What are Zero Trust and SASE?

Zero Trust and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) are security frameworks that simplify network and security management while enhancing protection for modern IT environments.

A Zero Trust approach to security requires all users and devices to be constantly authenticated and validated before receiving access to IT resources within a network. This approach is the opposite of traditional network security practices, where anyone or anything inside the secure network was perimeter was considered trustworthy. 

By trusting nothing and always verifying, Zero Trust shrinks the attack surface and prevents attackers who have successfully breached one part of the network from moving laterally to compromise other targets.

SASE is a framework for architecting and securing IT networks that combines a Software-defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) with cloud-based security solutions. Delivered via the cloud, SASE solutions increase security and improve connectivity for hybrid workforces while simplifying network and security management for IT teams.

Both Zero Trust and SASE can be part of a multi-layered approach to architecting and securing a modern IT environment. Both technologies seek to provide security by focusing on dynamic parameters, segmentation, user authentication and protection for cloud assets. Zero Trust Network Access products are a core component of a SASE environment, and the security elements of a SASE deployment can help to achieve Zero Trust cloud security, Zero Trust network app security and Zero Trust data security.

A Zero Trust approach to security embraces several key principles and practices.

Never trust, always verify

Technologies and policies in a Zero Trust company deny access by default until a user or device has been authenticated and is continuously validated. This approach prevents attackers or unauthorized users from gaining unfettered access to large sections of the network.

Assume breach

In a Zero Trust environment, security teams assume that a breach is already underway, accelerating efforts to identify and remediate threats as soon as possible.

Grant least-privilege access

The principle of least privilege gives users and devices only as much access as they need for a legitimate business reason at any moment. Broad permission to access IT resources is never granted. 

Monitor continuously 

Zero Trust requires security teams to constantly monitor the network for threats, tracking data, activity and devices on the network to prevent misuse of resources.

Protect assets with microsegmentation

Microsegmentation creates security perimeters around small sections of the network or individual assets and workloads. This prevents a successful breach in one part of the network from impacting security elsewhere.

SASE architecture combines SD-WAN with multiple cloud-based security solutions known as the Security Service Edge (SSE). In addition to Zero Trust Network Access solutions, these technologies include Secure Web Gateways (SWGs) that inspect web traffic, and Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) that monitor traffic to and from the cloud.

While there is no single blueprint for architecting a SASE network, solutions from Secure Access Service Edge vendors share several common characteristics.

• Combined network and security services. With SASE, networking and security functions that were once handled separately are combined on the same platform to improve security, simplify management and enhance network performance. 
• Centralized control. SASE solutions provide a unified framework that helps administrators consistently enforce security policies across the organization. 
• Self-healing networks. SD-WAN enables network traffic to work around disruptions like outages and poor performance, adapting quickly to real-time conditions to ensure local connectivity and access to essential services.
• Security at the edge. By moving security functions out of centralized data centers and to the network edge, SASE environments reduce latency and enable users to securely connect from anywhere. 
• Identity-focused. SASE uses strong user authentication to improve security in highly distributed networks.

Organizations that consolidate Zero Trust and SASE solutions on a single, integrated platform can realize several critical benefits.

• Comprehensive, multilayered security. Zero Trust and SASE models for networking and security provide greater visibility into IT environments and eliminate security gaps and silos. These security frameworks also adjust security strategies for the realities of networking and computing in a business environment dominated by highly distributed networks and hybrid workforces.
• Greater scalability. As solutions that rely on cloud-based technology, Zero Trust and SASE solutions can easily scale up or down as the organization’s needs change and market conditions demand.
• Less complexity. Combining Zero Trust and SASE can help to streamline the security stack, enhance integration and reduce the complexity of managing networking and security functions.
• Simpler management. Zero Trust and SASE solutions typically automate many of the routine aspects of security, reducing the burden on IT staff members who are then freed to focus on higher value, more strategic tasks.

Forcepoint ONE is an all-on-one, cloud-data security platform that combines single-vendor SASE solutions with Zero Trust solutions. Forcepoint ONE makes security simple for distributed organizations that need to adapt quickly to changing remote and hybrid workforces. With Forcepoint ONE, network and security administrators can manage one set of policies from one console, communicating with one endpoint agent.

With Forcepoint’s Zero Trust and SASE technology, organizations and IT teams can:

• Modernize access. Forcepoint ONE integrates with Forcepoint FlexEdge Secure SD-WAN to modernize access. Forcepoint provides support for offices and remote sites and enables secure use of BYOD and unmanaged devices.
• Support Zero Trust. IT teams can implement identity-based access control on any device used by employees, contractors and guests while following the Zero Trust principle of least privilege.
• Secure data. Forcepoint enables teams to establish a data security policy once and apply it everywhere that data travels within the network with a few simple clicks.
• Track value. Forcepoint ONE includes the Insights analytics platform that helps IT teams visualize how much value security programs have generated across cloud, web and private app channels by thwarting cyber threats.