Performance: intelligent routing via local nodes.
- Ease of use: simple setup, consistent user experience everywhere.
The decisive difference lies in the approach. A VPN extends the existing corporate network outward and largely trusts the user after login. SASE reverses this principle: network and security sit in the cloud, and every access is checked individually, regardless of where it comes from. This way the infrastructure adapts to the way people work today, instead of securing it after the fact.
In a nutshell:
- Future-proof replacement for VPN
- Sustainably optimized remote access
- More security, better performance, greater flexibility
SASE protects the weakest link: the home office
Today, the home office is often the entry point for cyber attacks:
- Private devices
- Unprotected networks
- Lack of IT control
Each of these points is manageable on its own. In combination they become an entry point that traditional protection mechanisms easily overlook. A centrally managed VPN usually only sees the traffic that runs through the tunnel, but not the unsecured environment in which the device actually sits. This is exactly the gap closed by an approach that ties security directly to access.
SASE protects exactly where conventional VPNs reach their limits.
Companies must take responsibility > together with their employees.
Cybersecurity starts at home.
How SAVECALL supports the switch to SASE
SAVECALL advises vendor-neutral on the switch from VPN to SASE. We analyze your existing infrastructure, develop a suitable Zero Trust strategy and compare providers independently through our carrier network. This way you find the solution that fits your locations, user numbers and security requirements, without being tied to a single vendor.
Conclusion: SASE is more than just a VPN replacement
SASE is not just another security feature, it is a new way of thinking. For companies that want to make their infrastructure future-proof, secure and scalable.
SASE makes hybrid working safe, efficient and flexible.
Now is the right time to make the switch.
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 finding the right solution strategically.
Why
Telecom & IT sourcing. Worldwide. Carrier-independent.
Selection & operation of worldwide connectivity & cloud infrastructure. Without vendor risk & unnecessary costs.
- 80+ carriers worldwide
- One point of contact
- One SLA
- One portal: mySAVECALL
- Min. 20% savings
25+
years of experience
40+
Employees
80+
Partner
1400+ Clients
Sources
- Gartner: Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) definition
- BSI: IT baseline protection and secure mobile working
- SAVECALL: Security solutions for companies
Frequently asked questions
A VPN builds an encrypted tunnel between the device and the corporate network and routes traffic centrally through the data center. SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) is a cloud-native architecture that combines network functions and security and secures access in a decentralized way via local nodes. While VPN mainly provides connectivity, SASE checks every access on a zero-trust basis and scales with the number of remote workstations. SAVECALL assesses vendor-neutral whether and how a switch makes sense for your environment.
VPN was never designed for widespread remote access. With many simultaneous users, typical weaknesses appear: limited licenses, unstable connections and high administrative effort. Because all traffic runs through a central tunnel, bottlenecks and latency arise. In addition, a classic VPN largely trusts the user after login, which is a security risk in the home office with private devices and unprotected networks. This is exactly where SASE comes in with decentralized, verified access.
SASE stands for Secure Access Service Edge and describes a cloud-native architecture that bundles network and security functions into a single service. This includes software-defined routing, access control on a zero-trust basis and integrated protection against cyber attacks. Instead of routing traffic through a central data center, SASE connects users via distributed nodes close to the location. This improves performance and security at the same time and makes the infrastructure scalable.
Zero Trust is the security principle, SASE is the architecture that implements it. Zero Trust means that no access is trusted automatically; instead, every request is checked based on identity, device and context. SASE integrates this check directly into network access, so employees get the same secured access everywhere. Especially in the home office, the most common entry point for cyber attacks, this combination protects where traditional VPNs reach their limits.
SASE is particularly worthwhile for companies with many remote or hybrid workstations, distributed locations and growing security requirements. Anyone familiar with VPN bottlenecks, high administrative effort or security gaps in the home office benefits from the scalability and integrated protection. SASE is also a solid foundation when rolling out SD-WAN, UCaaS solutions or IoT applications. SAVECALL assesses, based on your locations, user numbers and requirements, whether a switch makes economic sense.
The switch usually happens gradually, not as a hard cut. It starts with an inventory of current access, locations and security requirements. Critical applications and sites are then prioritized and SASE is introduced in parallel with the existing VPN until the legacy setup can be retired. A clean zero-trust policy and involving employees are important. SAVECALL supports the process vendor-neutral, from the concept through carrier selection to implementation.
Articles you might also like
Trusted Advisor for IT & Telecommunications Sourcing
What drives you forward – & what drives
Book a free expert consultation
ONE Contact. ALL Carriers.
+FAQ
You ask.
